Haley and Ryan’s wedding day was pure joy from start to finish. The kind of day that reminds me why I love documentary photography so much. Their celebration at The Ink House in Edwardsville, Illinois was filled with laughter, joy, and so many in-between moments that told the story better than any posed photo could.
If you’ve ever wondered what is lifestyle photography, this day is the perfect example. It’s about letting things unfold naturally. Haley slipped into her lace gown surrounded by friends, her excitement buzzing in the air. Ryan laughed with his groomsmen as he buttoned his shirt and straightened his bow tie. There was no rushing, no forced smiles. It was just real moments, captured as they happened.
Here’s the beauty of real, unfiltered moments…
Choosing an unposed approach means trusting your photographer to anticipate rather than orchestrate. I move quietly through the day, finding the balance between being present and being invisible. I’ll step in briefly for portraits, of course, but my favorite part is stepping back and letting you be fully in the moment. In a highly curated world, I think this day should be all about being present for the memories that are unfolding.
Haley and Ryan were the dream couple for this approach.
They loved having me there to capture their real emotions, but also being uninterrupted for most of the day. That’s the essence of documentary photography.
During their first look, Ryan’s face said everything before he even spoke. Their ceremony was intimate and full of emotion. They were surrounded by crisp white florals and the warm glow of light streaming through the windows. Later, the two of them celebrated with drinks in hand, holding their marriage certificate with huge smiles as they walked off the elevator. Every photo from their gallery feels like a still from a film to me. Full of life, laughter, and energy. And that’s exactly the vibe I’m going for as your St. Louis Wedding Photographer
When people ask me what is documentary photography, I tell them it’s about honesty.
It’s less about perfection and more about emotion. It’s about preserving the feeling of the day so that years later, you can look back and remember exactly how it felt to laugh, to dance, to say “I do.”
The reception was the perfect finale for Haley and Ryan. Guests filled the dance floor, lights flashing and hands in the air. There was cake cutting, heartfelt hugs, and so many moments that happened too quickly to stage. But that’s exactly the point. Real weddings aren’t static. They’re alive.
Every photo from Haley and Ryan’s day feels intentional, even though it wasn’t scripted.
That’s the beauty of trusting the process and embracing a unposed approach. If you’re planning a wedding (or maybe family photos!) and want to have a more “real life” approach to your photos, we should chat!
