Micro weddings can take place anywhere—a living room, City Hall, Central Park, your favorite restaurant, or even a rooftop with a beautiful view. That’s part of what makes them so meaningful. If you’re planning an intimate celebration and like the idea of photographs that capture the authentic mood of your wedding, I’d love to connect.As a documentary photographer, I never stage or direct. Instead, I blend in and let the story unfold naturally. At a smaller wedding, the last thing you want is a photographer taking over the room. My approach keeps the focus where it belongs—on you, your ceremony, and the people closest to you.
My Approach
to Documentary-Style
Wedding Photography
Documentary wedding photography tells the story of your day exactly as it happens, which is why it feels so natural for micro weddings. With fewer people and a more intimate setting, those spontaneous moments become even more vivid—the quiet tears, bursts of laughter, and sweet gestures that define your celebration.
I step into these days with a very calm, unobtrusive presence, allowing events to unfold without interruption. Your photos will feel like your wedding itself: real, unposed, and deeply personal. Couples often tell me that my approach helps them relax, stay grounded, and fully enjoy their wedding without feeling directed or staged.
Because micro weddings are so deeply personal, I move in rhythm with your special day—whether it’s lively and playful or tender and reflective—documenting it as it unfolds. By taking on only a limited number of weddings each year, I’m able to give your celebration the focus and care it deserves.
Honest Photos That Tell Your Unique Wedding Story
Aside from micro weddings, I photograph weddings in all types of settings. The galleries below share a small glimpse of the celebrations I’ve documented.
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
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who values real over posed, and presence over production, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s talk about your vision and how I can help you preserve it through honest, beautiful images.
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 documentary wedding photographer focuses on what’s happening in the moment, without staging or interfering or imposing ideas. Your photos should feel like your day as it truly unfolded—joyful, unscripted, and full of connection. Whether it’s an intimate wedding in a city loft, a beach wedding location, or a big wedding in the mountains, my approach stays the exact same: capturing what happens as it happens.
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No, I photograph celebrations of every size. While I always love the intimacy of smaller gatherings, I also enjoy photographing big weddings and everything in between. What matters most is documenting your story in an honest, natural way. If you’d like to share more about your plans, you can reach out through my contact page anytime.
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The images that couples treasure most are often not the posed ones, but the candid shots that capture how it truly felt to be there. With documentary photography, I preserve the natural rhythm of your day—whether that’s the emotion of a sand ceremony, the glow of golden hour, or the way natural elements frame your celebration. Every wedding is unique, and this approach ensures your photos highlight your individuality and those intimate moments you’ll want to relive for years.
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Yes. Although documentary photography is my specialty, I’ll set aside a short time, usually about 15–20 minutes, for family and couples portraits.
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I believe your wedding should feel natural, not like a performance. This means I don’t orchestrate scenes or impose any ideas. I simply observe and photograph the moments as they happen. This allows you to focus on enjoying your wedding while I capture the story. My goal is that you think less about photos and more about being fully present together in an authentic way.
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Yes. From the first look to the vows and speeches (when applicable), I cover every part of your wedding day. I move quietly so I don’t interrupt the flow, but I always capture the significant events along with the fleeting details.
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Yes! Even though I’m based in New York as a wedding and elopement photographer, I happily travel anywhere in the U.S. and beyond. Whether your celebration is local to New York or further away, I’d love to document it.
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The first step is to contact me with your wedding date, location, and how many guests you expect. I’ll check my availability, and we can connect over phone, video, or in person to go over details. To secure your date, I ask for a $200 non-refundable deposit, with the balance due one month before the wedding. For shorter timelines, full payment is required upon booking.
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The turnaround time usually ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. This gives me time to carefully edit and create a gallery that reflects the real emotion and beauty of your day. Once ready, you’ll receive a link to your online gallery to share and download.
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Yes. Engagement sessions are a lovely way to capture this chapter before your wedding. I keep them relaxed and comfortable, focusing on your connection and avoiding any stiff poses, so the images reflect your true, unique relationship.
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Couples often say it’s the calm energy I bring to their wedding day. I also create images that are both authentic and timeless. The result is a gallery of images that feel completely real to you and your celebration.
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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.