Beach weddings are a beautiful setting for celebrating your partnership, surrounded by friends and family. You deserve to have each moment captured as naturally as the day unfolds. The sound of the waves, the feel of sand beneath your feet, the laughter shared, and the golden light dancing on the water all become part of your story. I focus on photographing the real moments as they happen with documentary-style photography.
These are the kinds of memories you can’t stage on your big day, and they’re what make beach weddings so unforgettable. When I photograph a wedding by the ocean, I look for those unscripted details that will take you right back to how the day felt. If this sounds like the experience you want for your wedding, I’d love to connect.
My Approach
to Documentary-Style
Wedding Photography
Documentary-style wedding photography tells your story exactly as it unfolds. After decades behind the camera, I’ve learned how to notice those precious in-between moments—the spontaneous laughter, the tears that come without warning, and the subtle exchanges that make your day unforgettable. My role is to blend into the background with a calm presence, letting your celebration flow naturally while I capture it.
Your photos should feel like your wedding day itself: authentic, unposed, and deeply personal. Many couples share that having me there feels grounding, giving them space to relax and stay in the moment. I move with the pace of the day, whether it’s buzzing with energy or quiet and reflective, so you can focus on one another while I preserve the story. By photographing only a select number of weddings each year, I give every couple the attention their day deserves.
Honest Photos That Tell Your Unique Wedding Story
I photograph weddings in all settings, and each one has a unique rhythm and story to tell. The galleries below share just a glimpse of the celebrations I’ve documented—filled with candid moments, genuine emotion, and the natural flow of the day exactly as it unfolded.
What My Couples Say
Kym & Sydney
“Magical and Timeless”
Amy was an absolute dream to work with! When it came to our wedding, we knew we wanted a Documentary/ Candid forward style but we did still need a few of the more posed photos for family and friends. Amy did not hesitate to provide, even going so far as to include film photography in her services…
Andre & Haley
”Capturing Magical Moments”
My wife and I were looking into more documentary style photography for our wedding. In our search we came across Amy Milstein, and we absolutely loved her work. Amy photographs depict the organic and process of life, especially weddings. There is something different when you pose…
Jordan Taylor
“We love it”
So lucky to have found Amy for our wedding day photos! My husband and I wanted an intimate civil ceremony and dinner with family, but didn’t want to miss out on having amazing photos to remember the day by. Personally, I wanted photos that weren’t the “status quo” pose and…
Recognition & Community
I photograph weddings in all settings, and each one has a unique rhythm and story to tell. The galleries below share just a glimpse of the celebrations I’ve documented—filled with candid moments, genuine emotion, and the natural flow of the day exactly as it unfolded.
Contact Info
142 W End Ave, New York, NY 10023
Mon - Sun: 9am - 6pm
Contact Form
Documentary Wedding Photography
Frequently Asked Questions
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A true documentary wedding photographer stays present in the moment, never staging or directing to “create” something that isn’t there. Your wedding photographs should reflect your day exactly as it was lived—unscripted, joyful, and full of real connection. Whether you’re celebrating in a beach wedding location, a city loft, or a mountain venue, the story is always told through real moments. From the quiet anticipation of your wedding ceremony to the energy of the reception, I bring a steady, supportive presence, observing and capturing the genuine emotions as they unfold.
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No. I love photographing all weddings using documentary-style photography. I'd love to speak with you about your upcoming wedding. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
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Every couple has their own story, and the images that often hold the most meaning aren’t the posed portraits but the candid shots captured in between. Documentary wedding photography focuses on preserving the genuine flow of your day. This can be the emotion of your sand ceremony, the glow of golden hour, or the natural elements that surround your celebration. Because your wedding is unlike anyone else’s, your photos should reflect that individuality with complete authenticity and depth, giving you images you’ll return to for a lifetime.
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Yes. While documentary wedding photography is my specialty, I will of course take some group shots (including of the wedding party), typically spending no more than 15-20 minutes on them.
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Your wedding day doesn’t need direction; it only needs someone who sees it. My role is to capture the unscripted moments as they are happening rather than imposing any ideas. As a result, I don’t give any direction. I document your wedding as it truly happens. You shouldn’t feel that your wedding is a performance. My wish is that you spend as little time thinking about photos as possible, and all of your time simply enjoying the day together.
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Yes. As a documentary-style wedding photographer, I capture all the candid, fleeting moments of your day from start to finish.
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Absolutely. Even though I'm based in New York as a New York wedding photographer, I’ll travel anywhere in the United States. I can shoot destination weddings outside the country as well.
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The best way is to contact me with your wedding date and location so that I can check my availability. After that, we can meet either via phone, video chat, or in person to discuss details and get to know one another. I require a $200 non-refundable deposit in order to hold the date. The remainder of the balance is due no later than 1 month prior to the wedding. If you are working with a shortened time frame (less than one month before the wedding), full payment is due upon booking.
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This can vary, but typically it takes 4 to 6 weeks for me to edit your images and provide you with them. This timeframe allows me to dedicate the time your photos deserve to create a gallery of truly lasting memories. Once complete, you'll be sent a link to your online gallery.
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Yes, I am fully insured with both professional indemnity and public liability insurance. I can provide a certificate of insurance to the venue owners/managers if required. I’d also encourage you to confirm that every vendor you hire is fully insured.
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Yes, I do. Engagement sessions are a wonderful way to celebrate this chapter of your story. I keep the atmosphere easygoing so the focus stays on your connection, capturing authentic moments instead of posed portraits.
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Many couples share that they value the sense of calm I bring to the day. As a New York wedding photographer, I combine an eye for storytelling with an editorial touch, creating images that are genuine, natural, and uniquely yours.
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Absolutely. I include the bridal party seamlessly as the day unfolds, documenting spontaneous interactions and real expressions rather than orchestrating stiff, predetermined shots.