You’ve heard of documentary-style wedding photos – but have you heard of documentary-style portraits? The great thing about documentary-style portraits is that they can be used for so many different reasons: creative solo portraits, pictures with your pets, engagement sessions, etc.
As a photographer whose style is all about capturing genuine emotions and lively, unique expressions, a documentary-style portrait session is perfect for you if you want a gallery of professional images that are candid and fun and capture the moments as they unfold without posing or any forced smiles.
Let’s dive into more about documentary-style portraits and why you should consider booking a session.
What Are Documentary-Style Portraits?
Documentary-style portraits can be super fun, flexible, and kind of a “slice of life” session. When you hear the word “portrait,” you might think of sitting posed in a chair in front of a backdrop inside a studio, but that’s not what this session is about.
Instead, this style of photography is all about being in the moment and capturing reality as it unfolds around you. You’ll be gently guided and directed by your photographer and lots of movement will be incorporated into your session to create stunning images that feel authentic, natural, and like “you.”
Also, when it comes to location, this session doesn’t take place in a studio but rather at a place of your choosing, whether that’s your backyard, your favorite coffee shop, a local park, etc. You can pick a place that is significant to you.
My goal is to capture you at whatever point in life you are, doing things you love. I’ve taken documentary-style portraits for families, college graduates, engagements, pets, and more. Documentary-style portraits can really look however you want!
Why You Should Book a Documentary-Style Portrait Session
A way to incorporate the things you love to do
If you’ve always wanted to have photos with your furry friends, take photos with your partner at one of your favorite date spots, or take photos with your family doing an activity you all enjoy together, a documentary-style portrait session would be perfect for you.
Also, if you’re planning a solo portrait session, you can feature a location you love or center it around something you are passionate about. The sky is the limit when it comes to your session, and it can be molded into whatever you envision.
Less stress for you
With a documentary-style portrait session, you can show up however you want without needing to perform. You don’t have to come to your session looking a certain way, worry about whether poses will look unflattering or feel uncomfortable, or stress about whether you will look natural in front of the camera.
You also don’t need to preoccupy yourself with finding matching outfits or recreating Pinterest-perfect images. This type of session is raw, unfiltered, and honest.
Photos that tell a story
Whether you’re taking photos with your partner, your family, by yourself, or with your pet, all of your photos will tell a story about you at this moment.
Documentary photography is all about telling your story genuinely and authentically—it’s not about looking perfect because real life isn’t perfect. Your session will capture different interactions, unscripted moments, and your personality.
This session will truly be one-of-a-kind because we aren’t focused on replicating what anyone else has done before; we’re just focused on being in the present and seeing what magic unfolds.
How to Find the Right Photographer for Your Documentary-Style Portrait Session
If you want to have a documentary-style portrait session, it’s important to find a photographer who can match your vision. Here’s how you can find the best fit:
Decide that you actually want a documentary-style portrait session
Before booking your session with a photographer, make sure that you know that you actually want this style of session.
A documentary-style portrait session is right for you if your overall experience is more important to you than your appearance and posing, you have an open mind and want to try something new, and you want to be seen exactly for who you are.
On the other hand, a documentary-style portrait session might not be right for you if you would rather have your photographer tell you what to do and pose you throughout your session.
Also, if you want style advice or for your photographer to pick out your location for you, a documentary-style session probably isn’t what you’re looking for. Remember, this type of session is all about capturing beautiful and emotional photos as well as embracing imperfections and chaos.
Check out their portfolio
For all the different photographers you’re considering, I encourage you to spend some time looking through their portfolios. Remember, every documentary-style session is going to look different, so take a look at how they edit their photos, how they’ve captured candid, raw moments, and that you LOVE their work before booking your session.
When looking at their images, you can ask yourself questions like: Do their photos tell a story? What do you think of the quality of their photos? How do they edit their images? Is their editing style consistent?
Read their reviews
Before booking a session, read their reviews and learn more about what others’ experiences were like – especially for a documentary-style portrait session that can vary so much from session to session.
If you’re happy with everything that you’re seeing after looking through their galleries and reading their reviews it sounds like you’ve found your match!
Ready to Book Your Documentary-Style Portrait Session?
I hope you found this guide helpful. Documentary-style portrait photos are a beautiful way to capture significant moments in your life as they unfold. They are also tailored to your vision and preferences—no two documentary-style portrait sessions look the same, making this a unique experience!
If you love the idea of having a documentary-style portrait session and are looking for the perfect photographer, click here to get in touch, and let’s talk about your vision for your session!
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