Okay, I need to say this upfront because it’s something I feel really strongly about after years of photographing couples, weddings, and now growing families: documentary wedding photography is so much more than just showing up on a wedding day with a camera and calling it “candid” or “documentary-style.” If you’ve ever looked at photos and thought, wow, that feels so real, I promise you that didn’t happen by accident!

Documentary wedding photography works best when there’s a relationship, trust, and genuine connection between the photographer and the couple, long before the wedding day even arrives. You can’t fake that, and you definitely can’t force it into a timeline.

For me, that relationship goes even deeper than just getting to know my clients. I truly believe the couples I work with are placed in my life for a reason. I pray over my clients, their marriages, and their futures often, and I don’t take lightly the responsibility of being invited into some of the most sacred moments of their lives. That’s why these stories mean so much more to me than just “another wedding” or “a returning client.”

Documentary Wedding Photography Starts Before the Wedding Day Even Exists

One of the biggest misunderstandings I see is that documentary wedding photography means a photographer just shows up, blends into the background, and magically captures emotional moments. In reality, those moments happen because couples feel safe and seen! 

Before I ever lift my camera on a wedding day, I want to know my couples. I want to know what matters to them, what their story looks like, and what kind of experience they’re hoping for. When couples feel known, they don’t feel like they need to perform. They’re just themselves, and that’s when the good stuff happens.

That’s why I invest so deeply in my clients, not just on the wedding day, but in the season leading up to it (and after!).

A Full-Circle Story That Honestly Still Makes Me Emotional

Ariela and Grant’s story is one of those that makes me step back and think, I truly cannot believe God blessed me with clients like these. I didn’t meet these two through a wedding inquiry. Ari and I actually met years ago, working together at Chick-fil-A when she was still in high school. We became friends long before I ever photographed her wedding, so when I got to be there on their wedding day, it already felt incredibly personal.

“You have no idea how blessed we feel… So thankful for tonight I’m SO GIDDY Brooklyn thank you so much ughhh we are so excited to hang these!! IM OBSESSED!!! These are STUNNING WHAT” – Ariela

Fast forward to July of 2025, I got to photograph their maternity session almost exactly three years after their dating photos. Just typing that out still makes me feel emotional. Being trusted to capture that full-circle moment, especially knowing what they’ve walked through together, is something I’ll never take for granted.

They’ve shared openly about their faith, their family, and the answered prayers that brought them to this season—including experiencing miscarriage and trusting the Lord with their story. Being invited into that chapter and trusted to document it is such an honor. It’s also the reason documentary wedding photography matters so deeply to me. This isn’t just about photos. It’s about legacy, answered prayers, and moments you’ll want to remember forever. Ari has shared more of their story publicly, and you can read all about it here!

What Most Couples Don’t Realize When Choosing a Des Moines Wedding Photographer

A lot of couples searching for documentary wedding photography are drawn to the way the photos feel, but what they don’t always realize is that the feeling comes from the experience.

A photographer who invests in you will:

• Take time to understand your story
• Create space instead of rushing moments
• Know when something meaningful is about to happen
• Protect emotional moments rather than directing them

That level of care doesn’t come from a preset or a pose list; it actually comes from having a relationship with your clients! If you want more inspiration for what this can look like, here are some other helpful blogs:

• 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 Book Your Iowa Wedding Photographer?

Whether you’re deep into planning or just starting to tour venues, finding the right wedding photographer in Iowa really comes down to trust, connection, and feeling genuinely supported! At the end of the day, your wedding photos should feel like a reflection of how the day actually unfolded, not a highlight reel of things that just looked good on paper.

If you’re looking for a photographer who values your experience just as much as the final gallery and cares deeply about the people and moments that matter most, I’d love to connect with you! You can explore my wedding photography portfolio, learn more about my approach, or head straight to my contact page to reach out. I can’t wait to hear what you’re dreaming up for your day. Let’s make something beautiful together!

Brooklyn G Photography | Documentary Style Wedding Photographer in Iowa

Take a peek at more of The Cory’s wedding and maternity shoot below!