"Is This Something?" - A guide to documentary wedding photography and photographing the seemingly insignificiant
Is This Something? | A Documentary Photography Book by York Place Studios - Image 2
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Is This Something? | A Documentary Photography Book by York Place Studios

£50.00

The 308-page masterclass on the art of the unposed image by authors Liam Shaw & Dominique Shaw

  • The Art: 308 pages of unposed, documentary philosophy.

  • The Process: Raw contact sheets & full technical data.

  • The Manual: High-grade matte paper designed for study & notes.

Is This Something? is a visual textbook on the documentary mindset. Bridging the gap between Street Photography and Wedding Photojournalism, Liam and Dominique Shaw deconstruct the geometry, layering, and philosophy required to find extraordinary stories in seemingly insignificant, unposed moments.

A high-yield workshop in book form – designed to be studied, annotated, and kept as a permanent creative resource.

“The defining book on the documentary approach.” – This is Reportage

→ [See why the industry calls this the “New Bible”]

In stock

SKU: 9781739448103 Category:

A Guide to the Documentary Mindset – Created by the founders of York Place Studios

Most photography books tell you where to stand; this one explores why we stand there in the first place. Distilling two decades of experience since the founding of York Place Studios in 2006, Is This Something? is an invitation to see the world differently – to find the ‘something’ in the ‘nothing.

“A true magnum opus, the one and only available bible for docu-heads”

– Juliana Socher : Chrononauts Photography (German Wedding Photographer) → [View more industry reviews]

The Process Revealed While the backdrop of the book is the wedding day, the principles are rooted in the “Decisive Moment” of street photography. We move beyond the final result to explore the mechanics of the hunt:

  • The Honest Hunt: We reveal the raw sequences behind our most iconic shots through full contact sheet breakdowns.

  • Technical Data: Each image includes the exact technical data – focal lengths, apertures, and ISO – to show how the frame was built.

  • Composition & Geometry: A deep dive into layering and navigating complex environments to capture the unpredictable.

“So many photo books are essentially an ego stroke of unattainable imagery, masquerading as education, but yours is proving a perfect balance of mental concept, photographic approach and truly inspiring imagery” 

– Leon Neal : Getty Images, Press Photographer

The Physical Book This first edition is litho-printed on premium matte stock, chosen specifically because it invites you to pick up a pen and highlight the insights that resonate with your practice. Robustly PUR bound with a gloss-laminated cover, it is built to be a durable, working manual for your desk or camera bag.

The “York Place” Philosophy Documentary is about the “why,” not just the “how.” Whether you are a professional wedding photographer or a street-style artist, this book provides the tools to predict the unpredictable and master the art of the unposed image.

“My favorite part of the book was how Dom and Liam explained their thought process for layered photos. I always assumed they were just lucky to find these moments right in front of their eyes. It frustrated me because these wouldn’t happen to me. It turns out, they don’t just happen. And this just made me admire them even more. A lot of yeses and wows were yelled in the process of reading”

– Diva Lopez, Panama
Wedding Photographer

Inside the Masterclass

  • Two Decades of Insight: Distilled documentary philosophy from the founding of York Place Studios in 2006 Is This Something? is an invitation to see the world differently – to find the ‘something’ in the ‘nothing.’ Now studied by photographers and filmmakers in 34 countries, it is the foundational text of the York Place philosophy.“

  • The Contact Sheets: A raw look at the sequences and “failed” frames behind the icons.

  • The Geometry of a Moment: Visual breakdowns of layering, timing, and composition.

  • Street-to-Wedding Bridge: Techniques that apply to any candid environment.

  • The Psychological Hunt: How to predict human behavior and “see” the shot before it happens.

  • Technical Transparency: Every featured image includes full EXIF data (focal length, aperture, ISO) to demystify the “look.”

  • Candid Storytelling: Moving beyond the single image to create a cohesive, unposed narrative.

  • The Interactive Manual: Premium matte stock chosen specifically to be annotated, highlighted, and treated as a living creative resource.

“The only wedding photography book that sings with the way I see wedding photography. A great book to inspire you to open your eyes and mind as to what else happens and can appear at weddings. Easy to follow with great descriptive photos. Whether you’re new to wedding photography or a seasoned pro, Seemingly Insignificant is the perfect book for you.”

– Dan Morris, street photographer and co-founder of The Edge Street Photography awards.

Technical Specifications

  • Format: 234mm x 175mm (Portrait)

  • Extent: 308 Interior Pages

  • Print Process: High-Fidelity Litho Print (CMYK throughout)

  • Binding: Durable PUR Bound (Engineered for frequent study and longevity)

  • Cover: 4pp Softcover with protective Gloss Laminate finish

  • Origin: Proudly printed and bound in the United Kingdom

“I love this book because it SHOWS rather than TELLS”

– Adrienne Catanese, New York, America Wedding Photographer → [Read the full impact of the ‘New Bible’ on the photography community]

The essential foundation for our upcoming Documentary Masterclass series.

Weight 1.38 kg
Dimensions 234 × 175 × 35 mm
Country of Origin

UK