Hands in documentary wedding photography

As a mainly documentary wedding photographer, I prefer to work in a candid photography style, capturing events as they happen without asking people to pose for the camera. This approach gives wedding couples more natural photos and memories of their wedding day.

While I’m following you during the wedding day, I’m always looking out for expressions and gestures that will tell a story. Usually, this means I’m hunting for moments when people are naturally laughing or smiling. But I’m also trying to catch emotions expressed through hands.

Here’s how hands tell the story in documentary wedding photography

Maybe a bride’s hands are gripped tight with nerves.

A quartet of friends’ hands are working together to button up the wedding dress.

Oh, and wedding days are full of high fives!

Guests hold hands during the ceremony.

Sometimes a hand reaches out to wipe away tears.

During the night, people fling their hands in the air while dancing.

And reach out to grab a friend’s hand in celebration!

So many emotions are revealed through your hands! Those stories are what I’m trying to capture as a candid wedding photographer.

Below, you’ll find a collection of photojournalistic black-and-white wedding photos featuring hands. These are some of my favourite, in-the-moment, storytelling photos from weddings I’ve photographed.

If you’re getting married and you like this style of documentary wedding photography, please send me a quick message to see if I’m available on your wedding date.