My view of documentary family photography is that it is unscripted, unposed, and records what happens naturally. I’ll come to your home, or meet you at the park or at brunch, wherever you choose, and just take photos as you and your family or friends interact just as you would on a day when a photographer was not present. I will not ask you to pose, sit still, “say cheese”, or pretend anything. There is no pretending, this is your life, documented. Let the kids be kids, Dad do his thing, and Mum just enjoy the experience.
I want these photos to capture the true essence of your family, your relationships, the stage of your life you are currently experiencing. I want it to be real, in all its tamtrum-ing, messy, teary, silly, beautiful glory. I want to capture this chapter in your story, so that you can look and remember exactly how it looked and felt at this very moment.
When you get your gallery of photographs, what you will see are real emotions. Real laughs. Real smiles. Real Love. Maybe some real grump-faces and few real tears, too. But all that expression will be real and authentically you and your family. You can me reassured that the smiles on faces are a reflection of true happiness.
So often the other important character in your life is missing from a family photography session: your home. The heart of your family is in your home. It is the utlimate expression of who you are, the life you live. Don’t you wish you had detailed photographs of your bedroom growing up? The growth chart penciled in on the door? Some images of your favourite toys? The cookies you used to bake with grandma? In an in-home session, all those unique aspects of your life, your environment, will be captured. And if there is a equally meaninful place to you – a local playground, a park, your favourite restaurant – let’s go there, too!
What is the story of your family? Are you welcoming a new baby? Are you moving houses? Are the grandparents visiting? Are you moving to a new country? Are your kids starting school and you want to document the last days of Summer? Has your child reached a milestone? Is nothing extra special going on, but you want your ordinary routine of the moment recorded, because it will change before you know it?
Your family has a story, many stories actually to tell, and I believe they should be preserved.
If you want to give a family documentary session a try, or if you have any questions about these types of sessions, please drop me a note – I’d love to continue the conversation.