Preparing for Your Documentary-Style Photoshoot

Faith Te Poel
Dec 9
3 min read

(How to choose outfits, pick the right location, and actually enjoy the moment)

If you want photos that breath, photos that aren't stiff and truly feel like you, documentary-style photography is it. The connection, the movement, the laughs, the quiet in-betweens you don’t even notice happening. It’s not just standing still and smiling at the camera every five seconds. It’s honest moments captured.

If you’re getting ready for your session, or thinking about booking a documentary forward shoot, here’s everything you need to know so you feel prepared, relaxed, and fully yourself.

1. Outfits: Wear What Feels Like You

Documentary photos aren’t meant to look stiff, overly posed or “perfect.”

They’re meant to look like how the moment felt.

When you’re picking outfits, think: comfortable, movement-friendly, and true to your style.

A few helpful tips:

Avoid anything that needs constant adjusting. If you’re pulling or fixing something every two minutes, it takes you out of the moment.
Choose neutrals or soft tones If you want an earthy, timeless vibe.
Layers and textures photograph beautifully. think sweaters, denim jackets, linen, flowy dresses, oversized tees.
Skip big brand logos or really bold patterns. They can distract from the emotions.

Bring options! If you aren't sure, we can always swap if something doesn’t feel right when we start moving.

Let it feel like you. That band tee you wear all the time, your favorite outfit, that dress you love. Let your personal style show

If you feel good in what you're wearing, the photos will show it every time.

2. Location Matters (More Than People Think)

If we haven’t picked a location yet, this is one of my favorite parts of the planning process.

Different locations have different emotional tones, and that energy naturally shows up in your photos.

Here’s what I mean:

Open fields: peaceful, nostalgic, soft
Your home: intimate, cozy, emotional
Downtown streets: bold, playful, energetic
Creeks or lakesides: grounding, calm, romantic
Parking garages or rooftops: modern, minimal, creative
Forests or wooded areas: moody, earthy, whimsical

When choosing what type of spot you like, think about what kind of feeling you want your photos to carry. Do you want them to feel like a slow Sunday morning? An ethereal romance? A fun little adventure? Something more emotional and quiet?

If nothing jumps at you right away, that's okay. Take your time to think about it, we'll talk through it and find a place that matches who you are.

3. Let Go a Little (JK, Let Go a Lot)

This is the biggest key to documentary sessions: don’t worry about looking perfect.

You don’t need to know how to pose. You don’t need to overthink where your hands are or whether your smile is “right.” My job is to guide you just enough so you feel comfortable, but not so much that it feels staged.

Here’s your only job: show up as yourself.

Laugh. Talk. Move. Hold your partner’s hand. Play with your kids. Run around. Sit still. Breathe. Be present.

Some of the best photos happen when you think nothing is “happening” at all.

4. Trust the Process - Documentary Style Photoshoot

Documentary photography works best when you trust the flow. There might be wind. Or your hair might fall a little messy. You might feel a little awkward.

These little “imperfect” things?They’re the most beautiful parts.

Remember: I’m not here to capture a perfectly curated version of you, I’m here to capture the real one. The one your people love. The one you’ll want to remember.

5.Let Yourself Live Fully in the Moment

One of the biggest things that makes documentary-style photos feel so real is simple: you let yourself live in the moment. I’ll give prompts here and there, not stiff poses, but little actions that help you fall into your own world.

Things like:

“Run through this field together.”
“Fall into each other’s arms and kiss.”
“Play together”
“Roll down this hill”
“Watch your kids just be themselves and join in.”
"Walk through the living room then cuddle up in your favorite spot together"

Connection, play, quiet, chaos, whatever feels natural for you.

This is where the magic happens.

When you allow yourself to truly feel whatever moment you’re in, the joy, the softness, the silliness, the nostalgia, the camera doesn’t just capture a photo. It captures an emotion. The “this feels like us” kind of photo.

6. Final Thoughts

Preparing for a documentary-style photoshoot is really just preparing to be present. Pick clothes you love, choose a location that feels right, and then let everything else fall into place.

Your story already exists, my job is to show it the way it feels, not the way it’s “supposed” to look. If you ever have questions before your session, outfits you want to send me, or location ideas you’re torn between, I’m ALWAYS here to help. We’ll make something real, honest, and beautiful together.