A Wedding Photojournalist Association Top 150 International Wedding Photographers
Candid Wedding Photography that tells your story – the way it really happened.
Award-Winning, Documentary Wedding Photographer
Based in Seattle, Washington
start the process now
Don’t spend the day posing for your wedding photographer. Be with your family and friends, knowing the love, laughter, and tears will be carefully captured with timeless, candid wedding photography.
When I began shooting weddings, I knew I didn't want to take those same photos that everyone else makes. I wanted to make photos that were more real. My goal is not just to make pretty pictures of your wedding day. My job is to tell the story of your wedding day: the laughter, the hugs, the tears.
This is why my work is mostly undirected, unposed, and as candid as possible. Sure I can help you when we take a few portraits, but ultimately, I want to capture the day as it really happened. Spontaneous hugs and funny faces and tears of joy. Unrepeatable moments that only ever happen once.
I don't work from a long check list of shots, and I don't need to have every moment of the wedding day scripted. Because being intentionally unintentional allows me to observe reality as it happens and allows you to be in the moment of your once in a life-time day. Because being in the moment, creates moments.
Learn more about Ben
Authenticity over Posed Perfection
Meet Ben – Candid Seattle Wedding Photographer
Wedding Photography Reviews
— Ben and Tess
"We LOVED seeing the way Ben was able to capture our guests"
— Helen and Kevin
"If you're looking for a documentary style wedding photographer, Ben is your guy!"
— Amy and Mike
"Incredible... Felt relaxed but also got all the shots I wanted"
— Sam and Sam
"Ben made everything easy, fun, worry-free and allowed us to just live our day"
— Justin and Nataly
"you are like, whoa I am so thankful he caught" that!!"
— Aimee and Kevin
"Attentive to capture our day... a huge recommendation!!"
— Matt and Tessaly
"The photographs he took really capture the joy and love we felt."
— Elizabeth and Don
"he was everywhere and got the best candid photos"
— Mary and Larry
"I've never had a picture that looked like me, until Ben"
— Kassandra and Chris
"Reflecting on that day, Ben was a super star!"
— Louie and sam
"professional, easy to work with, and most of all, took great photos"
— Angelica and Kegan
"From start to finish, Ben was a true professional."
Oh they're off doing photos, they tell you as you enjoy the cocktail hour(s) while the couple are off doing setup after setup of photos, one of which will get hung on the wall. The average Bride, for a standard 8 hour wedding day and with a traditional timeline, often gets less than 2 hours of time with family and friends. All the time spent getting ready, the ceremony itself, of course the hours of staged photos.
Let's get you that time back. I became a documentary photographer because I believe that Weddings are not about the photographer. Weddings are about a dad's tears when he sees his daughter in her dress, they're about funny faces on the dance floor, they're about hugs. Weddings are about shared moments.
gets less than 2 hours of time with family and friends. All the time spent getting ready, the ceremony itself, of course the hours of staged photos.
Let's get you that time back. I became a documentary wedding photographer because I believe that Weddings are not about the photographer. Weddings are about a dad's tears when he sees his daughter in her dress, they're about funny faces on the dance floor, they're about hugs. Weddings are about shared moments.
h they're off doing photos, they tell you as you enjoy the cocktail hour(s) while the couple are off doing setup after setup of photos, one of which will get hung on the wall. The average Bride, for a standard 8 hour wedding day and with a traditional timeline, often
start the process now!
How many weddings have you been to where you showed up, watched a beautiful ceremony, and then the bride and groom disappeared?
I'm Ben Wagner, a Documentary Wedding Photographer Based in Seattle, Washington
Let's get to know Each Other
"Ben captures beautiful moments and people"
— Liz, Engagement Client
Every wedding package includes a discount on engagement sessions. The engagement session gives us a great chance to meet, work together, and get comfortable. When the big day comes, it's not a stranger taking your wedding photos, but a trusted collaborator.
Discount on prints are also included, and engagement photos are a great way to spruce up your save-the-dates, invitations, and even reception decor.
Offering
"With all the events of the day I didn't even notice him running around, yet he got the best candid shots!"
— Kassandra, 2023 Bride
Documentary Wedding Photography that tells the story of your day as it really happened. Rather than posing for hours, we'll get you to your party quick so you can enjoy the day, your guests, and the experience while knowing each moment will be faithfully documented and preserved with a timeless, photojournalistic style.
Candid Wedding Photography
Offering
"It makes me cry every time I watch it"
— Tessaly, 2022 Bride
Your package can include a one of a kind PhotoFilm, combining the finished candid wedding photography, audio recorded throughout your wedding day, and music to make a wholly unique photographic documentary.
Rather than just capture one-off still images, the PhotoFilm is a powerful keepsake that tells the entire story of your wedding day, from your bridal prep, to the grand exit. An audiovisual memory of your once-in-a-lifetime that you can revisit again and again.
Documentary PhotoFilm
Offering
Documentary Wedding Photography Offerings
Recent Wedding Photography
Below is a selection of some recent documentary wedding and elopement photography from the Journal.
These galleries represent the types of photographs a client receives when they hire me as their wedding photographer, and are typical of the storytelling I believe is essential to my style of documentary wedding photography.
In these weddings you will see a variety of images, from portraits to emotional, candid moments. My wedding and weekend packages also include a 4K Wedding PhotoFilm, a unique photographic documentary of your wedding day.
Industry Recognition
