Documentary Maine Wedding at the 1774 Inn

I have photographed at the 1774 Inn, in Phippsburg, Maine, many times, and it has easily become one of my favorite Maine wedding venues to photograph at. Their oceanside setting for a summer wedding is so peaceful and quiet, set back inside a seacoast town of maine. The 1774 is a cute little historic property with a 18th century farmhouse as a getting ready space.

Brittany and Steve chose to have an intimate wedding day, with their closest family and friends. Maine was still a destination wedding for some who had traveled in from out of town, so it was really fun to watch their family and friends enjoy the coastal landscapes of what the 1774 Inn had to offer. When chatting about their wedding photography, they explained that they wanted a more photojournalistic + natural feel to their photos, with an emphasis on candids and documentary photography. I loved that they were asking for this + was able to stay a fly on the wall for the entire event.

How do I approach documentary wedding photography?

In my experience, most couples that choose to have a documentary approach really prioritize their time with their loved ones and experience on their wedding day, rather than a “production” of the day. So I do my best to capture the event as a whole, from the details to the people to the ambiance into the night. My favorite part of documentary photography is that there aren’t many scripted moments, so you never know what you’re going to get. As opposed to telling children to smile and look into the camera, i’m able to get their real personalities and let them shine through.

Why would someone choose documentary photography over posed imagery?

Many value this approach, because of the ability to have someone document with an obtrusive approach. When you hire someone for documentary wedding photography, they will do their best to not let their presence and camera affect any of the moments of your day. It is our goal to feel like one of the guests , with little to no interruption with camera, so we tend to blend in. Usually this approach works well for people that are a bit shyer and don’t want as much attention on them or really just value the human connection centered approach. When i’m not telling someone to smile or act a certain way for photos, I’m much more able to capture their genuine interactions.

Another reason that documentary photography has become popular amongst wedding couples is being able to see their day back through my lens, with all the moments that they weren’t apart of. Though, don’t get me wrong, I do love to pose a few photos if you’re wanting some jaw dropping portaits too. I’ve coined the term “docutorial” for my version of photography which I like to say is a nice balance between a documentary and editorial approach. An editorial approach just means posing a little more + taking a moment that’s happening and put it in a more aesthetic place, for the purpose of creating your wedding art.

Personally, I also do my best to capture tones as naturally as they appear in real life, with my slight artistic touch on them. I do my best to never change your wedding colors in images or the true beauty of a day.

Comprehensive Storytelling that showcases Maine’s beauty at 1774 Inn

If you’re looking for a fresh and authentic perspective for your Maine wedding at 1774 Inn, I’d love to document your day + tell your story back through my lens and show you all of the moments, emotions and scenery from your day in an artful way.

There is so much to love about this venue and the Maine surroundings, but you’ll have to take a look for yourself. After you look through Brittany and Steve’s wedding album, feel free to reach out here if you think we’d be a good fit, + we can discuss my availability for your wedding!

If you’re on the hunt for stunning Maine Wedding venues, check out this Maine garden wedding at The Garden Gate at Haley Farm

Wedding vendors from this 1774 inn wedding:

Venue: The 1774 Inn

Flowers: Eldebery Floral

Hair and makeup: Bridal artistry by Missy and Haley

Band: Sam james

Catering: The Pig Kahuna

Cake: Two Fat cats bakery