My approach: Documentary Style Wedding Photography
My approach: Documentary Style Wedding Photography
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your photos should be about the wedding ♡♡♡ |
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Keep scrolling to see what a decade of wedding photography has taught me about taking memorable wedding day photos ... |
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About me: A documentary style photographer with over a decade of experience, specialising in fun, authentic and candid wedding photos.
My photojournalistic style consists of 90% unscripted and unstaged photos, complimented by 10% portraits and group photos. To ensure creative and authentic wedding photos, I blend into the background capturing the genuine moments of your day as they naturally unfold. |
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| Although based in the South West, I travel all over the UK and abroad for weddings and relish the variety of style and creativity that each couple brings. The eclectic variety from each wedding is reflected in my portfolio: from country weddings, reflecting my Devon roots, to city weddings (both big and small) from my time living in London, and now my adopted hometown of Bristol. | |||
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As a Bristol-based wedding photographer, I always make an effort to ensure my work is inclusive, as well as environmentally conscious. Whether you’re having an inner-city registry office ceremony followed by a pub reception, a country manor ceremony on a sprawling estate, or a fully outdoor service with bare feet and flower garlands, I delight in working with couples that share my values, are organised, relaxed and environmentally conscious. |
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Ultimately, the priority is ensuring you and your guests have an unforgettable day. |
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1. Planning is key🔑 Provide a brief schedule of key events to ensure your photographer will be in the right place at the right time. Remember to allow time for any couple photos (min. 30 minutes) or group snaps (30 min. for up to 6 shots). On the day, your timings and essential details will be on my geeky lanyard so nothing is missed – let me know if there's anything else I should include. |
 
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❄️ Winter Weddings: Sunset is 3.30pm from November to January, so you will need to consider this when organising your ceremony time. |
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🩶 Take a look at Milly & Stuart's elegant winter wedding at The Manor House, Castle Combe. |
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2. Getting ready photos are for everyone! Getting ready photos are the opening chapter of the story of your day. They add depth to your wedding album and also allow your partner to see snaps of the day that might otherwise remain secret. It’s not for everyone, but it’s my favourite time to get authentic emotional photos, capturing the excitement, nerves, joy and anticipation. It also allows me to meet the key players of the day and for everyone to get used to me being in the background 📷
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Things to remember: ⭐️ Allow at least two hours for snaps of everyone getting ready ⭐️ Leave enough time for hair and make up, presents, loved ones arriving, bubbly, travel time … and relaxing! ⭐️ Leave anything out that you would like photographed – I’ll spot it and snap it as is: no moving, no staging, no rearranging.
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Consider whether you would like: ⭐️ Photos before your ceremony - dress going on, father of the newlywed's arrival, moments with family or core wedding party members ⭐️ Speech rehearsals ⭐️ The photographer to travel with one of you to the ceremony / be at the ceremony venue to capture guests arriving ⭐️ Any other important shots (keep scrolling for more ideas!)
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3. First Looks Photos Whether it’s friends, family or fiancés, this modern wedding tradition offers one of the most impactful and yet intimate moments of the day, allowing you both to connect and savour.
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4. Ceremony Photography |
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Click the links and pictures below for inspiration: |
🩶 Lucy & Dan 🩶 Industrial Bristol wedding |
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🩶 Laura & Darryl 🩶 Elegant Victorian Conservatory wedding |
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🩶 Jo & Tom🩶 Devon barn wedding |
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Keep in mind: ⭐ Some parts of your ceremony might be restricted from photography check the rules and regulations in advance (particularly for church weddings) ⭐ Capturing first looks during the ceremony may not always be feasible from the designated position of the photographer – find out in advance! ⭐ Registry ceremonies: there are often limits on numbers – ensure there is capacity for your photographer ⭐ Make sure readings are photographed by adding them to your schedule
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5. Leaving as newlyweds If you plan to leave together down the aisle before your guests, this is the perfect time for you both to have a few special moments alone (but subtly papped), while your helpers hand out confetti and everyone else gets ready for the confetti shot.
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6. Confettiquette / Confetti walk 🎉 ⭐️ If your venue permits confetti: ensure you have plenty of it – the more, the merrier! 🫧 If your venue doesn't allow confetti: consider using bubbles! Bubble guns are great for a lot of coverage and kids love it / get the kids to do the hard work! ⭐️ Nominate members of your wedding party to walk around with baskets – two handfuls per guest is best ⭐️ When you walk remember: 💐Heads up, bouquet down, and enjoy the confetti moment!🎉 |
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Biodegradable confetti all the way! 🏆 Paper is #1 here as it’s not only the cheapest, but descends gracefully, provides a variety of colours, is cost-effective and most importantly, looks stunning! 🌸 Take some friends out to collect and dry flowers 🍂 Although not as photo-effective, a hole punch can be your best friend for an eco and economical solution: try recycled or unwanted coloured paper, dried leaves, old birthday cards or wrapping paper ... The possibilities are endless, as well as planet and budget-friendly!
🎉 Adamapple Confetti and Flutter Darlings |
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7. (In)Formal Photos Whether it’s reception photography or group photos, make the most of everyone being together, but remember: ⭐️ They affect the schedule and timings: allow 30 mins for a maximum of 6 group photo variations (family, in-laws group etc.) ⭐️ This is also the only time you should really notice or look directly at the camera (if you want to) ⭐️ Some prefer a quick and straightforward approach, others want to turn these moments into something more special and personalised – think about what you would like beforehand ⭐️ Formal doesn’t have to mean boring or stiff: they can be fun, playful moments in motion, jumping, laughing, dancing...
