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Woodinville Wedding Photographer: Document, Don’t Direct A few years ago when I was just starting out I photographed a wedding where the bride and groom opted for a “walking up the aisle” first look, having been separate the entire morning. I was standing in the aisle with an 85mm lens locked onto the groom to […]

Woodinville Wedding Photographer Willows Lodge

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Woodinville Wedding Photographer: Document, Don’t Direct A few years ago when I was just starting out I photographed a wedding where the bride and groom opted for a “walking up the aisle” first look, having been separate the entire morning. I was standing in the aisle with an 85mm lens locked onto the groom to […]

Woodinville Wedding Photographer Willows Lodge

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Woodinville Wedding Photographer Willows Lodge

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Woodinville Wedding Photographer: Document, Don’t Direct A few years ago when I was just starting out I photographed a wedding where the bride and groom opted for a “walking up the aisle” first look, having been separate the entire morning. I was standing in the aisle with an 85mm lens locked onto the groom to […]

Woodinville Wedding Photographer: Why I Love This Photo

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Wedding Photography

Bride surrounded by wedding guests for an impromptu hug

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How I Achieved My Best Documentary Wedding Photography 2024 was a banner year for Ben Wagner Photography. Most importantly I became a father — and my personal photography completely changed. Personal projects were abandoned or put on hiatus for more time (and photos) with baby. But it was also the year in which I felt […]

The Best Documentary Wedding Photography of 2024

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Wedding Photography

Bride and Groom portrait at Mt. Rainier National Park.

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Mt Rainier Wedding Photography at Eatonville’s Pack Forest Conference Center. Documentary Wedding Photography from Seattle Wedding Photographer Ben Wagner.

Mt Rainier Wedding Photography | Pack Forest Conference Center Summer Wedding

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Wedding Photography

Wedding guest tearfully hugs the bride at Guemes Island Resort

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When I quit my job to pursue photography full-time, establishing myself as Seattle Wedding Photographer, I knew I wanted to pursue a documentary style of Wedding Photography.

What is Documentary Wedding Photography?

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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