What’s the Difference Between Documentary and Editorial Wedding Photography?
Documentary vs Editorial
If you've started researching wedding photography styles, chances are you've come across two buzzwords: documentary and editorial. They sound fancy — and maybe a little confusing — but understanding the difference can help you choose a photographer (hi 👋) who captures your day exactly the way you imagine.
I’m Sadhbh (pronounced “Sive”), a wedding photographer based between Wānaka, New Zealand and Killarney, Ireland. I offer a blend of both documentary and editorial photography because I believe your wedding story deserves both the real moments and the refined magic.
Let’s explain the difference:
What Is Documentary Wedding Photography?
Documentary (also called photojournalistic or reportage) wedding photography is all about authenticity. This style captures the real, unscripted moments as they happen — no posing, no direction, just raw emotion and natural beauty.
Think:
Your dad tearing up as he sees you in your dress
A flower girl having a full-blown meltdown mid-aisle
The way your partner looks at you when they think no one else is watching
It’s candid, emotional, and honest — the kind of imagery that transports you back to how the day felt.
What Is Editorial Wedding Photography?
Editorial photography leans into the artistic, styled, and curated. Inspired by fashion magazines like Vogue, this approach uses intentional posing, composition, lighting, and styling to create timeless, cinematic images.
Think:
Clean, modern portraits with a sense of drama
Thoughtfully styled flat lays of your invitation suite
You and your partner looking like literal icons in golden-hour light
It’s polished, elegant, and visually striking — ideal for couples who love style and want their wedding gallery to feel magazine-worthy.
Why Not Choose Both?
Here’s the good news: You don’t have to pick one or the other. Most of my couples want a mix — the laughter and the tears and the jaw-dropping editorial portraits that look like they belong on a billboard.
That’s exactly how I approach every wedding: blending the storytelling of documentary photography with the beauty and direction of editorial. I might step back during your ceremony to let the real moments unfold naturally, then guide you into soft, relaxed poses later to create those dreamy, elevated couple portraits.
The result? A gallery that’s full of heart and style — just like you.
Final Thoughts
Whether you lean more documentary, more editorial, or somewhere in between, the most important thing is that your photos feel true to you. Your wedding isn’t a photoshoot — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And I’m here to capture it in a way that’s honest, beautiful, and entirely yours.
Thinking we might be a good fit? Let’s chat — I’d love to hear more about your day.
Planning Your Wedding in New Zealand or Ireland?
If you’re searching for a wedding photographer in Wānaka, Queenstown, or anywhere in Aotearoa or Ireland, I’d love to connect. I photograph weddings big and small — from adventurous elopements to joyful, music-filled celebrations back home in Ireland.
Get in Touch
Click here to enquire and tell me a bit about your wedding plans.
Ireland: May - October: 2025/2026
New Zealand: October - May 2025/2026
Are you ready to capture your love story IN IRELAND OR nEW ZEALAND? Contact me today to discuss your wedding photography needs and let's make your dream wedding day a reality. Follow my blog for more tips and inspiration on planning your perfect wedding. Happy planning lovers!
