Documentary Wedding Photography in San Diego

Real weddings. Real moments. No performance required.

As Anthony Bourdain once said:

“I’m not interested in telling stories with competence. I’m interested in telling stories with style, originality, and creativity […] and to do it with the people I care about.”


As a documentary wedding photographer, I’m interested in one thing: telling the story of your wedding day with art, honesty, and style. I’m not interested in the Pinterest-perfect version of life. I want to record it all for you: The real story—the nervous energy, the messy joy, the quiet pauses, and the moments you didn’t even realize were happening until you see them later.

If you want wedding photos that feel like memories—not a photoshoot—you’re in the right place. Welcome.

What Is Documentary Wedding Photography?

Documentary wedding photography (also called photojournalistic wedding photography) focuses on capturing moments as they naturally unfold, without staging, directing, or interrupting them.

Instead of telling you where to stand or how to pose, I observe, anticipate, and respond to what’s happening—much like a storyteller following the rhythm of the day. I am your photojournlaist.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s honesty and art.

What defines the documentary approach:

• Real moments over posed ones

• Emotion over aesthetics

• Story over shot lists

• Presence over performance

• Images that feel lived-in, not manufactured

Your gallery becomes a visual narrative—from beginning to end—not a collection of disconnected and manufactured highlights .

Most weddings I photograph include light structure where it helps—family photos, relaxed portraits—without letting it take over the day.

My Approach to wedding photography

I photograph weddings the way I believe they should be remembered.

• I don’t chase trends.

• I shoot true-to-colors and a lot of black and white

• I don’t manufacture moments.

• I don’t interrupt emotion to improve it.

Instead, I:

• Blend into the background

• Watch body language and energy

• Anticipate moments before they peak (The decisive moment)

• Capture context, not just highlights

The result is a gallery that feels cohesive, intentional, and deeply human.

Is Documentary Wedding Photography Right for You?

I mean yes… obviously. haha.

But, in my experience, this approach tends to resonate with couples who:

• Don’t want your wedding photos to look like everyone else’s

• Care more about meaning than perfection

• Want to feel their wedding day—not stage it

• Don’t love being told how to pose

• Trust their photographer to see what matters

• Value honest storytelling over trends

If you’re comfortable with a little chaos, a lot of emotion, and moments that can’t be recreated—this style might be exactly what you’re looking for.