Here’s something no one tells you: most people feel a little awkward in front of a camera. This is where documentary photography and guided posed photography can make a real difference in the end result of your photos.
Like, 90% of my clients start out by saying “We’re not photogenic” or “We never know what to do with our hands.” (Pro tip: your hands are fine. They’ve been with you your whole life. You’re doing great, I promise I got you!) Believe it or not, I’m actually really awkward myself on the other side of the camera, which is probably why I get it. I know what it feels like to suddenly wonder what to do with your hands or worry if your smile looks weird, or how to stand.
That’s why my approach :: the Elora Danen Experience :: isn’t about stiff posing or leaving you hanging to figure it out. It’s about finding the sweet spot between posed and documentary, so you get photos that you can look back on and feel something. You know, the kind where you can say, ‘I remember exactly how I felt or what you said (or did) during those pose!’
Whether it’s a wedding, an elopement in the mountains, a paddle-board engagement session, or a 35-year anniversary shoot, my philosophy stays the same: I’m a fly on the wall when it matters, and I take charge when it counts.
So, What’s “Posed Photography”?
When people hear “posed,” they picture their grandma’s wedding album where everyone looks like they’re auditioning for a mugshot. Let’s not do that.
For me, “posed” really means guided. It’s the part of the experience where I step in and give you enough direction to keep you from feeling like deer in headlights.
Instead of, “Stand there and smile,” you’ll hear me say things like:
- “Walk toward me like you’re late for bottomless mimosas.”
- “Whisper your favorite guilty-pleasure snack into their ear.”
- “Okay, now kiss her forehead like you actually mean it, not like you’re kissing your aunt at Thanksgiving.” (okay, so maybe not that exact one, but you get the idea.)
See? Not so scary. You’re moving, laughing, and being yourselves. The “pose” isn’t really a pose. Rather, it’s a prompt that lets you relax and forget you’re in front of a camera.
And yes, posed photos are important. Believe it or not, they are the ones you’ll frame, send to your family, or put on your holiday card. But posed does not have to mean stiff, JCPenny poses. My goal is to always make that pose help you look polished without feeling fake or uncomfortable.
Documentary Photography (aka The Part Where You Don’t Have to Think)
Here’s the thing: documentary photography is one of the most misunderstood terms in the wedding and photography industry. A lot of photographers throw it around to mean “candid” or “natural,” but the reality is that true documentary means I, as your photographer, literally do not step in at all.
No prompts, No, “hold hands and walk this way, and No, “stand in this patch of light.” Nothing. It’s full fly-on-the-wall mode.
Documentary though, is when the real moments happen. The moments you can’t plan, stage or recreate:
- The inside jokes between you two that no one else gets.
- Your flower girl sneaking three cupcakes like it’s her full-time job.
- Your parents sharing a quick glance during your vows.
- Or during an anniversary session, the moment you both laugh so hard you can’t breathe because one of you tripped over your own feet.
This is the part of the Elora Danen Experience where you don’t have to think, pose, or perform. You just exist, and I’ll be there getting all the moments…even the ones you didn’t think you would want. Half the time, you won’t even realize I’m in the room until you see the photos later.
For me, documentary is about storytelling, the real kind of memories we otherwise forget, or thought we forgot. The ones that make you look back years later and say, “I can’t believe we got that on camera!”
Why I Blend the Two: Documentary photography & Posed
Now, full transparency: my approach isn’t 100% documentary. It’s documentary with a twist. True documentary means zero interference, but that’s not how I work. I blend in, yes, but I also know when to step up.
Sometimes that means giving you a quick prompt so you don’t feel lost (“walk toward me like you’re late for brunch”). Other times, it’s tweaking the prompt itself if I can tell it’s not clicking, because trust me, I can tell when someone feels (or looks) uncomfortable. I read people like a book. Maybe that means shifting you a couple feet into better light, or fixing that one stray hair before it gives you heartache in every single photo.
So while there are plenty of moments where I let life unfold naturally, I’m also right there guiding when needed to make sure your photos not only feel real but also look their best.
If I only did posed photos, your gallery would look too perfect, like a catalog and let’s be real…after you have a consultation call with me, that is not the reason why you hired me. If I only did documentary, you’d miss the key moments you know you want for keeps.
So I blend both. Think of it like traveling: sometimes you’ve got the trip planned down to the minute (so you don’t miss the Eiffel Tower), and other times you just wander into a random café that ends up being the highlight of the trip. Both are important. Both tell the story.
That’s why the Elora Danen Experience is structured enough so you get what you need and flexible enough to catch everything you didn’t even realize you wanted.
What Documentary Photography + Posed Actually Looks Like
Here’s how it plays out in real life, no matter what type of session you book or have booked with me.
Engagement & Couple Sessions
These are the sessions where people say, “We’re so awkward in front of the camera.” Honestly, that’s my favorite. These sessions to me are never full documentary photography focused because the reality, that just doesn’t make sense!
Instead of making you hold still for 20 minutes, I’ll prompt you to walk, laugh, tease each other, or even splash around in the water if that’s your vibe. You’ll feel silly for about 30 seconds, then you’ll forget the camera’s there.
And pro tip? The laughter that comes from feeling awkward usually turns into the most genuine smiles.
