A person in a dress with lace details is holding a handwritten letter or note on lined paper, reading it during a ceremony, possibly a wedding, with another person dressed in a suit standing nearby.
documentary wedding photos title

What exactly is documentary wedding photography?

Well, good question. It’s definitely become more on trend these days but this is the way I’ve been capturing weddings and life in general, since the start of my photography career. To be honest, I never knew any other way to photograph a wedding. Because a wedding is/was never about a posed photo session. There are so many moving parts on a wedding day, and so many layers, so much community and people. Your people - all together. All at once! Celebrating you two.

So how does one NOT capture all that energy, the essence and especially the in-between moments without photographing it in this way?!

Because I started my photography career documenting births. Yes! As in babies being born. I’ve learned to really lean in on my photojournalism skills from that experience. To be a fly on the wall, or rather a guest at your celebration and joyfully observe and look for and capture those decisive moments. (In case you didn’t know, there aren’t any do-overs for a better or perfect image in photographing births!)

I like to say, that I’m a wedding photographer who just observes & documents what is happening during your celebration. Like an up to the minute memory taker. And in doing so, I hope to not only capture how your day looked but most importantly - how it all felt. Together we’ll take it all in, and without intervention and staging moments that have already come to pass— you just get to enjoy your day. Because by seamlessly blending into your wedding day, I am able to capture all the moments of your day, with your love and your guests as they are— beautiful supportive glimmers in your lives. From those scheduled and planned moments and especially the unexpected in-between ones.

The most often asked question regarding documentary style wedding photos is—Do I still take family formals and more camera aware photos? Yes, I definitely do! The focus of your day isn’t just about taking those though and it’s definitely not about worrying if we are getting all the perfect shots, while - missing out on what is actually happening around you. Your wedding day should be about the two of you, your community and enjoying the celebration itself. But, because I know those formal & posed photos are still important — I definitely capture them too. (I just won’t take you two away from your party for hours to photograph them. And that’s a promise!)

Learn More

  • Honest, documentary wedding photography for couples who value presence, feeling, and the beauty of imperfection.

