A documentary family photography session is not a typical session where your family dresses in matching outfits and you pose and smile at the camera. Those photos are important too, but documentary family photography is an unposed and unscripted session where ordinary life is captured as it unfolds.

For you this means setting aside a couple hours unplugged to spend quality time with the people you love. It also means low stress, comfortable clothes, no cheesing, and lots of laughs and snuggles. My goal is to capture all the details of your current season of life that you want to hold onto and remember.

These sessions are perfect if you’re anything like me and feel awkward in front of the camera. Most of my clients feel quickly at ease because they focus less on me and how they look in front of the lens, and more on enjoying time with their family.

Here is a quick view of what you can expect. I will send you a questionnaire before your session to learn more about your family and what things will change in the next year that you want to remember. Then we will schedule a time to meet or chat about your session. We’ll discuss what you love to do as a family and decide on the time of day for the session based on your answers.

On the day of the session, you can just go about your day the way you normally do, and I will tag along. You can also plan 3-4 of your favorite activities to do together. It can be anything from sharing a meal together or baking a family recipe to reading books and looking through old pictures. Some families go to the park or out for ice cream. Don’t worry too much about what you are doing. It’s ok to just slow down and be together.

Documentary family photography allows me to capture your life as it is right now, so that you can relive those precious, fleeting moments that you will miss.

A great part about the laid-back nature of documentary sessions is that it eliminates the stress of having to find matching outfits (or book hair/makeup appointments)! I typically advise clients to wear what they are comfortable in and to dress for whatever activities are planned during the session.

In general, it is a good idea to avoid clothes with big logos because they can be distracting. For film sessions, please don’t wear clothes with close stripes or patterns.

Cellphones are great tools for documenting your family, the only drawback is that you’re not in those photos. When I’m there, you can give your camera a rest and simply be in the moment with your child. I will take care of the photography.

These photos are just as important for your kids as they are for you. You have been there for every skinned knee, giggle, and triumphant first time. When your kids look back through the images of their childhoods, they shouldn't only see themselves. They should see YOU represented in that story, and that picture shouldn't be a selfie.

You kids aren’t waiting for you to lose 10 lbs., or get your hair highlighted. They love you the way you are and want to remember you that way.

I am coming to you with no judgment. I am a mom and I 100% understand how you feel. Kids are unpredictable and they have big feelings. My kids seem like they are in a constant competition with each other and most of the time that’s not something I want to document.

My goal is to capture the things you want to remember and the love you all share for each other. I am respectful. I have years of experience photographing families and I know when to photograph and when to take a break. If you are ever uncomfortable with me photographing something, tell me. I won’t be offended or upset.

Kids get dirty, wet, and undressed sometimes. They throw tantrums and get in fights with siblings. A normal day in my house is pure chaos. My kids aren’t perfect angels, they are just normal kids and I’m sure yours are too.

After the session, you also have the option of going through your gallery and marking photos private that you don’t want publicly shared.

I hear this a lot from people and trust me, it’s not! There is always magic to find in the everyday moments.

There are a million tiny details that make your lives and relationships extraordinary. The most ordinary of activities can have the most intimate of moments. Bath and bedtime, a family meal, a walk in the park. Your kids and your relationships with them are unique, quirky, funny, sweet and definitely not boring!

Childhood comes and goes so fast. The things that seem routine now will one day unexpectedly happen for the last time. Your ordinary is extraordinary.

I can also relate to this. I am guilty of putting off family portraits because I know how my partner feels about them! Luckily, he doesn’t mind when I photograph our everyday life and I’m sure your partner won’t mind either. There is no dressing up in clothes you don’t normally wear, no posing and smiling at the camera, and you all get to spend time together, being yourselves and doing your favorite things.

If your partner is still not thrilled about a documentary family session, I love capturing Mommy & Me and Daddy & Me sessions.

I 100% understand how you feel here. My house usually looks like a tornado went through it. I am a mom too and come with no judgment.

The reality is that a day will come when there will no longer be Batman figures and nerf bullets scattered around the living room, the laundry baskets will be empty, and the stack of kid books will be neatly packed away for the next garage sale.

The mess is just a season of life and the details of it are important to document. They tell an important story about who your family is. If the mess really bothers you, you can always tidy up a bit before the session.

Yep, I feel this. The older my kids get, the more involved they are in activities. This is a busy season of life, but it is also important to take a break from the busyness occasionally and just be together.

You get tired and stressed out when you run all the time. You are a better partner, parent, and person when you set aside time to slow down and connect with the people you love. Documentary family sessions give you the opportunity to schedule a break from the busyness of life.

The sessions are longer than a typical photography session because it takes time to authentically capture your family and all the details you want to remember. And the beauty of documentary sessions is that it can be planned around a specific activity, or it can slot right in with your daily life.

Documentary family sessions require more time in preparation, shooting and editing. A family film session takes on average 25 hours from first contact to final delivery of the film.

I do offer payment plans that can be arranged in the timeline that works best for you. You can pay a little every month or break the fee down into two or three payments.

Either way, one day these images will be priceless to you and your children.

Yes! I love to travel, meet new people and see new places. I only ask that my travel and lodging expenses are covered.