What is Documentary Wedding Photography?
Documentary wedding photography is all about storytelling. Instead of staging or directing, I capture real moments as they unfold. The laughter during the speeches, the nerves before the ceremony, the fleeting glance between you and your partner, these are the moments that truly matter.
You might also hear terms like wedding photojournalism, wedding reportage, or candid wedding photography. They are all largely interchangeable and describe a natural, unobtrusive way of photographing weddings. If there’s any distinction at all, it’s usually down to personal branding or style emphasis:
- Documentary wedding photography often highlights the idea of telling your story in an honest, chronological way.
- Wedding reportage borrows from magazine and newspaper reportage, focusing on observation without intrusion.
- Wedding photojournalism emphasises the journalistic quality of truthfully recording an event.
- Candid wedding photography is the simplest description — real, unposed, in-the-moment.
But whichever term you prefer, the heart of it is the same: authentic photography that reflects the real atmosphere of your day.
My Approach
I work quietly in the background, letting you and your guests enjoy the wedding without constant interruptions for staged shots. My focus is on people, interactions, humour, emotions, and those fleeting, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them moments.
Rather than creating an artificial version of your wedding, I aim to give you a gallery that feels alive. A set of images that will transport you back to the atmosphere of the day — the nerves, the joy, the chaos, the warmth.
Of course, if you’d like a few relaxed portraits or traditional group shots, I’ll happily make time for them. But my speciality, and the main reason couples book me, is my documentary wedding photojournalism.
Why Street Photography Shapes My Wedding Work
My approach doesn’t come from studying wedding photographers — it comes from years of working as a candid street photographer. On the streets, you learn to anticipate the unpredictable, to find humour in the everyday, and to frame fleeting moments with honesty and immediacy. You can read more about what street photography is here.
This background directly influences how I photograph weddings. Instead of setting up picture-perfect poses, I’m tuned in to the unscripted and human. Weddings, after all, are not too different from the streets: full of character, colour, emotions, and the unexpected.
I draw more inspiration from Garry Winogrand, Tony Ray-Jones, Joel Meyerowitz, Jeff Mermelstein, William Eggleston, and Martin Parr than from any wedding photographer. Their influence shapes my use of colour, timing, humour, and the way I approach each wedding as a living, breathing story.
My Promise to You
Your wedding day isn’t a photoshoot, it’s one of the most important days of your life. My job is to document it truthfully, with all its beauty, chaos, and humour. The result is a set of photographs that will feel timeless, personal, and uniquely yours.
Ready to Chat About Your Wedding?
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who will capture your day with honesty, humour, and a snapshot aesthetic, I’d love to hear from you. I’m based in North Somerset, in the South West of England, near Bristol but shoot weddings all across the UK and beyond.
Get in touch with me today to check availability and tell me all about your wedding plans.
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That Darren Lehane 