Life isn't scripted, your wedding photos shouldn't be either.
What is documentary wedding photography?
Simply put, documentary wedding photography aims to capture the day through visual storytelling as effortlessly and unobtrusively as possible, without cues, direction, or interference. I won't ask you to hold an impossible pose or do something you wouldn't do on any other day. Your wedding day is meant to be enjoyed, full of laughter, and spent enjoying the moment with the closest people in your life. My job is to capture all of that in a cohesive story that is true to who you are.
Much like a street photographer or photojournalist, my aim is to blend into the room and photograph as if I were just another pair of observant eyes partaking in the celebration. This allows me to capture each couple's wedding day with a clean, natural style, while never becoming a distraction.
Anyone with an iPhone can put people dressed up for the most important day of their lives in front of a camera and snap a half decent photo. Telling a story, documenting the details, and capturing intimate moments without interruption that would otherwise go unnoticed—that's where I come in.
My approach is very hands off on the day of your wedding. I won't take you away from friends and family for more time than you want and I won't do much directing beyond occasionally suggesting a different spot or position in the room to work with the best light. I take on a limited number of weddings per year to offer my full attention and time to each couple before, during, and after their wedding. Above all else, I love photographing weddings, and the joy they bring me carries through in the work I produce.
Sounds good? Let's talk!
Momentous occasion
A wedding day is a unique opportunity that brings a couple's closest friends and family all together in the same space. I always tell couples that my favorite part of the day is witnessing that gathering of love and support to share in a moment of union. For families spread out geographically, a wedding day might be one of the only occasions where that bride and groom get to have with all of their family members and friends. No two are ever alike, even in the same family. An occasion like this deserves to be documented in a way that feels authentic, natural, and true to all involved.
FAQ's
What COVID-19 Precautions are you taking?
I am taking COVID-19 extremely serious for the health and safety of all of my clients, as well as my family.
As of April 2022, I am fully vaccinated with all recommended booster doses. I follow all CDC guidelines and am happy to take any extra steps that will make you and your guests feel more safe.
What if my wedding date needs to be postponed?
If you have booked me as your photographer and think you need to postpone/change the wedding date, please get in touch as soon as possible. We will work through it together, and odds are, I will be able to accommodate for the change. In the event I am unable to photograph your new date due to another commitment, I will work with you to find another trusted photographer within my network.
How many photos will we get?
I will usually deliver between 400 and 500, hand-edited photographs for a full wedding day, but it really depends on the amount of coverage that has been chosen for each specific couple.
How many weddings do you photograph each year?
Typically, my max is 12-15. This means I am able to spend more time and attention on each wedding to give a personal touch beyond quick batch editing with presets that don't actually fit the photo. I put together a custom gallery for each couple after the wedding day that can be shared with friends and family.
Will you travel to X for my wedding?
Absolutely! I will hop on a plane anywhere and am always open for destination weddings or elopements to anywhere in the world. Having covered a fair amount of ground on my own, I am also happy to consult with couples about locations and ideas for their wedding abroad. Destination wedding packages are priced the same as my regular packages, with the addition of applicable travel costs, and will include a day before or after the wedding for a separate portrait session and time to explore.
What preparations do you make before a wedding?
I like to think that I have been fortunate for never having a major dilemma in my career as a wedding photographer, but it hasn't been due to fortune. I am a meticulous planner, always prepared for the inevitable and always ensuring I am ready for whatever comes our way. A month before the wedding day, I send each couple a questionnaire and document to make sure we have all of the timeline details captured. On a technical note, I work with high end professional camera systems at all times with back-up equipment on hand.
Do you offer a second shooter?
Any of my wedding packages can be upgraded to add a second photographer where logistical needs require it. I primarily work alone because by nature, it's a more discrete way for me to capture a wedding day. I have photographed 30 person weddings and 300 person weddings on my own and very rarely find that I need someone else accompanying me to capture everything, but I am always happy to bring in a trusted second professional photographer if there's a request for it.
Are you insured?
Yes! This should be the first question you ask any vendor, but especially those working on the day of your wedding. I carry full liability insurance as well as personal equipment insurance. If your venue asks for your vendors to have them listed as additional insureds for the day, this is something I am happy to help accommodate.
Testimonials
His work is a lovely natural mix of candid and professional. He captures moments seamlessly without a loud presence. So much so that I am pleasantly surprised to see many once-in-a-lifetime moments I had forgotten about on our busy day.
Chris is kind, super responsive, organized. He is also full of good ideas, wildly talented, and super pleasant and easy to work with. His style is really beautiful and we knew we'd be happy with photos from him based on the stunning work we had already seen. We are not really comfortable in front of a camera and that does not show in any of the portraits he took of us - we look SO comfortable and happy!
Chris was phenomenal as the photographer for our "micro-wedding" in New Orleans. He has an amazing eye and a natural ability to capture intimate, in-between moments. Despite our ever-changing plans due to COVID, and then with a HURRICANE looming just days before, he kept such a positive and amazing attitude. It was so easy and wonderful to work with him. Our photos feel unique to us and we couldn't be happier. If you want someone who is talented, creative, friendly and patient, Chris is it.
Chris did an excellent job photographing my wedding. He was able to capture all the important moments in a way that reflected the emotions of that day/night. There were a lot of people to keep track of, and he was able to do that. One of my biggest concerns, because of the number of people involved, was to have pictures done quickly. He did a great job organizing so that could happen. My horse was involved in the first look, and Chris was patient with him. Horses don’t stand still as well as people. He also put together an incredible video of the night! I was blown away by how well the pictures synced up with the song we chose. I couldn’t be happier!
Chris recently took engagement photos for us. The pictures turned out amazing! We picked out a couple of general areas to do the shoot but didn’t come prepared with many specific ideas. Chris was able to pick out awesome spots for photos. He made us feel comfortable and the whole process ended up being super fun. We would definitely recommend Chris to anyone!