When you’re planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the photography style that feels true to you! If you’ve been hearing more about documentary style wedding photography and wondering what it actually means, you’re in the right place!

There are always new photography trends, and it can feel super overwhelming when you just want to book a good photographer and continue planning your wedding! As someone who has spent years serving couples as an Iowa wedding photographer, I’ve seen just how meaningful this approach can be, especially for couples who want photos that feel real and emotional!

Documentary style wedding photography is all about capturing your day, just as it unfolds! It’s about the in-between moments God weaves into your story. Instead of focusing on stiff or overly posed poses, this style captures your wedding day as it naturally happens throughout the day. It’s capturing the joy, the tears, the hugs, the worship, the laughter… all the moments that make your relationship one of a kind!

Whether you’re getting married at Toast in Ankeny, exploring other Ankeny wedding venues, or planning your day somewhere else in Iowa, here’s everything you need to know about choosing documentary style wedding photography and why so many couples are loving this approach.

As an Iowa wedding photographer, my heart behind this style is so simple: I want your gallery to feel like you. Your story, your joy, your connection. Not just like a Pinterest board, but your real life and the presence of God throughout it all (which is one of my favorite parts about my job!)

If you’re still learning about the differences between styles, The Knot has an amazing breakdown in their blog: The 11 Wedding Photography Styles Every Engaged Couple Needs to Know

This style works beautifully at intimate venues like Toast, larger celebrations across Iowa, and even outdoor or countryside weddings (literally anywhere to be honest). It’s flexible, timeless, and perfect for couples who want photos that pull them right back into the moment! 

Why Couples Love Documentary Style Wedding Photography in Iowa

Austin and Avery’s wedding at Toast showed this perfectly! Their day was full of so much love and joy. I’m a big fan of the candid moments and all the in-between pieces that tell a story about their legacy! Things like the way they looked at each other during the ceremony, the emotional hugs from family and friends. At the end of the night, before I packed up my gear, the bride pulled me aside and asked if I would pray for them (I actually wanted to cry). That sweet moment was such a blessing to me! It truly showed how meaningful candid and documentary style wedding photography can be when faith is at the center of your day.

If you’re building out your timeline and feeling unsure where to start, this guide from The Knot has a great sample wedding day timeline that can help you think through the flow of your own celebration.

Here’s why couples consistently fall in love with this style:

It captures emotion honestly.
Real laughter > staged smiles. Actual tears > forced poses. Real worship > reenacted moments.

It works for every type of Iowa wedding.
Whether it’s a cozy Toast wedding, a church ceremony, a farm venue, or a lively reception downtown, this approach adapts to your day instead of forcing it to fit a mold!

It preserves your love story.
Your story deserves to be told the way it truly felt! Capturing the joy, the messy, and all the beautiful moments in between!

It reflects faith, connection, and intention.
So many moments God orchestrates throughout a wedding day are small but powerful. With documentary style wedding photography, none of them are missed!

How Documentary-Style Photography Glorifies God

Documentary-style wedding photography can glorify God because it honors truth! It’s an approach rooted in being present and capturing the real beauty of two people entering a covenant God designed. Instead of manufacturing moments, you’re documenting the ones He’s already writing!

It reflects Christ’s love by showing love in its purest form. Like quiet acts of service, tears during prayer, families celebrating, and hands reaching for each other in nervous excitement. These candid moments mirror the tenderness, sacrifice, and faithfulness that Christ Himself models.

It’s also worship in the form of stewardship. You’re using the creative gifts God gave you to tell honest, emotional stories that point back to the goodness of love and His love. By choosing a style that elevates authenticity over performance, you’re celebrating the way God moves in the small, sacred, in between moments. Sometimes the most powerful way to share Christ is not through speeches but through quiet evidence of His presence woven into real life. Your images become a reminder of the covenant, the community, and the grace that surrounds a wedding day!

Is Documentary Style Wedding Photography Right for You?

This approach is perfect for couples who:

• Want photos that feel relaxed, natural, and joyful
• Prefer genuine moments captured over “perfect”
• Value connection and presence
• Love the idea of reliving their day exactly as it felt
• Want an Iowa wedding photographer that puts you first, not just the latest trends
  

If that sounds like you, then documentary style wedding photography may be the best fit for your day! And if you want more resources, here are a few more helpful blogs of mine as you plan your wedding:

• 10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer in Iowa Before Booking
• How to Get Joyful, Candid Wedding Photos
• Top Iowa Wedding Venues You’ll Love

Ready to Find the Right Wedding Photographer in Iowa?

If you’re looking for an Iowa wedding photographer who values your day just as much as the final gallery, I’d love to capture it for you! You can explore my wedding photography portfolio or learn more about my approach and the way I serve my couples here!

Or you can head straight to my contact page to inquire about your date! I can’t wait to meet you and hear what you’re dreaming up for your day. Let’s make something beautiful together! If you love this Toast wedding, keep scrolling for more inspo from this beautiful and God-centered day!

Featured Iowa Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Toast Ankeny 

Photography: Brooklyn G Photography