Documentary Family Photography

I am beyond lucky that I get to photograph documentary family sessions. These shoots make my heart full, and are the most rewarding work I’ve done. I feel honored that people welcome me into their homes, share their lives with me, and entrust me with the important job of recording their stories.

I started thinking about documentary family photography after becoming a mother. I wanted to figure out a way to visually preserve the average day in the life of a family for my clients. It’s something I want every family to have – photos that capture childhood, relationships, and the loving, frantic, and silly in between moments that families share.

With life being so fast-paced these days, it's important to revel in and savor the little moments in our lives, and documentary family photography allows me to capture that feeling for my clients.

I love to think about kids, all grown up, looking back on the documentary images I take. And I love that they'll be able to not only see what they looked like, but also what they WERE like. Documentary photos, without the pressure of posing and pretense, will bring back special childhood memories of their everyday lives with their families.

During documentary sessions, I meet with families at their homes and take photos of whatever they'd normally be doing during the time I'm there. I photograph families playing, reading, snuggling, eating, dancing, cooking, and everything in between. I focus on families enjoying each other's company, and capture each family member's unique personality. I take my time to wait for perfect moments, capture the relationships I observe, and tell a story with every frame. I look for emotion, humor, love, and smiles. I am a fly on the wall, and don't direct or interfere with the action.

I love documentary family photography because I really get to know and connect with families, and can therefore take meaningful and intimate photos for them. It’s amazing to be welcomed so openly, and to build lasting relationships with my clients. And it's so rewarding to gift my clients a set of images that will transport them back to special times in their lives.

Family Portrait Sessions

My approach to family portraiture is similar in approach to my documentary family photography, as I focus on relationships and capture each participant's unique personality.

I keep things casual and fun, and take time to connect with each family member to build trust. I look for big smiles, sweet and silly moments, and capture each child as they truly are. I don't pressure kids to pose or smile a certain way, and let kids be kids. I want them to feel comfortable, safe, and enjoy their time being photographed. I am sensitive to their feelings, patient, pleasant, and flexible. I sometimes even let kids direct the shoot! I listen to their ideas, go along with them, and we have fun “working” together.

My portraits are posed but not formal, and I emphasize connection when creating images. I take photos of different groups during each portrait session – the entire family, the kids together, the parents together, and each kid on their own. Each of these portraits may feel a bit different, since each relationship is unique, and each personality is special.

I want the experience to be as painless as possible for your family (let's face it – family portrait sessions can be stressful). I'm friendly, easygoing, and always have a smile on my face. I enjoy getting to know families, and seeing them year after year.

And I love taking photos that show the love that families share, and that honor how families truly are.