BEING A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER ISN’T A PHOTO BOOTH
I’m a DOCUMENTARY wedding photographer. That word matters. I’m not here to take “a quick pic” requested by a guest between the parking lot and the cemetery — or right in the middle of cocktail hour.
That moment when someone turns to me, freezes a smile and drops: “A quick photo?”, finger pointing up. And then… something happens inside me. A tiny inner scream. Because I already know that:
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First, I’m not a dog you whistle for to come serve you
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The photo will be bad (sorry, it’s math: awful light, flat angle, nothing that vibrates)
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It will tell nothing
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It will pollute the story
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And most of all, no one will look at it later. Not even you, darling nuisance…
And you know what? The couple doesn’t care. They want the laughs, the hugs, the moments of grace or glorious mess. Not an awkward portrait in the middle of the dancefloor.
documentary wedding photographer emotion
LET’S STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING FROM A BIG CAMERA DESERVES TO EXIST
No, just because I’m holding a big camera doesn’t mean that sneaked shot will matter more than the one you can take with your phone. It’s not about pixels; it’s about truth.
And no, being in the photo isn’t saying “hey, take my picture,” it’s living that moment fully, being there, for real. That’s what makes a beautiful image: when you live it. Not when you pose.
And honestly, asking me to “take a photo” is like saying “hey, watch me pretend to be someone I’m not for two seconds, just to freeze thin air.” It has zero emotional meaning, and that’s exactly why it never works.
What makes a beautiful image: when you live it. Not when you pose.
IF YOU WANT TO BE IN THE STORY, BE IN IT FOR REAL
Want a beautiful photo of you at this wedding? Perfect. Share a glass with the bride. Get swept into a laugh. Throw yourself into a moonwalk that goes gloriously wrong. That’s where you’ll be photographed. And that’s where it becomes magic.
And seriously… it’s not your wedding. You’re not the subject. You’re part of the scene, a link in the story, a precious guest because you’re part of their life. What the couple wants to keep isn’t your eyes locking the lens. It’s your energy, your role in their story, what you were feeling in that instant.
MEMORIES MAKER
WHAT I’D TELL MY BEST FRIEND (OR YOU, IF YOU’RE READY TO HEAR IT)
From a wedding photographer with love: that kind of photo — the one you ask for between two peanuts — is pointless. It’s not the one you’ll frame. It’s not the one that brings tears in twenty years. It’s not the one the couple will rewatch on repeat.
But you know what? Do whatever you want. Whether you’re the bride, the cousin, the best man or just someone who loves being in photos, you can ask. And I can say no — or smile in silence, hoping you go back to dance.
This is my blog, my space, my lens. I’m sharing my view, honestly. You can disagree. But if you’re looking for a documentary photographer who shoots what truly matters, now you know exactly what to expect with me.
PS: The photos in this article aren’t representative of the content. They’re just here to look pretty, not to illustrate the party crashers.
AND WHAT ABOUT GROUP PHOTOS?
Yes, we’re talking about those “quick pics” grabbed on the fly with no meaning. But a group photo is something else. It’s posed, sure, but with style, energy, intention. It’s a moment we plan and live together, not something yelled across the chips.
If you want to see how group photos can be seriously cool, have a look at this article: Group photos that rock — yes, it’s possible!
Getting married soon?
Whether it’s Lyon, Bangkok or the other side of the world, I’m ready to follow wherever your story takes us!
Shall we talk and make it real?
