I’ve been fortunate to photograph Kirsten and Tom from their wedding day, through maternity photos, and now into family photo sessions. Kirsten and Tom have become friends over the years, and I’ve been so grateful to be there to photograph their growing family! I take a documentary approach to family sessions so we can really capture what this time in your lives feels like. With little ones, each phase goes by so quickly, so as a Boston documentary family photographer, I love being able to help families hold onto these fleeting moments forever.
In today’s post, I’m sharing all about my approach to family photos and what you can expect.
What Is Documentary Family Photography?
Similar to my approach to wedding photography, documentary family photography allows the connection to really shine through. On a wedding day, I’m capturing the day as it naturally unfolds and catching all of the candid moments, and I apply this same philosophy to family sessions.
The connections between you, your spouse, and your kids become the focal point of the images. I’ll encourage and support you while you’re interacting with each other, and I know how to turn these genuine moments into artful images that are full of emotion.
Rather than a posed portrait session, you’ll come away with a gallery that captures exactly who your family is right now.
Why a Documentary Approach Is Less Stressful for Families
A documentary-style family session is much more relaxed and less stressful than other, more rigid forms of portrait photography. You’ll simply focus on interacting with each other and having fun, while I’m there to capture it all on camera. I’ll give you some light guidance as needed, but the focus is on the activities you would naturally be doing as a family.
This approach allows you to live and breathe without fear of “doing it wrong.” Life happens, and with a documentary approach, we embrace it! Kids can be silly, there can be a little chaos or some unexpected moments, and that’s what makes for the best, most genuine photographs.
How I Capture Connection as a Boston Documentary Family Photographer
I’m there to offer some light guidance when needed, but I always encourage my families to focus on just being themselves.
Here are some tips to do this:
Incorporate an activity you love.
Because documentary photography isn’t just a series of portraits but rather tells a story, choosing an activity to do together helps set the scene! If we’re doing a session at home, you could choose some favorite books to read together, have mealtime or bake something together, play games, or have bath time. Whatever your family loves to do right now makes for great photos!
Choose a location that means something to you.
I love family sessions at home because they really capture exactly what this moment in time is like for your family. But we can also go to another location that has special meaning for your family, like the beach, your favorite park (playgrounds give the kids lots to do!), or walk around your neighborhood. I’m always happy to brainstorm locations to help you find something that truly tells your family’s story.
For this session, Kirsten and Tom opted to do a shoot in their home to celebrate their kiddos’ birthdays. We had so much fun! If this is something you’re thinking about, I shared my favorite tips for family photos at home in this recent post.
Embrace the kids and let them lead.
This is the best way to capture these moments authentically. Letting the kids have fun and enjoy themselves often leads to the most unique and memorable images. Sometimes they wind up taking the session in a different direction, which is totally okay and absolutely encouraged!
Boston Documentary Family Photographer
If this approach to family photos resonates with you, and you’ve been thinking about having pictures taken, I’d love to meet you! I’m based just outside Boston, but work with families all around New England.
To get started, just reach out to me through my contact page on my website, and I’ll be in touch to hear all about your vision for your session! Hopefully this post has given you some ideas, but I’m always happy to brainstorm something fun and unique with you as well.
