FAQs
What is documentary photography, and why is it important?
In the current wedding industry, “documentary” is often used as shorthand for a specific aesthetic: excessive grain, motion blur, or harsh on-camera flash. To me, those are stylistic choices, not documentary ones. I use a simple litmus test: If I weren’t in the room, would this moment still have happened? If the answer is yes, that is a documentary photograph. I’m there to recognize beauty and the subtleties in human interaction, not to manufacture a performance.
If you aren’t directing or posing us, what are you actually doing for 8 hours? Will we feel like we’re being watched?
My clients and their friends are usually pretty smart and funny, so I find myself laughing a lot on wedding days. I might even make a funny observation of my own where appropriate. So, I’m not quiet in the corner, but I also avoid being a distraction. Clients often describe my presence as a calm, warm energy.
When I’m at your wedding, I’m looking for the things I’d want to remember if I were in your shoes: the way your dad looks at you when he thinks no one is watching, or the specific way your best friend laughs. I’m analyzing light and monitoring the emotional weather of a room in pursuit of the moments you would expect but also the surprises that pop up on a wedding day. While I will never steer the energy, I am very active in documenting it. I can also help with boutonnieres or carry a bag if you run out of hands : )
What happens if the day feels "messy" or doesn't go to plan?
I believe the messy and ordinary moments are what we become most nostalgic for years later. I don't stop the day to correct anything. I document the energy and beauty of the day exactly as it unfolds. My job is to honor the truth of the moment, because the most meaningful memories aren't the ones we carefully curated, they’re the ones that actually happened. That doesn’t mean the photos are messy. By moving one step to the right or getting a little lower I can clean up the background of an image. Just because the environments I work in can be chaotic doesn’t mean my compositions aren’t thoughtful and captured with purpose.
I hate being photographed. How do I survive 8 hours of this?
Let me guess. You can’t wait to celebrate with your friends and family but have a complicated relationship with being the center of attention. I hear some version of this from 95% of the couples I work with. Add in photography and the feelings get more complicated. I have the same camera-shyness. For me it took root back in those awkward middle school years. Oof.
Here’s a secret: being "photogenic" is usually just a code word for "I’m good at hiding my nerves behind a rehearsed smile." Luckily, everybody looks their best when they are entirely present and reacting to a joke, feeling the weight of a moment, or finally relaxing into a hug. My job isn't to fix you. It’s to catch the light when it hits the most honest version of you. Unless a photojournalist has shadowed you for a newspaper or magazine feature, you have never been photographed like this before.
I want my photos to be authentic, but I also want to look good. How do you handle that?
There is a common worry that "documentary" means "unflattering." I believe the opposite: you look your best when you are actually at ease and engaged with the people you love, rather than stiffly following a photographer’s instructions. Also, I don’t take pictures of people while they chew food. If an image taken at 1/250 of a second awkwardly captures an expression in transition I don’t include it in the final delivery. I only include the image taken half a second later where everything is aligned. I got your back : )
How does your Photojournalism background affect how you shoot a wedding?
In the editorial world, you have to be fast, invisible, and ready for anything. I bring that same discipline to your wedding. It means I have a high degree of situational awareness. I can read a room, predict an emotional peak before it happens, and work in any lighting condition without breaking the flow of the moment. For you, this means a gallery that feels like a cohesive, professional narrative rather than just a collection of disconnected snapshots.
I’m on board with the documentary approach, but what about Family portraits?
Your family and couple portraits carry just as much weight as the documentary moments. However, most of my couples prefer to keep formal posing to an absolute minimum. We typically need only 15–30 minutes for family groups and 15 minutes for couple portraits.
During this window, I shift gears. I take the lead and provide clear direction to keep things moving smoothly and efficiently. While portraiture is inherently unnatural, I move beyond stiff posing to find your genuine expressions. Even in these brief formal moments, I bring a documentary sensibility to ensure your portraits feel like you.
Does my wedding need a second photographer?
Probably not. My process relies on blending in to honor the true purpose of your wedding. Think of me like the hum of a refrigerator: you know I’m there, but eventually, you stop paying attention.
I prioritize quality over quantity. I’m not there to capture everything, but to capture most things in a way that elicits real memories. I’ve shot 400+ weddings and fewer than 20 couples have ever added on a second photographer. In an industry where second shooters are often students or amateurs, it’s important to remember that two photographers doesn’t mean twice the quality. I’m happy to discuss if your specific logistics might be the exception.
Do you use a flash?
I rarely use flash before the dancing starts, as I believe natural light is what makes a space unique. I’ll often choose a darker, moodier, or motion-blurred frame over an artificially lit one to preserve the actual feel of the room. I only bring out the flash if it’s the only way to effectively capture the substance of a moment. I never use it to mimic a trendy style.
How Many Photographers have Trusted you to shoot their weddings?
More than 27.