A documentary photographer develops a strong relationship with their subjects with honesty, empathy, and humility. This requires you to balance your socialization with your photography and know when it’s appropriate to talk and when to shoot. The most important thing is that your desire to connect with your families is genuine. A documentary photographer develops a strong relationship with their subjects with honesty, empathy, and humility. This requires you to balance your socialization with your photography and know when it’s appropriate to talk and when to shoot. The most important thing is that your desire to connect with your families is genuine.