Documentary Wedding Photography in Sarasota

Bride and groom share their first dance in a courtyard at twilight with string lights overhead and guests watching from the colonnade.
Bride and groom sitting together on a bench admiring a Renaissance painting at The Ringling Museum in Sarasota.
Bride and groom kiss on the dance floor at The Ringling Museum wedding in Sarasota surrounded by guests with arched colonnade and grand staircase in background

A Bit About Mark 

I've been photographing weddings for almost 20 years. I studied commercial photography at the Brooks Institute (BFA), I'm a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and my work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and recognized by WPJA and PDN.

Mark Davidson crouching with camera during a wedding ceremony capturing candid moments

Kind words from Friends

Featured in

Title image of the movie "Wedding" starring Martha Stewart with bold black text on a white background.
The word 'BRIDES' in large black serif font on a white background.
Stylish logo reading 'STYLE ME Pretty' with elegant script and decorative flourishes.
Logo with two interlocking black circles and the text 'Grace Ormonde Wedding Style' beside it.

Coverage Options

A black and white still image of a bride from a cinematic highlight video taken by wedding photographer and videographer, Mark Davidson.

Cinematic Highlight Films

A 3–5 minute film of your day — set to the natural audio of your vows, toasts, and the moments in between.

A candid black and white wedding photo of a bride and groom embracing each other taken by Mark Davidson.

Documentary-Style Wedding Photography

Your full wedding day photographed as it unfolds. Getting ready, the ceremony, the dance floor — everything between the first look and the last song.

A candid black and white photo of a bride and groom having fun and celebrating their marriage during their wedding reception taken by wedding photographer and videographer, Mark Davidson.

Hybrid Photo + Video Coverage

One person handling both photo and video. Same eye, same style, no second crew following you around. It's simpler and the results feel more cohesive.

You’re Not Here for the Posed Stuff…

A black and white photo taken by Mark Davidson of a bride taking a drink of wine from the bottle while a bridesmaid smiles and laughs.

You’re planning a day that’s more champagne spray than stiff formality. You care more about how it felt than how perfect it looked. You’d rather see your friends tearing up the dance floor than line them up in stiff rows.

  • - You'd rather be present than posing.

    - You want photos that feel like your memories, not a magazine.

    - You'd rather your photographer disappear into the crowd than run the show.

That's what I do. I stay out of the way, I pay attention, and I give you back a collection of images of how the day felt.

Real Weddings | Documentary Wedding Photography

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you based and do you travel for weddings?

I'm based in Sarasota, Florida and photograph weddings throughout the Gulf Coast — including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key, and Longboat Key. Travel within the greater Tampa Bay area is included in all packages. Destination weddings are always welcome.

How would you describe your photography style?

Documentary, editorial-inspired, and modern. I focus on unscripted, honest moments with minimal direction — photos that feel like you and reflect the real energy of your day.

Do you offer video coverage as well?

Yes — every collection includes both photography and a ceremony video with professional audio. I also offer highlight films, candid 4K clips, full-length films, and complete multi-camera video packages as add-ons.

When will we receive our photos?

Your complete edited gallery is delivered to a private online gallery within two weeks of your wedding day. Full personal print rights are always included.

How many images will we receive?

Collection One (4 hours) delivers approximately 400 or more images. Collection Two (8 hours) delivers approximately 600 or more images. Every image is individually tone-adjusted and color-corrected.

How far in advance should we book?

Most couples book 8 to 12 months in advance, especially during peak season (October through May in Florida). If your date is coming up sooner, reach out anyway — availability may still be open.

Do you photograph smaller weddings or elopements?

Absolutely. I love intimate weddings and elopements. Coverage is fully customizable to match the scale and flow of your day. Sarasota and the Gulf Coast offer incredible elopement locations — from Siesta Key beaches to downtown Sarasota rooftops.

How much does a Sarasota wedding photographer cost?

Wedding photography and videography coverage starts at $2,000 for 4 hours and $3,000 for 8 hours. Every collection includes documentary photography, ceremony video with professional audio, a private online gallery, and two-week delivery. Add-ons like highlight films, second photographers, and full-length videos are available.

Let's Talk

If you like what you see here, reach out. Tell me your date, your venue, and what kind of day you're planning. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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