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.
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime experience filled with genuine, subtle, and meaningful interactions. As a documentary wedding photographer, I've observed how different photography styles can significantly shape not only your photographs but also the entire experience of getting married.
Traditional wedding photography can often make your day feel like a staged production—posed, planned, and meticulously controlled. Documentary photography takes a different approach, allowing real moments and your emotional experience to be prioritized. Picture yourselves genuinely enjoying each moment of the day without the distraction or pressure of performing for the camera. It’s about creating space to breathe, relax, and truly connect with the people around you.
For many of us, the idea of hiring a photographer can trigger feelings of anxiety—even dread. It’s completely normal to feel awkward or self-conscious in front of a camera. In fact, I've observed that heavily directed poses often serve as more of a temporary band-aid than an actual remedy for any discomfort. When you remove the expectations, something remarkable happens: the performance anxiety around the camera fades away, replaced by genuine ease and authenticity. Couples who initially tell me they're camera-shy often find themselves forgetting the camera is even there, not because I'm off hiding in some corner taking photos with a long lens, but because they're able to be fully resign themselves to being present in the moment.
[READ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY]
The photographs that resonate with me most deeply are those where you can sense that people are fully immersed in the experience. If an image moves me emotionally, which is my ultimate goal, I know it will mean even more to you. Photographs are powerful because they preserve real memories and feelings. The last thoughts I'd ever want you to have when revisiting your wedding day are, "Oh, this is when Tyler told us to laugh," or "this was the third time I had to put my shoes on." Those photos may be fine for some, but to me, they lack depth, and they simply pull you away from what's really important during the day.
Having photographed over 75 weddings, one thing remains consistently clear: each celebration is completely unique and deserves to be treated as such. Approaching your day without a preconceived shot list ensures that your relationship is captured authentically, without imposing scenes or expectations from someone else’s wedding onto yours.
When you, your family, and your friends aren't confined by a rigid, predetermined timeline built entirely around photography, your wedding becomes a day to truly experience rather than perform. When you have space to naturally interact and breathe, the entire atmosphere shifts. You're free to fully immerse yourself, whether that's catching up with loved ones or sharing a quiet moment without interruption. Your timeline should feel comfortable, flexible, and centered around your priorities—not the other way around.
[READ: REWRITING THE WEDDING TIMELINE]
The story of a wedding often lies in the subtle interactions between people. Being able to read the room and anticipate those moments is where a documentary wedding photographer thrives—it's our Super Bowl. Quick glances between family members, candid laughter among friends, and unexpected gestures of affection—these moments form the emotional core of your wedding day. While wedding trends have a shelf-life, genuine moments simply stand the test of time. When revisiting your photographs decades from now, you'll want to reconnect instantly to the memories and feelings you shared.
If a wedding experience centered around real moments and being fully present aligns with your vision, I'd love to hear from you. Let's talk about how we can document your day in a way that feels both artistic and genuinely reflective of you.