a bride in her non-traditional grey flowing dress looking back at the camera on her destination wedding day
A couple walking hand in hand down a dirt path near tall trees and a large red house under a blue sky at dusk.
A black-and-white photo of a wedding ceremony with the groom emotional, standing among guests, looking at the bride, who is partly visible. The groom is dressed in a tuxedo with a boutonnière, and guests are in formal attire, outdoors with trees in t
A black-and-white photograph of a wedding ceremony with a bride and groom standing in front of san francisco city hall's 4th floor iconic windows, as a stylist adjusts her veil. The bride holds a bouquet of flowers.
A woman in a dark dress holding a glass of white wine and a drink in a plastic cup at an outdoor social gathering with other people talking and mingling.
A woman in a white wedding dress walking on a rustic outdoor path, with a flower in her hair and a man in a blue suit approaching from behind, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical plants.
A group of eleven people, including women in wedding dresses and men in suits, celebrating outdoors with greenery in the background. One woman in white is holding a bouquet and raising her arm, while others are holding flowers and smiling.
a couple looking at each other in the pathway of the strauss ranch wedding venue in tomales bay
wedding guests dancing back to back during the wedding reception at brazilian room
People dancing and celebrating at a wedding reception outside at night.
A groom and bride playing with a large, black and gray dog outside a building.
Outdoor wedding ceremony in front of a stone building with guests seated, officiant and bride and groom standing in the center, decorative pampas grass in the foreground, trees and blue sky in the background.
A newlywed couple standing arm-in-arm on a paved pathway in a lush, green garden. The bride is in a strapless white wedding gown, and the groom is in a black tuxedo with a bow tie. They are holding hands and smiling softly.
A couple dressed in wedding attire walking through a grassy field with hills and trees in the background
a groom and the officiant having a good laugh as the grooms get married at the 4th floor gallery in San Francisco City hall
A man and woman sharing a kiss in front of a red vintage car parked on the street, with a modern house in the background.
A couple hugging near the water at sunset in tomales bay, with hills and a small island in the background.
Bride with a long veil and bouquet dancing on a paved road with wedding guests in pastel dresses and suits cheering in the background, surrounded by trees and greenery at sunset.
Black and white photo of a wedding ceremony in san francisco's city hall with a bride and groom standing in front of a priest, holding hands while an older woman reaches out to them. Guests are seated on either side, with some taking pictures.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom sitting close together on a vintage-style sofa, touching foreheads and smiling. The bride is wearing a strapless wedding gown with a floral headpiece. The background features a staircase, framed photos of
Six women standing outdoors in a forest, holding colorful bouquets, smiling and engaging with each other, dressed in elegant dresses for a celebration.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with bride and groom standing under a tree, exchanging vows, surrounded by guests seated on wooden chairs, with string lights overhead and a scenic green landscape background.
A group of women dressed in traditional white dresses with purple, green, and gold accents, standing on a wooden deck with a city view in the background, celebrating a cultural event.
Two men in suits with bow ties, one in front sticking out his tongue and the other laughing, standing on a lawn in front San Francisco Conservatory with stained glass accents.
A young woman gently embraces an older woman from behind, resting her head on the older woman's shoulder as they both look out a window with blinds. The young woman is wearing a light-colored top and bracelet, while the older woman is wearing a dark
A bride and groom embracing outdoors surrounded by green foliage, with the groom kissing the bride on the head.
Bride and groom standing close together in front of a rustic wooden barn, with the bride holding a bouquet of white flowers, the bride wearing a white wedding gown and veil, and the groom in a gray suit with a white shirt and tie.
Couple getting married outdoors near San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The bride and groom are holding drinks, with guests celebrating around them, some taking photos.
an elopement couple at carmel by the sea looking at each other in their wedding day clothes
a nautical wedding couple on the pier in Sausalito after their wedding ceremony at casa madrona
A wedding reception with four people laughing and smiling. A woman in a white wedding dress is in the center, laughing with her head tilted back. To her right, a man in a dark tuxedo is also smiling. An older man in a blue suit and glasses is holding
A woman in a white dress, smiling and holding a purse, standing in a doorway of a Straus Home Ranch with pictures on the wall.
an interracial couple who just shared their first kiss after saying their i do's at the peacock gap venue in san rafael
an elopement couple photographed in front of the Jack London sign formerly a gas station in Jack London Square Oakland
a boho bride and her groom, holding her dog with flowers in her hair
a bride and her friend looking at the bride's vintage wedding dress she is about to put on
a black and white editorial photo of a bride and groom at the altar outside in the brazilian room and she is laughing from what the officiant, her brother just said
A black and white photo of a couple dancing closely at a wedding reception, with the bride in a strapless dress and the groom in a suit, embracing each other.
Four women laughing and talking outdoors with trees in the background, dressed in colorful summer dresses.
A couple in wedding attire exchanging leis at an outdoor wedding in Hawaii during sunset, with palm trees in the background.
An angled film photograph of a woman in a white dress standing indoors near a large window with a green outdoor background.
Four women laughing and smiling together indoors, sitting on a window seat, with one woman in a white dress, possibly at a celebration or gathering.
Two women kiss each other at a wedding outdoors during sunset, surrounded by greenery and trees.
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Celebrating wedding with people in formal attire, confetti and sparklers at night.
Group of women celebrating outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and a house in the background
http://cwagnerphotography.com
A couple walking hand in hand along a coastal cliff during sunset, with the ocean to the right and grassy land to the left.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors near the ocean, with the bride and groom standing under a small arch, surrounded by guests seated in front of lush greenery and overlooking the beach and water.
A bride and groom stand in a wooded outdoor setting, facing each other and smiling. The bride wears a white wedding gown, and the groom wears a dark suit. Sunlight filters through the trees in the background.
A newlywed couple kissing in a vineyard with rows of grapevines, a forested hillside, and a cloudy sky in the background.
A white wedding dress hanging from a hook in front of a window with a wooded landscape view, with a pair of white shoes placed on the window sill.
Multiple boutonnières with cream-colored flowers, green leaves, and decorative accents, arranged on a wooden surface.

Learn about our services

  • Documenting your day, taking a step back and just intentionally observing and going with the flow of your day. You and your guests set the pace. But I’m quick on my feet and intuitively follow along for all the moments and details of your day— as it happens naturally.

  • Digital-only wedding coverage starts at $6,000 with my Signature Hybrid coverage (digital + film) beginning at $7,000.

    Pricing is shaped by what you’ve planned and what matters most to you, like an engagement session, a second photographer, film, Super 8, and/or rehearsal dinner coverage.

    Weekday weddings and elopements begin at $3,500 (location planning and permit assistance available).

    All collections include responsive communication, a collaborative photography timeline, and your edited high-resolution images delivered in a personalized online gallery to view, download, and share.

  • After we’ve connected over email and or over the phone, whichever is your preference— I’ll create a custom proposal to include what we’ve discussed and detail all that you’ve shared with me of your wants out of your wedding day.

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