What is a Documentary Family Photography Session?

So much of family life goes unseen and undocumented. These small moments of everyday life deserve to be photographed, just as much as the big ones. What photographs do you have to show for this one, beautiful, messy life you are living? These everyday, in-between moments are what makes up a documentary family session.

Playing music, making dinner together, doing chores outside. Your family story happens in these seemingly mundane tasks. I want to make family photographs that tell this honest story, that can be passed down as proof of a life well lived.

What does documentary family photography really mean?

A documentary family session is all about letting go, of embracing your unique family life. A true documentary session doesn’t have any posing. It’s a photographer observing how you interact together and not interfering. In reality, there is a spectrum of family photography approaches. With a lot of documentary family photographers often providing at least a little intervention. I tend to focus on finding the good light and placing the family members there and providing a few prompts as needed (e.g., playing a game, running, going in for a cuddle). Mostly though, I’m just allowing real life to take over and observing what ensues. After the game, at the end of running, or in the breakdown of a hug - these small moments of truth and authenticity for your everyday.

Documentary family sessions are also really effective when you plan it around an activity you like to do together. It gives you something to focus on, something that you tend to do often as a family. That way, those natural, candid interactions can come through. This may mean going out for ice cream, playing a board game, fishing, going for a walk or riding bicycles, playing in the garden, etc. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated or super planned out. Just something to ground your family session to make everyone feel a bit more at ease.

Is a documentary family photography session for me?

The beauty of family photography is that there are photographers for every unique family and their vision and needs. Photographers who just focus on creating backyard formal family portraits, photographers who specialize in experimental techniques, and those that create highly posed studio portraits. Specifically, documentary sessions are ideal for families who want something slower-paced, imperfect, and maybe a little messy. For families who are not focused on getting ‘everyone smile at the camera’ photographs for the holiday card. Families comfortable with fewer directions and posing; comfortable with embracing the chaos of daily life and inviting a photographer in to experience their everyday. Often, families who are creative and artistic in their own ways - who want their family photographers to reflect the beuaty they’ve created in their life.

I offer both shorter ‘signature sessions’ as well as longer half-day sessions. This later “day in the life” package is slower paced, centered around your favorite places and everyday magic. I want to create art from your backyard hangouts. We’ll chat and I’ll take pictures in your kitchen while you make pizza. Then maybe we’ll watch the sunset from your favorite park. Finish the night with a cup of tea, cuddles, and a book in bed. No rushing around, just an ease in your natural family dynamic.

If this approach resonates with you, I’d love to hear more about your family and vision for family photographs.