Elopements
Elopements are full of adventure, which means documentary photography vibes often take the lead. And honestly, that is usually what my couples want. You are hiking, laughing, holding hands, stopping to catch your breath, and soaking in the scenery. These are the moments that happen naturally, and they are the reason so many people choose to elope in the first place. You do not need me telling you how to hold hands while standing on the edge of a mountain. You just need to be in the moment, and I will be there to capture it.
That being said, I also know you are not hiking all that way just for candids. You want those “frame it above the fireplace” shots too. So while I stay true to the documentary feel of the day, I will pause you when the light is perfect, or guide you into a spot that shows off the view, or give you a quick prompt so you look as natural as you feel. It is not about stiff posing; it is about elevating the story that is already unfolding.
That is the beauty of an elopement: it is a balance of presence and polish. You get to fully experience the day without worrying about the camera, but you also walk away with those jaw-dropping images that remind you just how incredible it felt.
Weddings
Weddings are where the mix really matters.
- Getting Ready: documentary photography heavy. Friends hyping you up, parents getting emotional, coffee cups and curling irons everywhere. Honestly, this part of the day does not need to be perfect, because it is real life and that is what makes it fun. (Except maybe when we do those individual bridal or groom portraits. That is when I will do a quick sweep to hide the coffee cups and random shoe boxes so it looks like you did not get ready in total chaos, ha!) I will capture it all, from the laughter to the nerves, and if I see dreamy light by the window, I will probably slide you over there like a game of human Tetris.
- Ceremony: this is as close to fly-on-the-wall as it gets. I try my best not to interrupt guests or step in front of anyone, but every venue is different, so I adjust to the space. My goal is always to be discreet and respectful while still catching the moments that matter most. Including your guests reactions! You may or may not even notice me moving around, but later you will see why there is so much movement as a photographer during the ceremony to catch every tear, every laugh, and every glance.
- Family Photos: This is my “get it done” moment. I will wrangle the people, get the shot, and set them free before anyone starts eyeing the cocktail menu. If I have a second photographer with me, they will often step in to help line people up or grab the next group, then slip away into cocktail hour to capture those candid mingling moments.
- If you are not sure whether you actually need a second photographer, I wrote a blog post that breaks it all down for you. You can read it here: The Pros and Cons of Having a Second Photographer at Your Wedding. It is a great place to start if you are deciding whether one makes sense for your day.
- Reception: pure documentary chaos with that twist I mentioned. I’ll be in the middle of the dance floor, dodging drinks, and catching grandma busting out moves no one saw coming.
Anniversaries & “Just Because” Sessions
These are some of my favorites. There’s less pressure, more laughter, and usually more freedom to just play. It’s the kind of session where you bring comfy shoes, we wander, and I catch you just being you.
For the People Who Don’t Love Cameras
If you’ve ever said, “We’re not photogenic,” I’m here to tell you: that’s not real. 1. You don’t need to be a model. 2. You don’t need to know what to do with your hands. 3. You don’t need to be “good” at taking photos.
You just need to show up. I’ll handle the rest.
Most of my clients come in nervous, and they leave saying, “That was actually fun” or “That was so much more relaxing than I expected!”. These are always my favorite compliments, because it is never about perfection to me, it is about connection. The awkwardness at the beginning is something I help you through with easy prompts and lighthearted direction so you never feel stuck wondering what to do, but you still feel like you. Before long, the nerves usually turn into laughter, and that laughter turns into the kind of photos you will love.
Even those little worries, like “Do I look weird when I laugh?” or “What do I even do with my hands?” (yes, I know you have practiced in the mirror), fade away once you realize I will not leave you hanging. I am there to make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and like yourselves. Those are the moments that have ended up being most of my clients favorite photos, because they feel the most real.
Why Documentary Photography vs. Posed Matters
So, should you choose posed vs, documentary photography? The answer is: Choose both. And neither one over the other. The best photos come from a mix that feels natural, seamless, and true to you, because at the end of the day, you’re not hiring me just to take photos. You’re hiring me to tell your story. Whether it’s one day, one milestone, or just one hour in the desert or mountains.
The Elora Danen Experience is about:
- Feeling comfortable (even if you “hate having your photo taken”).
- Getting a mix of polished, frame-worthy images and real, candid moments.
- Having someone in your corner who knows when to step in and when to step back.
- Walking away with photos that make you say, “That feels like us.”
Real Talk
I think my approach comes from how I live life. I love to travel, and travel teaches you to embrace both structure and spontaneity. You plan the flight, but the highlight is usually the random coffee shop you found on accident.
That’s how I approach stories is with a mix of posed and documentary photography. We’ll plan the key shots, but the moments that happen in between? Those usually end up being the favorites.
And hey, let’s be real…if you’re still worried about what to do with your hands or how to stand, I promise: they’ll find something to do. (Worst case? Hold your partner’s hand, a dress, a flower. Anything really works too!)
Ready for Photos That Actually Feel Like You?
If you’re planning a wedding, elopement, or session in Colorado, Arizona, or anywhere the adventure takes you and you want photos that are real, fun, and don’t make you feel like a cardboard cutout, let’s chat amd start planning your adventure ➝