DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR THOSE WHO WANT PHOTOS THAT look and feel like them
Preserve some of your most tender and genuine moments through a documentary photo session.
What Could a Documentary Session Look Like?
Anything that feels like you. Maybe it is:
A bouncy-house jumping contest at your friend’s bachelorette weekend
A pre-Thanksgiving football game (that gets way more competitive than planned)
A staycation with your fiancé at your favorite hotel, featuring running down hallways, snagging kisses in the elevator, and sipping cocktails
A dog-filled playdate with your best friends and their pups
What is Documentary Photography?
Documentary photography is a chronicle of significant real-life events, emotions, people, and environments in a straightforward way.
Documentary narratives could include:
A beginning, middle, and end
High-energy bursts, quiet pauses, and emotional moments
Separate portraits of two individuals, the individuals connecting, and the individuals running away and exploring together
Does Documentary Photography Include Posing?
Yes and no. In documentary photography, I don’t build big scenes—I create or notice moments. For example, about a third of a wedding day involves posing and prompts, but most of the day I stay present, watching for real emotion, light, and movement. I’ll step in with a prompt or minor adjustment when it enhances the narrative, but I’ll never interrupt a genuine moment.
Your Documentary Photography Process With Catherine Norwood
From our first chat to the moment you receive your gallery, my goal is to capture your life in a comfortable and encouraging way.
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1. The Consult
We begin by discussing your story, your family, and the moments that matter most to you. I want to know:
The people, moments, or details you really want captured
The vibe you’re going for—playful, cozy, chaotic, or all of it
Any location or activity ideas you have in mind
This helps me plan a session that feels natural and true to your life.
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2. Planning Your Session
Before we meet, I make sure everything is ready to capture your story:
Scout locations day of and check the light
Offer ideas for activities, outfits, or little things to bring
I usually recommend at least two hours so we can capture everything—the big, energetic moments, quiet pauses, individual portraits, and the little connections that make your story yours.
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3. During Your Session
During the session, I focus on following your life and staying ready for whatever happens:
Real moments. I capture life as it unfolds—laughs, glances, spontaneous chaos, and quiet interactions.
• • Gentle guidance. If a tiny adjustment—like moving toward better light or clearing a distraction—helps tell the story, I step in. Otherwise, I let things unfold in spontaneous moments. I’ll also prompt and pose here and there so I can capture anything missed in the candids.
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4. After Your Session
After the session, I carefully select and edit your images:
Delivered within one month
About 30 images per hour of photography
True-to-color, timeless edits that feel real
• • A gallery that tells your story—honest, vibrant, and fully you
Your answers to “How much is wedding photography for a Denver wedding vs a mountain wedding?” and “How long should I hire a wedding photographer?”
Types of Documentary Photo Sessions
Candid couples’ photos—like engagement sessions, focused on favorite locations or activities. View documentary proposals here.
Elopements and weddings—from courthouse ceremonies to mountain adventures. View documentary weddings here.
At-home documentary sessions—with family, pets, or visiting relatives. Family sessions work best when centered around favorite activities. View documentary portraits here.
Birthday parties, bachelorette or bachelor parties, and other celebrations
Behind-the-scenes photo stories for artists or small businesses
Any moments where you want genuine emotion documented
Why People Choose Documentary-Style Photography
People choose documentary photography because they want photos of life as it’s actually lived—vibrant, honest, and full of feeling.
Here’s what clients love most:
Feel natural and comfortable. Whether you love the camera or shy away from it, the session adapts to your energy.
Stay present. When you’re relaxed, I capture laughter, quiet gestures, and sweet, intimate interactions.
Photos that feel true-to-you. Honest, emotive images that reflect real energy and relationships.
Tiny details documented. Glances, hand-holding, your kiddo carrying grandma’s cookbook, the group hug in your first home—small moments that build the bigger story.
Collect lasting memories. This isn’t a magazine-cover, it’s a real-life record of the sweetness, chaos, and joy woven through your days.
MEET CATHERINE, A Documentary photographer
As an LGBTQIA+-owned business and inclusive photographer, I strive to create a warm and accepting environment for everyone.
With over 10 years of experience, extensive photography education, and hundreds of sessions completed, I’ve refined my honest and true-to-life photography and editing style to help tell a wide range of stories through photos.