How to make your photos look like they’re straight out of a documentary

Documentary styled photography captures a bunch of little moments and details to bring them all together into one big storybook. That’s what draws me so much to it… you get to escape poses and awkwardness, instead focusing on a photo session that brings your subject to life.

Tip #1

Set the scene. Opt for one or two wide frame establishing shots for each location you’re in. Doing this will give context to your gallery and a documentary-like feel that will have you back in that moment for years to come. You can include your subjects, but they should be a small part of the bigger picture. These photos will anchor your following shots that will come later in the gallery. If you’re anything like me, you want to be up close getting the details, so making a conscious effort to capture an establishing shot may be something you need to remind yourself before you switch to the next location with your couple. I make a habit of sending my couple to walk ahead of me to our next spot, that way I can hang back and grab another wide frame before our next photos.

Adventure engagement photos along the coast of Santa Barbara, California

Tip #2

Include a few blurry photos. These create motion and add interest to your gallery, especially if your normal galleries include more detail oriented, in-focus photos. Some ways to achieve a blur are to set your shutter speed low and move your camera slightly when taking the photo, or to have the subject perform an activity with lots of movement. Some prompts I use for this are to run away from me, hold hands and bump into each other, or do a bear hug and sway from side to side. Even little movements make for big emotions, and I find that while capturing these photos, everyone is giggling and feeling more comfortable being in front of the camera.

Tip #3

Choose an activity or location that is special to your subject. Often times, an activity can add more context and tell a bigger story than simply posing for photos can. This can be as simple as setting a blanket down in a field and setting up a picnic. Here, the photo session turns into a special date for them, and you get to have a peek into what a real date night for them looks like. This allows the couple to feel more comfortable, and you to capture the true essence of their relationship.

For Emily and Michael, surfing has been something that has brought them joy since the beginning of their relationship. They chose to do photos on the beach before changing into their wetsuits and hopping in the water. Getting to tell their story all the way from their truck to the sea created an adventurous photo gallery that perfectly captured the love and playfulness of the session.

Tip #4

Have a list of prompts ready to go. Like earlier, blurry photos can help provide motion to your gallery. Another way to add motion is to get your couples moving. Almost anyone I’ve talked to about taking photos has mentioned that they’re normally uncomfortable in front of the camera. You want them to feel at ease and comfortable in order to best capture them, and one of the best ways to do this is to have a few prompts that get them moving so they don’t have to worry about how they look. Additionally, prompts that include lots of movement will help you tell a story that is full of life. Often times, my favorite photos are captured in transition from one movement to the next, making them truly candid.

And there you have it! Documentary styled photos are not a perfect science, which is what makes them so special. You truly get to be the artist in this style of photography, and not every photographer is the same. Ultimately, telling a couple’s story in a way that is authentic to them is the most important, and you’re a part of how that story gets captured!

view Emily and Michael’s full gallery