The Margareta Method: Capturing Your Wedding in a Cinematic, Documentary Style

When you think about wedding photography, what comes to mind? Is it a series of perfectly posed portraits, or is it something more dynamic, more real? For me, wedding photography is about storytelling—capturing the true essence of the day as it unfolds naturally, with all its emotion, energy, and beauty. This approach, which I call the Margareta Method, is rooted in the documentary style of photography. It’s about immersing myself in the flow of the day, shooting it as if I’m creating a movie, where each image is a frame in your wedding’s cinematic story.

 What is the Documentary Style in Wedding Photography?

Documentary-style wedding photography is all about authenticity. It’s a departure from traditional posed shots and instead focuses on capturing real moments as they happen. Think of it as a photojournalistic approach—candid, unfiltered, and deeply personal. The goal is to tell your love story through genuine interactions and emotions, preserving the true atmosphere of the day without intrusion.

With the Margareta Method, I take this one step further by envisioning each wedding as a movie. I’m not just a photographer; I’m a director capturing the unscripted beauty of your wedding day, one scene at a time. Every smile, every tear, every glance is part of the narrative, and my job is to document it all in a way that feels as cinematic as it is real.

Posing Like You’re Shooting a Movie

While the Margareta Method is grounded in a documentary approach, there are moments when a little direction can elevate the story. Imagine we’re on the set of a movie—there’s a script, but the best moments happen when the actors bring their own emotions and spontaneity into the scene. That’s exactly how I approach wedding photography.

Instead of rigidly posing couples, I guide them into scenarios where natural interactions can unfold. I might suggest that you walk hand-in-hand through a sunlit field, whisper sweet nothings to each other, or simply share a quiet moment together. These are “scenes” that allow your true emotions to shine through, creating images that are both authentic and cinematic.

Here’s how I make it happen:

Creating a Scene:

   I choose locations and lighting that evoke the right mood, just like a movie set. Whether it’s a romantic garden, a bustling reception hall, or a quiet corner during golden hour, the setting plays a crucial role in the story. I look for spaces where the light enhances the emotion, where the background tells part of your story without overshadowing it.

Directing the Action:

   I give you minimal direction to encourage natural movement and interaction. Instead of “pose like this,” I might say, “take a moment to just enjoy being here together,” or “think about what you’re feeling right now.” This allows you to be yourselves, with your genuine expressions and gestures driving the scene.

Capturing the Candid Moments:

   While you’re lost in the moment, I’m there, camera in hand, ready to capture those fleeting, in-between moments that often hold the most magic. The way you look at each other when you think no one’s watching, the laughter that bursts out when something unexpected happens—these are the moments that make your wedding photos truly special.

The Big Picture:

   Just as a movie tells a complete story, so too does the Margareta Method. I’m not just focused on the main events; I’m capturing the entire atmosphere of your wedding day. From the pre-ceremony jitters to the late-night celebrations, every part of your day is part of the narrative, and I’m there to document it all.

The Editing Process: Bringing the Story to Life

Once your wedding day is over, the story continues in the editing room. Just as a filmmaker edits raw footage to create a cohesive and compelling movie, I carefully curate and edit your photos to enhance the documentary style. This involves maintaining the natural light and colour, preserving the authenticity of each moment while ensuring the images have a cinematic quality.

I pay close attention to the sequence of images, creating a visual flow that mirrors the emotional journey of your day. Each photograph is edited to bring out the richness of the colours, the depth of the shadows, and the warmth of the light, ensuring that your wedding story is told in a way that is as beautiful as it is real.

Your Wedding as a Cinematic Story

The Margareta Method is all about capturing the raw, unfiltered beauty of your wedding day in a documentary style that feels cinematic and timeless. It’s about turning your special day into a visual narrative that you can relive over and over, each image a frame in the movie of your love story. 

If you’re looking for wedding photography that goes beyond the ordinary—photography that captures the real emotions, the unscripted moments, and the beauty of your day as it truly unfolds—the Margareta Method might be exactly what you need. Let’s create something unforgettable together, a cinematic story of your wedding day that you’ll treasure forever.