Let’s Talk About “Documentary,” “Editorial,” and All the Other Buzzwords in Wedding Photography

by an Arizona Luxury Wedding Photographer Who’s Over the Confusion (Lovingly)

At some point in your wedding planning process, you’ve probably heard the terms:

Documentary. Editorial. True to life. Moody. Film-inspired. Light and airy.

They sound great, don’t they? Except… what do they actually mean?

As a wedding photographer based in Arizona who specializes in both digital and film photography, I want to help demystify these labels—not because they’re inherently bad, but because they’re being used in ways that honestly just aren’t helping couples make informed decisions. And as an industry, we owe you better.

The Problem with Photography Buzzwords

Photographers—especially in the luxury and fine art space—use aspirational language to describe their work. That’s marketing. That’s SEO. It makes sense. But somewhere along the line, the definitions got blurry.

Let’s break it down:

• Documentary: At its core, this means completely hands-off, real-time storytelling. No posing. No redos. Just moments as they unfold. Think: photojournalism. The problem? Many people say “documentary” when they really mean “natural-looking candids with gentle direction.”

• Documentary-style: This is the more honest term for most wedding work. It’s guided when needed, but still heavy on the observational side. The photographer might fix your train, then step back and let the real moment happen. This is where a ton of modern wedding photographers sit (and honestly, where most self-proclaimed "documentary" wedding photographers sit).

• Editorial: Traditionally, this means high fashion, dramatic lighting, and intentional art direction—like a spread in Vogue. But the word has been watered down. These days, you’ll see someone describe their work as editorial when it just means the couple is standing still and looking cool. (Hey, no shade, I still use this word in the "watered down" sense when speaking to my couples, BUT it's important to know the real thing if that's what you really want for your entire wedding photo experience).

• Candid: A real candid means it happened without interference. But “candid” has become a catch-all in the tornado of social media buzzwords. In truth, most “candids” you see at weddings are semi-posed and then loosened up with movement or prompts.

Then there’s “true to color,” “film-inspired,” “light and airy,” “moody,” “fine art,” “timeless,” “whimsical,” “romantic,” and the list goes on.

Why This Matters for You

As a couple, it can feel like you need a translation guide just to talk to your photographer. That shouldn’t be the case. So here’s my gentle suggestion: once you’ve narrowed it down and found a photographer whose work you feel something from—ditch the buzzwords. Speak plainly.

Try:

💬 “I love how soft the light looks in these reference photos.”

💬 “This photo feels like a real moment. Not stiff or overly edited.”

💬 “I like when things aren’t perfect—when the champagne is half-poured or the dress is a little windswept.”

💬 “I like when there's perfect symmetry in lines and buildings.”

💬 “I want to look like myself, but like the best version.”

💬 “I want to feel like a model for a moment.”

💬 “I love when photos feel lived-in. Not overly styled.”

💬 “I love when the photos are perfectly airbrushed, perfectly styled; all the lines match up!”

💬 “I want it to feel warm, nostalgic. Like old film photos from my parents’ wedding.”

Remember, the goal is to create that "shared language", and there are no right or wrong preferences!

Let’s Call a Moratorium on Misusing These Terms

I say this with love: it’s time to retire the vague, overused terms and get back to real conversation -- at least when you're actually having conversations with your photographer (ie. deciding if they're the right fit, and especially after the consult call, when you're defining that shared language of what you really want and how you want to feel.)

Part of the confusion comes from the industry itself. With such a low barrier to entry, it’s not uncommon for newer photographers to parrot terms they’ve seen online, using SEO aspirationally—advertising editorial when their portfolio doesn’t reflect it yet, or calling everything documentary because it sounds artsy and hands-off.

None of this is meant to shame. We all start somewhere. But for you, the client, the bride, the planner, the person investing in your memories—it’s important to understand what you’re actually getting.

What I Believe

As an Arizona luxury wedding photographer, I create work that honors real emotion, movement, and thoughtful composition. I shoot on both digital and film (often on 35mm and 120 format) to give your day an elevated, tangible feeling. I lean into the beautiful in-between moments, the human touch, the fleeting expressions. Some of it is guided. Some of it is not (depending on your preferences). All of it is intentional.

You don’t need to know the right words. You just need to know how you want it to feel. And maybe a couple reference images that you feel drawn to.

Let's talk more