If you’ve been researching wedding photographers, chances are you’ve come across the terms documentary wedding photography and storytelling wedding photography — often used interchangeably, and sometimes causing more confusion than clarity.
The truth is, most couples don’t want rigid definitions. They want their wedding day captured honestly, naturally, and without it feeling staged.
This guide explains what these terms actually mean, how they overlap, and how most couples experience them in real life.
What Is Documentary Wedding Photography?
Documentary wedding photography focuses on capturing events as they naturally unfold, with minimal interruption or direction.
It’s about:
Real moments
Genuine emotion
Natural interactions
Letting the day happen as it happens
A documentary approach means the photographer observes rather than controls, blending into the background and quietly recording what’s going on.
This style is particularly popular for:
Morning preparations
Emotional moments
Reactions from guests
Candid interactions throughout the day
What Is Storytelling Wedding Photography?
In practice, there is very little difference.
Most photographers — and most couples — use the terms interchangeably.
Documentary focuses on how moments are captured (naturally, unobtrusively)
Storytelling focuses on how those moments come together to tell a complete narrative
For couples, both usually mean the same thing:
“We want real photos that feel like us.”
The Reality: Most Weddings Are a Blend
Here’s something that often gets missed in online discussions:
Very few weddings are 100% documentary.
Even the most relaxed wedding day usually includes:
Couple portraits
Family photographs
Group shots
Light guidance at key moments
Likewise, a storytelling approach doesn’t mean chaos or lack of structure — it simply means the structure is gentle and flexible.
This balanced approach is explained in more detail on my wedding photography style page, where I outline how I blend documentary, storytelling and relaxed guidance throughout the day.
Documentary, Storytelling… or Something in Between?
Most couples don’t fit neatly into one category — and that’s completely normal.
You might want:
Natural coverage for most of the day
A few relaxed couple portraits
Some family photos for parents and grandparents
Space to actually enjoy your wedding without feeling directed
This is where hybrid wedding photography comes in — combining documentary and storytelling coverage with calm guidance when it’s helpful.
What Matters More Than the Label
Rather than getting hung up on terminology, it’s more useful to ask:
Does this photographer’s work feel natural?
Do their images reflect real emotion?
Do their couples look relaxed?
Does their approach sound reassuring?
The right photographer isn’t defined by a label — but by how well they understand people, moments, and the flow of a wedding day.
In Simple Terms
If you’re choosing between documentary and storytelling wedding photography, the answer for most couples is:
You don’t have to choose.
They’re two sides of the same coin — both focused on capturing your wedding honestly, naturally, and in a way that feels true to you.
If you’d like to see how this approach looks across real weddings, you can explore my work on my homepage.
Get In Touch
If you’d like more information, please get in touch – here or browse through my website to learn more about my wedding photography style – here.