An Intentional California Destination Wedding Told Through Documentary Style Wedding Photography
Some wedding days feel different the moment you walk into them. Not because they’re over-designed or perfectly curated, but because the focus is exactly where it should be: on the people, the connection, and the experience of being there together. So, if you care more about feeling present than performing for the camera, and you want a day where you can show up as yourselves without second-guessing anything, this is for you! As a destination wedding photographer, these are the kinds of celebrations I’m most drawn to. Days that feel intentional, inclusive, and grounded, where my job is to document what’s already happening, not control it. This California destination wedding was a beautiful reminder of why I love documenting love stories that don’t follow a script, especially when they’re rooted in connection, intention, and joy.
Margot and Chloe’s Whimsical Wedding in California
Margot's younger sister, Charlotte, is one of my best friends, so when Margot got engaged, she asked me to come to California to photograph her wedding… Which was an immediate yes, obviously!
Margot and Chloe’s day was just so them. It was the kind of wedding that felt so serene and peaceful, where you could tell that every single detail had meaning behind it! There was an intentionally slow timeline, the sunlight hit just right all day, and you could tell that every part of the day told Margot and Chloe’s story. And honestly, those are my favorite kinds of days: the ones that focus on connection and love above all. Photographing LGBTQ+ couples in a way that feels natural, celebratory, and true to them is something I care deeply about.
It mattered to them that their wedding didn’t turn into one long photoshoot. They wanted to stay with their people, stay grounded in the moment, and actually experience their day instead of stepping away from it. That meant less posing, fewer interruptions, and a lot more trust that their story would be documented honestly as it unfolded!
Them focusing on a documentary photography style allowed me to do what I do best: capture the art in the little moments. The hugs shared between family members. The tears on their friends’ faces during the ceremony. The small giggles shared between the couple, that they didn’t think anyone else saw.
From the rainbow sprinkles guests tossed after the ceremony to the flower girl’s speech that had everyone (me included!) in tears, the day was full of personality and joy. It felt relaxed, honest, and completely true to Margot and Chloe.
The vendors from this day were absolutely fantastic, and I can’t recommend them enough!
Venue: Foxen Canyon Ranch
Hair: Tori Kunkle
Makeup: Julie Christy
Dresses: Gamberdella
Bakery: Drover's Doughnuts and Sugar Lips Mini Donuts
Florals: Bella Florist & Gifts
Caterer: Field to Table
Live Band: Cardinal Gold (On the Beat)
Planner: Amanda Silvia
What is Documentary-Style Wedding Photography?
Documentary-style wedding photography allows me to capture the story of your day in the way that it naturally unfolds. It brings a whole lot of presence and no awkward posing! It’s a win-win. And for LGBTQ+ couples, documentary-style photography creates space to be seen and celebrated without feeling performative.
Don’t get me wrong, documentary-style wedding photography doesn’t mean that you’ll get zero formal photos and zero direction, it just means that I’ll be guiding you in a way that feels more like a fun suggestion and less like a prom photo pose.
The result of being photographed this way? A gallery that tells a story organically, emotionally, and beautifully. And it gets me every time.
Why Choose Documentary-Style Wedding Photography for Your Day?
If you want to feel natural, not stiff, on your day, be present in your day, and have the moments of connection that matter the most to you captured, then documentary-style wedding photography might be right for you!
No rigid posing, no awkward “where do I put my hands?” feeling, just room to breathe, relax, and move naturally through the day.
And that’s where I come in: I know how to capture all the right moments that create memories you’ll never want to forget. I’ll find the moments where your personality shines through (as it should!), the moments that everyone was cheering for your love, and the moments that feel true to how your wedding day actually felt.
Why Documentary Style Wedding Photography Works Great for a Destination Wedding
Destination weddings tend to attract couples who care less about tradition and more about authenticity, which makes documentary photography a natural fit!
This is honestly one of my favorite styles of wedding to capture in this way. Destination weddings naturally create space for slower timelines, deeper connection, and more presence, which is exactly why documentary-style photography works so well for them!
Tips for Getting the Perfect Documentary-Style Wedding Photos
If you want a gallery that really tells the story of your day, I have a few tips on how to make sure that your gallery turns out to be everything you’ve dreamt of.
Be yourself – the best moments come when you’re being authentic and true to yourself. Documentary-style wedding photography focuses a lot on personality, so make sure it’s there!
Be present in the day – the whole point of documentary-style wedding photography is that you’re focusing less on the camera, and more on the current moment. Don’t worry about if you have a double chin in a photo, if you’re dancing awkwardly, or what your makeup looks like! Focus on what actually matters: the fact that you’re starting forever with your person.
Hire a photographer that you feel comfortable with – you deserve a photographer who not only makes you feel comfortable, but truly sees you: your relationship, your identity, and the way you show love.
Ashley Olafsson Photography | Destination Wedding Photographer
If you’re planning a destination wedding or an intentional, non-traditional celebration, and you want it documented in a way that feels calm, inclusive, and true to you, I’d love to be there! As a destination wedding photographer who works in a documentary style and proudly photographs couples of all identities, my goal is always the same: to create space for you to feel safe, present, and fully yourselves on your wedding day.
You can inquire about booking me here. I’d love to connect!
