A Wedding Day Focused on Connection, Not Just Photos

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration—a day to cherish the love and connection you share with your partner and the people who mean the most to you. In the midst of the excitement, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and the desire for picture-perfect moments. But as a documentary wedding film photographer in Maine, my philosophy is different. I believe your wedding day should be about enjoying the moment, being present with your loved ones, and letting the day unfold naturally, rather than focusing on staging photos for the camera.

Creating Time for Connection

One of the most important things you can do on your wedding day is to prioritize spending time together as a couple. After all, this day is about celebrating your love and the journey you’ve embarked on together. To make the most of it, I suggest incorporating smaller portrait sessions throughout the day, rather than one long session that pulls you away from your guests.

By breaking up the day into three 10-minute portrait sessions, you can have those cherished moments captured without missing out on the celebration. These shorter sessions allow you to enjoy each other’s company in a more relaxed setting, but not for so long that you miss out on your own party. These brief breaks offer a chance to breathe, reflect, and savor the significance of the day. I also find that it’s a great way to document the different phases of the day - from the tender emotion moments right after the celebration, to the excitement later in the evening as the party is on.

Whether it’s a quiet moment just after the ceremony, a stroll during golden hour, or a quick session under the stars, these portraits will capture your connection naturally, without forcing you to step away from the day’s events for too long. The result? Genuine, heartfelt images that reflect the true essence of your relationship.

Other ways you can create time for connection as a couple during the day:

Write and exchange letters: Before the day begins, write letters to each other expressing your feelings and excitement. Exchange them during the day, perhaps right before the ceremony or while getting ready. This thoughtful gesture allows you to share your emotions in a personal and meaningful way.

Start your day together: There are no strict rules for your wedding day! If you would like to start your day together in a way that feels most like you (for me and my partner, that’s having our tea and breakfast together with our cat), there’s no reason you can’t carve out time to do that together on your wedding day.

Create a pre-wedding playlist: Curate a playlist of songs that are special to your relationship and listen to it together while getting ready or during a quiet moment before the ceremony. Music has a powerful way of evoking emotions, and this can help you both feel connected and present.

Pre-ceremony adventure: Start your wedding day with a mini adventure that’s meaningful to both of you—whether it’s a short hike, a visit to a favorite spot, or even a quick paddle on a nearby lake. It’s a unique way to spend time together, ease any pre-ceremony jitters, and create a special memory before the day officially begins.

First look: Consider doing a first look. A first look allows you to share a private moment together before the ceremony begins. It’s an intimate opportunity to connect, calm your nerves, and enjoy each other’s presence without the pressure of being in front of everyone.

Drive together: Going for a drive together, to the ceremony, to the reception, or after the party ends can be a wonderful time to spend with your person on your day.

Post-ceremony alone time: Right after the ceremony, take 10-15 minutes to be alone together. Retreat to a private space or take a walk around the venue. This small window of time allows you to soak in the significance of the day, share your first moments as a married couple, and reconnect before the festivities continue.

Watch the sunset together: Plan to slip away during sunset for a few minutes of alone time. Whether it’s watching the sunset from a balcony or a quick walk outside, this is a perfect opportunity to pause, enjoy the beauty of the moment, and reconnect amidst the celebration.

Enjoy the last dance together: I love a good last dance! Plan to celebrate the end of the dance party with your person together as you conclude your wedding day.

Enjoying the Day, Not Posing for It

One of the key aspects of documentary wedding photography is letting the day unfold organically. I’m not here to orchestrate moments or ask you to redo actions just for the sake of getting them on camera. Instead, I want to capture the real, unscripted moments—the laughter, the tears, the quiet glances, and the spontaneous dances. These are the memories that matter, the ones that will transport you back to the feeling of the day whenever you look at your photos.

When you focus on enjoying the day rather than posing for the camera, your wedding becomes more about you and your people. It’s about celebrating your love story in the presence of the people who have supported and loved you along the way. It’s about being fully present, not worrying about whether every moment is being perfectly captured. And trust me, when you let go of the pressure to perform for the camera, that’s when the magic happens. The images that come from these genuine moments are far more powerful and meaningful than any staged photo could ever be.

Letting Moments Unfold

As a documentary wedding photographer, my approach is all about observation and anticipation. I’m there to document the day as it happens, without interrupting the natural flow of events. This means that rather than directing or posing, I’m watching for those fleeting moments of connection between you and your partner, your family, and your friends.

By allowing moments to unfold naturally, I can capture the true spirit of your wedding day—the joy, the excitement, the love, and even the quieter, more introspective moments. These are the images that will tell the story of your day in a way that feels honest and real.

Shorter portrait sessions fit seamlessly into this approach. They provide just enough time for you to be alone together, to share a few private moments amidst the celebration, and for me to capture your love in its most authentic form. But they also allow you to quickly return to the party, to the people who have gathered to celebrate with you, and to the joy of the day.

Your wedding day is about so much more than the pictures. It’s about the connection you share with your partner and your guests, the moments you experience together, and the memories you create. By focusing on being present, enjoying the day, and letting the moments unfold naturally, you’ll have a wedding that is not only beautifully documented but also truly meaningful.