Documentary Family Photography is for Everyone
Bringing the same documentary style to capture those wonderful, everyday, fleeting family moments.
Think of this as the cure to “awkward family photos”. Family shoots should be about those fleeting moments in time that are so easy to forget, but that when captured, are cherished forever.
I approach family photography the same way I approach wedding photography - they are, after all, very much related. I’m far more interested in the genuine, often small moments that happen every day no matter if there is a grand occasion being celebrated or not. Documentary Family Photography means that I’m there with you, either just going about your day or celebrating a birthday or attending an outing of any kind, and documenting it as it happens. I particularly love photographing children as they go about the serious business of being kids, and all that entails. Whether it’s a newborn just being introduced to the world, or a toddler doing their best to explore every corner of it, I’m all in.
My advice for parents when I show up to photograph their family is to relax and let the kids be kids. Sometimes, even though they want documentary photos, parents feel that they need to make sure their kid is “behaving” or smiling at the camera or sitting still. But trust me, those photos won’t carry the look or the energy that make documentary family photography special. I love talking to kids, finding out what their favorite toys are, or what they like to do, and then just capturing the moments that flow out of our activity or conversation. Some kids are curious about my cameras, and so I’ll let them make a photo of their parents or sibling. Sometimes I bring bubble wands (only outdoors) and let them have at it. There’s no “right” way to go about it, and when the kids are enjoying themselves, it shows in each image.
Family documentary photography is the very definition of the “perfect imperfect”. The sticky hands, the face full of ice cream or cake, the shirt, shoes, pants that lost the battle with a mudpuddle; these are what the best photos are made of. The giggle when a parent or sibling tickles them, the earnest explanation of why this is their favorite toy, a serious story about something their younger brother or sister did, or a “gentle” hug for the family dog; these are moments that pass so quickly, but when they’re captured in an image can bring a smile to your face for decades to come.