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Top tips for fun "formal" wedding photos:⭐️ Keep them quick and relaxed so everyone can get back to celebrating⭐️ After the ceremony and before the meal is the best time for group photos ⭐️ Nominate someone to gather and organise everyone- think about who or what you want to photograph while planning your day ⭐️ Most importantly: Allow enough time!
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Please note: unless you have given prior instruction for particular groups, individuals or shots, the rest of the day will be documentary style photography to capture warm and natural photos. |
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8. Travel Although it’s ideal to keep travel to a minimum on your big day, if it's unavoidable make it part of the day! Take the opportunity to capture some intimate photos of you as newlyweds while guests make their way to the reception venue. If your ceremony and reception venues are at different locations, let me know about any travel moments you would like captured.
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9. Time for just the two of you Set aside some time for a couples portrait session and enjoy a private moment to soak it all in. These moments should be fun photos — relaxed and as natural as possible — bellies full and bubbles in hand!
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Tips: ⭐️ Take a walk together, grab a bite, snuggle up … ⭐️ The more time you allocate for couple photos, the better and more relaxed the shots are - I recommend at least 30 minutes (more for a different location) ⭐️ Golden hour can be a magical time for these (about an hour before sunset) ⭐️ Different times of the day give different lighting: consider having couples photos while your guests are being seated for dinner, and then again after food and before sunset ⭐️ Although the style of photography is still documentary, lightly guiding (not posing!) couples makes for incredible photos |
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10. In-between moments: an opportunity, not a chore! Savour these little pockets of free time to mingle with guests, play games, and have heaps of hugs and giggles. Allowing time to mingle with your family and friends makes the most of spontaneous interactions that not only make your day, but create cherished memories and authentic photos.
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11. Speeches & reception photography To get the best of your speech photos, consider a well-lit location for the speakers, preferably with natural light to enhance visibility in your photos. Keep your wedding photographer up to speed, to allow them to optimise the lighting and composition, resulting in memorable and visually appealing speech photos. Let me know: ⭐️ Number of speeches ⭐️ Scheduled timing ⭐️ Chosen location ⭐️ Any other surprises to be ready for! |
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Give the speakers and yourselves a break by doing them early – if speeches are peppered between courses you may not have a full house for the funniest and most meaningful / emotional moments. |
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12. Food Who wants their photo taken while eating? No one. So this is a great time to capture pictures of your cake, venue, and surroundings, before taking a brief pause to put my cameras down and grab a bite myself. I always come prepared with on-the-go snacks, but I genuinely appreciate any food provided by your caterers. |
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| If it's important to you to have food pictures — especially if it's homemade by you, family, or friends — give me a heads up, and I'll make sure to capture some great foodie photos. | |||
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13. Surprises Keep me up to speed on planned surprises so they don’t get missed - it’s easy to lose track of time on the day! Ideas: 🎉 Confetti cannons 🎇 Sparklers 🎆 Fireworks 🥸 Special guests Read my Creating Incredible Wedding Photos blog if you're looking for inspiration for great wedding day surprises. |
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But ... not all surprises are welcome or planned! Yes, we’re talking about rain. Well, we are in the UK, and it’s particularly relevant if you’re planning an outdoor or country wedding. If it happens on your day, don't stress … embrace it – it can make for some incredible wedding photos! |
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Imagine: 🍃 Veils blowing in the wind ☂️ Cosy group photos under umbrellas 🌧️Dancing in the rain!
I'm not afraid to step out and capture those moody rainy moments! Have umbrellas at the ready and indoor rainy day plans ready (as I will), and just enjoy it.
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14. Keeping wedding traditions alive Cutting of the cake and first dance snaps can sometimes feel a bit outdated, staged, and awkward, but they don’t have to be. If you wish to include these traditional photos in your celebration, consider adding a more relaxed and informal touch: 🍰 Cake cutting: It can be a tad underwhelming, so if you go for it, make sure it’s well-positioned and amidst a lively group of guests to make it an exciting moment for everyone to take part in! Whether it’s homemade or at the pricier end of the scale, make sure you eat and enjoy it! 🕺🏼 First dance: The same applies here, so bring in confetti cannons, get the wedding party to encourage guests to join you on the dance floor, and perhaps even throw in a conga line! 💐 Bouquet toss: One tradition that never fails to bring joy and create a captivating photo These moments don’t have to feel traditional or predictable – mix things up and celebrate in style while leaving a lasting impression!
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Most important things to remember: ⭐️ A bit of forward planning goes a long way: ⭐️ Good clear communication with your wedding photographer ⭐️ Have fun and do it your way! |
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The best piece of advice is to keep your day flowing and keep your photographer in the loop so they never miss a moment! |
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Working together beforehand creates a smooth day, flowing beautifully, with magical and authentic moments captured. It means you can leave me to it and rest assured that I know exactly what’s happening and when. The best photos are when you forget I’m there, so as your photographer, my aim is for you to simply forget about me on the day – there’s enough to think about!
Love, Laura x
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Feel free to get in touch |
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