Documentary vs Editorial Photography in Weddings: Choosing the style for you.
When planning a wedding, photography is one of the key elements to consider from the very beginning. Finding the right photographer for you is not an easy task. There are countless options available, different price ranges and also different styles of photography that can make your decision feel overwhelming. At the end, what truly matters is choosing someone who resonates with your vision and aligns with your personality as a couple.
If you’re hosting a destination wedding, you may check out this article where I explain the non-negotiables when choosing your photographer.
There are two main photography styles that you will encounter when searching for a person to capture your special day: Documentary and Editorial. These approaches are very different and will influence the way that you are guided in front of the camera, depending on your experience with posing and being photographed.
“There are two distinct roads in photography: the utilitarian and the aesthetic; the goal of the one being a record of the facts, and the other an expression of beauty” - Charles Caffin, 1901
Documentary Photography
This style comes from the roots of photojournalism, where the goal is to portray reality as honestly as possible (keeping in mind that photography is never entirely objetive).
In weddings, documentary photography translates into natural, relaxed and truthful imagery of the events that unfold throughout the day. The photographer acts as an observer, intervening only when necessary and letting moments unfold organically.
Editorial Photography
The editorial technique, on the other hand, comes from a different background: fashion magazines. This style is mainly focused on the aesthetics and is completely directed by the photographer/director.
In weddings, editorial style results in staged and posed images, designed to look polish and refined, almost like fine art.
Choosing one style over the other can be a key factor when selecting a photographer for your wedding. If you have experience in front of a camera, you feel confortable with posing and you want a more refined look for your photos, an editorial approach might be a better fit.
If you are not experienced in front of a camera, you prefer a more natural look to you images, someone that can capture the essence and true emotions of the day, documentary photography may suit you better.
The right photographer will be someone who understands you. Every couple has its own rhythm, its own way of loving, and its own expectations for how their story should be told. That is why selecting a photographer whose vision aligns with your personality and your needs is just as important as choosing a venue, a planner, or even a dress.
Some couples will feel most themselves in front of a camera with thoughtful direction, others will thrive in the quiet authenticity of a documentary approach, where emotions unfold freely. There is no right or wrong choice, only the one that resonates with who you are.
And yet, there is also space between both worlds.
For couples who seek images that feel honest but also beautifully composed, natural yet thoughtfully crafted, a blended approach can offer the best of both. This is the space where my work lives. My goal is to honor the truth of your day while elevating its visual narrative with intention, ensuring that your memories feel real, but also timeless.
I see wedding photography as a way of documenting a deeply personal and unique event, one centered on the memories of the couple and not in the aesthetics of the day. I’m a strong believer that weddings should be lived and felt, not performed for the camera or for social media.
In the end, what truly defines a wedding is not its budget or its aesthetics, but the people in it. Choosing a photographer who sees that, who sees you, will shape how you remember your day for the rest of your lives.
