Last month, I photographed an intimate wedding celebration for 30 people in a small garden venue in Tokyo. The couple had one request: "We want to feel like you're not even there." This is my favorite kind of event to photograph, one where I can blend into the background and capture moments as they naturally unfold.

The Documentary Approach

When I photograph events, I think of myself as a quiet observer rather than a director. I don't ask people to pose or repeat moments. Instead, I watch for the genuine interactions, the way someone's face lights up during a toast, the quiet conversation between friends, the spontaneous laughter that happens when no one's watching.

This approach requires patience and awareness. I'm constantly scanning the room, anticipating moments before they happen. I position myself where I can capture the emotion without being intrusive. Sometimes that means standing back with a longer lens. Sometimes it means being close enough to feel the energy, but invisible enough to not affect it.

Reading the Room

Every event has its own rhythm. Some moments are quiet and contemplative. Others are energetic and fast-moving. Learning to read the room and match its energy is crucial. During the ceremony, I'm still and observant. During the reception, I'm more mobile, following the action as it moves.

I also pay attention to the light throughout the day. Natural light changes, and I need to adapt. I might use available window light during the ceremony, then move to capture golden hour portraits, then work with ambient reception lighting. The key is being flexible and working with what's there, not against it.

The Details That Tell the Story

While I focus on people and emotion, I also capture the details that tell the story, the handwritten place cards, the flowers arranged on tables, the way the light falls on the cake. These details add context and depth to the narrative. They're the supporting characters in the story.

But I'm selective. I don't photograph every detail. I look for the ones that feel meaningful, the ones that the couple will remember and that add to the story we're telling. A few well-chosen detail shots are more powerful than dozens of generic ones.

Creating Trust

The most important part of event photography is creating trust. When people trust that you're there to capture their genuine moments, not to create staged scenes, they relax. They forget about the camera. They become themselves. And that's when the best photographs happen.

I always meet with clients before the event to understand their vision and set expectations. I explain my approach and answer any questions. By the day of the event, we're comfortable with each other, and I can work naturally without constant direction.

The Result

When I deliver the images, I want clients to feel like they're reliving the day, not just looking at photographs of it. The goal is to capture not just what happened, but how it felt—the emotion, the energy, the quiet moments and the loud ones.

The couple from this event told me later that looking through their photos felt like being back in those moments. That's the highest compliment I can receive. It means I did my job, I was present enough to capture the truth, and invisible enough to not change it.