Finding the Best Wedding Photographer (For You)

Hi, I’m Tyler Jordan Soucy, a documentary wedding photographer based in Connecticut, who works with couples worldwide. I believe that weddings are meant to be lived, not performed. This journal is where I share some of my quick insights as a documentary photographer, and I hope that you find something useful or inspiring here.

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Depending on your priorities, choosing your wedding photographer can be one of the most intimate and personal decisions you make when planning your wedding. We’re with you more than almost anyone else that day, and we have access to a vulnerability that few others get to see—a vulnerability that can be embraced and protected, rather than hidden behind posed photos and staged moments.

Photography has the power to capture authentic moments in a truly personal and unadulterated way—one that will strike a chord with you as you look back at your wedding day images for years to come.

With so many photographers and photography styles to choose from, it can feel like a big, sometimes confusing, undertaking. It’s crucial to find a photographer whose ethos and priorities align with yours.

Here’s a brief explanation of different photography styles to help you figure out which one speaks most to you.

Documentary Wedding Photography

I believe that weddings should be about your experience of the day—not about performing for the camera. A documentary wedding photographer’s role is to observe and capture all moments, big and small, in the most natural way possible—with minimal interruption or influence over how things unfold. The simple math is this: the more you're pulled away for formal photos, the less time you have to immerse yourself in your own wedding.

While other styles, like traditional or fine art photography, might appeal to couples seeking a more polished representation of their wedding, the documentary approach gives you the breathing room you need for moments to unfold naturally—the moments that turn into core memories. And being fully present? That's what makes for the best photos.

This is my approach to 99% of my wedding photography. While my portrait work takes on a light editorial style as needed, I use natural prompts to ensure the photos remain as true to you as the rest of the day.

Traditional Wedding Photography

Traditional wedding photography is characterized by its structured, posed images. If you value perfectly organized moments and directed portraits of yourself and your guests, this might be the style for you. Typically, the photographer directs the majority of moments and works from a shot list to ensure everything looks picture-perfect. For couples who prefer a controlled, formal approach to their photos, traditional photography can be an excellent choice.

Fine Art Wedding Photography

Fine art wedding photography blends artistic composition with elegance. The photographer focuses on creating images that emphasize directional lighting, color theory, and a high-fashion aesthetic. A fine art photographer will guide you through certain moments of the day to craft a polished, stylized look—often soft, dreamy, and cinematic. This style is a great option for couples who value its distinct, curated look.

Editorial Wedding Photography

Editorial wedding photography is a close cousin to documentary wedding photography. While it’s much less of a candid, photojournalistic approach, it still emphasizes storytelling. It’s purposefully staged, constructed, and posed but in a way that looks more natural than traditional and fine art photography.

Why Documentary Photography is So Special

Capturing moments frozen in time—moments that would have unfolded exactly as they are, even without my presence—is what excites me most about documentary photography. I feel lucky to be there for those exact moments, and grateful for my ability to document them. It’s those truly candid images that move me, and I know I’ve done my job when I emotionally connect with the photos, because I know you will too. There’s a certain magic that comes with collecting memories—one none of us will experience when poses are being directed, furniture is being positioned, or someone is being asked to put their shoes on for the third time in a row.

Choosing a documentary photographer means prioritizing being present on your wedding day and letting all of the little moments between each other, your family, and your friends be captured in a way that just can’t be faked.

(FAQ: My Guide to Documentary Wedding Photography)

Conclusion: Trust your gut

Whether you connect most with documentary, traditional, fine art, or editorial photography, the key is finding a photographer whose work and ethos resonates with you. It will allow you feel at ease and confident on your wedding day.

If you want to learn about how my documentary approach can help preserve your memories in a way that feels honest and true to you, let’s get in touch.