WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?

Documentary wedding photography isn’t about photographing mountains or posing the rings, flowers or you in superficial ways. Documentary wedding photography is about capturing the essence of humanity through photographing emotions, relationships, humour, hugs, tears and most importantly: taking the normal events of the day and making them into amazing stories to share with others and future descendants. It’s about being OK with the flaws and celebrating the high points that may happen on a wedding day but still going through it and having a photographer like myself tell that story with honest and authentic documentary photography.

WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

After getting married myself, I saw the amount of work that was involved in it. I was just getting into photography at the time and I really wanted to apply what I was doing to something that really stood out for me. Weddings are very complex and sometimes chaotic events but through it all you get to see people (friends, family, the couple) talking to each other and enjoying each others’ presence.

When I found out that I enjoyed a specific documentary approach to photography, I wanted to apply it to weddings. Being able to combine my documentary approach and love for the “decisive moment” with such a momentous and personal occasion has kept me interested in the wedding industry.

WHAT DOES JONATHAN DESMOND PHOTOGRAPHY DO?

Jonathan Desmond Photography is a specialized photographic service focusing on a classical and documentary approach to subject matter. I seek to create amazing photos from people just living their lives, as well as telling a story narrative through the imagery created. As passionate as I am about it, it is really hard to do and takes time, effort, patience and occasionally luck.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT FROM OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS?

Many folks say they take a “journalistic” approach to weddings but most of the time they will request some posing in the moments or ask for fake laughs during getting ready times or something like that. I’m one of the few in the area that takes a hard documentary approach, in that I do little to no posing (except for group photos and some bridal shots). I love black and white and my clients do too, especially when they see these classic black and white documentary moments of their own wedding.

I frame it this way: I want my couples to remember their wedding day, not that they were being photographed.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH YOUR BUSINESS? HOW CAN COUPLES WORK WITH YOU?

After the initial email or phone call, I meet with my clients to confirm that what they’re really looking for is my unique documentary approach. Once that’s done, we figure out the agreement and payment. I then keep in touch with my clients to confirm their wedding timeline and offer some additional advice based on my experiences (see my tips below!).

During the wedding day, I zone into making photographs and while I do talk to my couples during the day, I tend to just move around and make myself a part of the scenery and grab a frame or two. My past clients have called me a “photo ninja” and I think it describes my general approach on the wedding day: hiding in plain sight.

After the wedding is done, I share some previews so my clients can post things on social media and share with friends. Within 4-8 weeks roughly, I deliver the final edited photo set and a box of 4×6 prints. Some clients have a Storybook Album and I then work with them on creating that.

SHARE A WEDDING STORY! WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE WEDDING YOU’VE EVER WORKED ON?

There are so many weddings that I’ve taken on that they’re all memorable for different reasons. There are so many different stories from each wedding and as I think about this question, I’m reminded of them all. There were little nuances and details personal to the wedding (and thus unique documentary moments) from each of them.

That being said, there was one particular instance recently where I noticed that something funny was happening during the ceremony and during the exchange of rings. So apparently there were no rings and it seemed odd as there was some whispering and muttering between the bridal party as the bride laughed and the groom and best man were trying to figure out where the rings were. So turns out that the best man had asked someone to grab the rings. That person grabbed the first felt case that he saw. Turns out it was a golf ball placement token in that felt case. While this turned out to be a huge mixup (we did do the ring exchange in the kitchen where they also did the registry signing), it also ended up being an amazingly hilarious story that the couple would be able to share with their friends and family for a long time.

IF YOU HAD ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR COUPLES LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Choose a photographer that you can relate to on a personal level, as well as one who does work that is what you’re looking for. If you love the mountain shots and posed photos, find someone who does that and whom you feel you could have a coffee with any time of the day. If you like the documentary approach, get that photographer and get to know them as well.

Your wedding photographer will be one of the vendors whom you will be seeing all day and it’s important you get along with them! Personality clashes are the last thing you need on your wedding day. Tell your photographer what you’re looking for and if it’s not their forte or they can’t offer it, there are other photographers who can help.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TRENDS IN PHOTOGRAPHY? WHAT’S ON ITS WAY OUT?

I always joke about photoshopped velociraptors (look it up on Google… it was a thing!) but that was actually a trend for a bit. Wedding photography has gone through a lot of trends and still continues to do so today. Without going into a lot of detail, the latest visual trend has been to go between either a dark and moody approach or light and airy. I can’t say if either are on the way out but my approach to images is neither and focuses on skin tones.

Let’s also not forget that AI is on the rise and it is making us question what photography is and what art is … but I believe that creating documentary photographs of weddings (and my other projects) creates unique human and authentic imagery that cannot be replicated and faithfully tells the story of someone’s wedding day.

Did anyone catch that video of the drone ring bearer where they flew the ring into the ceremony and into the hands of the groom? That was pretty cool. We are definitely living in the 21st Century!

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISTAKES COUPLES MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO PHOTOGRAPHY?

For documentary wedding photography, the biggest mistake tends to be in requesting a lot of direction during the day or requesting a detailed shot list. In that case, I don’t think the couple truly understands what I’m about and would probably be better off with a photographer who works  in that style.

My approach is best applied if I’m left to find the moments and follow the course of events, which allows my couples to focus on the day and not worry about being directed or paused for many times during the event. I’d rather be looking for opportunities to document family and friends hugging each other or striking up a conversation or attempting “the floss” dance in the courtyard than spending a good chunk of time setting up the rings on a flower or anything else like that.

WHERE CAN COUPLES SAVE? WHERE SHOULD THEY SPLURGE?

I know a lot couples try to save on the DJ services but for my own wedding we hired a really good professional and they had a great sense of music taste and technical know-how, which made the night run a lot smoother and helped set the mood throughout the evening.

If you’re able to, I would suggest saving on some of the details or making them re-usable or recyclable. Wedding favours tend to be thrown away so I’d suggest something consumable and/or safe for the environment… and that means you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money.

ANY OTHER TIPS FOR COUPLES PLANNING A WEDDING?

When you kiss, kiss for at least three seconds. It helps avoid “air kiss” photographs and gives time for people with cell phones to load up their photo app.

If you’re doing formal group shots, have someone who can “herd cats” and gather family and friends.

And if possible, stand in the light.

I would also advise seeking a marriage counsellor if you’re able to. As much as the wedding day is a huge thing, I’ve come to realize that it is only the beginning of a life-long journey with your spouse-to-be. Marriage counselling would go a long way in building the right foundations for your marriage. Check out YHM for marriage coaching and counselling.

Prints

I’m a die-hard believer in the lost art of the tangible; stumbling upon a VHS tape in the attic doesn’t hold quite the same wonder as finding your great-grandmother’s wedding album, and poring over it while you lose track of time. With ever-changing advancements in technology, prints are your legacy; they’re the pieces of you that are left behind to show you were here. Happy. Celebrating. Creating your family history.

Beyond albums, I can help you choose the best prints to display in your home. You really are your best work of art—and you should see that, every day.

I live in beautiful Vancouver, BC, but will happily come to wherever you exchange vows (additional fees required).

If you want your real wedding story told, let’s talk.