Let’s de-mystify documentary family photography and answer some of your questions:

Why do you use the documentary approach?

Because I want to remember what life felt like - and I want you to be able to do the same. (Yep, I want you to get a bit teary when you pull out those photographs!)

Because documentary photographs answer the question “what was life like when I was little?”

Because these photographs show you as you truly are. They show how you lived, how you loved, how you laughed, how you cried together and cared for each other.

Because those photographs are like a mirror showing you that your life is just right, that you are enough.

Because your kids will see, that they’re awesome just the way they are, and that they’re loved, so loved.

Because you’ll get photographs that include all of you and authentically you, photographs that are timeless, that are works of art

Because you’ll get photographs that are priceless and become even more invaluable as time goes by.

What is documentary family photography?

Documentary family photography is when a photographer uses a photojournalistic or ‘documentary’ approach in photographing a family. That means that the photographer does not intervene with the scenes in front of her camera at all: there is no posing, no directing, no moving items around, no telling you how to dress or where to stand, and no telling you to “say cheese”. The photographer just comes and “documents” your family as you go about your life.

Because documentary family photography is an “approach” and not an “aesthetic”, you may find vast differences in style from one documentary photographer to another. A photographer’s style is greatly influenced by who they are as a person and what they are drawn to. I personally am a wallflower with a deep love of the stories and the history of a family - this shows in my photography. I love photographing the quieter, more subtler moments and I adore documenting multiple generations of family. I’m also drawn to the little quirks and comedic episodes of life. Other documentary photographers might have different interests. As a mother, I am also acutely aware of the ‘mother’s guilt’ and I want to show you through my photographs that you are beautiful and special and most importantly, that you are enough, just the way you are. Because of these differences in styles, it’s important to check out a photographer’s portfolio before you hire them, and speak to them on the phone to make sure you “click”.

You might have also heard the terms “lifestyle photography” and “portraiture”. These are different genres of photography. Lifestyle photography can often look like documentary family photography, in that the moments captured look candid and casual. But lifestyle sessions are directed by the photographer, usually through prompts and loose posing. Lifestyle photographers also generally advise their clients on wardrobe and shoot location. Portraiture often takes place in a studio where the photographer poses the subject and often uses artificial lighting to create a beautiful, crafted image.

Who is best suited for a documentary family photography session?

Someone who wants to remember how life felt like, what people where like, how they lived and how they loved. Someone who wants to remember all the little details, not just the highlights of milestone events. Someone who wants to remember the mess and the chaos of life with little kids, because they grow up too damn fast. Someone who wants to remember all the special people in their life and who they were, not just how they looked like.

If you want to bottle up every second of your life, if you want to remember the everyday moments, if you have kids who cannot sit still, a documentary session is a great choice. No sitting still basically mandatory - all photos are made in the moment.

The thought of this makes me nervous. What if the photos are embarrassing or vulnerable? What if my kid throws a tantrum?

Ok, let’s be honest, some of the photos may be embarrassing or vulnerable - because life sometimes is embarrassing and vulnerable. I’ve embarrassed myself countless times, I’m vulnerable - everybody is, right? Here’s the thing, though. This is a ZERO JUDGEMENT zone. I won’t judge you. Seriously. Look at me. I’m the one who wears the same jeans everyday, probably has some food stuck on her t-shirt somewhere, needs copious amounts coffee to get anything done and my kids are driving me bananas at the best of times - I get what life is like, I’m in the thick of it myself.

Also, my goal is not to produce images that embarrass you. My goal is to hold up a mirror for you and show you the smorgasbord of little moments that as a whole make your life so freaking wonderful. I’ll show you details that you might miss when you’re in the middle of living that life. There’s a tantrum or tears? Yes, I will probably photograph those. Not for the shock factor, but because it’s part of life and those moments also deserve to be told. Also, the best part of a tantrum is afterward when when kids get all cuddly and everyone just needs a hug.

I promise that these photographs will reaffirm just how special your family is and how loved you all are. You just have to let go and trust me - and in the end, they’re your photographs and it’s entirely up to you, what you do with them.

Our house is a mess and also quite dark. Is it even possible to make decent photographs in there?

There’s always light, always… and I’m the expert in finding it, that’s my job. There’ll always be some window light, even in dark houses, and I’m happy to rock the artificial light as well. Technology and digital cameras are so great these days, their low-light capability is bloody awesome.

As for the mess, I don’t care - again, this is a zero judgment zone. If it bothers you, tidy up a little bit before our session, but please don’t turn it into a display home! Honestly, I much rather photograph you in your messy, chaotic, but truly yours house, than a house that looks like straight out of Better Homes & Gardens. It’s your house, a lived-in house tells a great and authentic story about the family who lives there.

I look back at photos of my childhood and I search for the details, the books we’ve read, the toys we’ve played with, the food we ate, the pictures on the wall, the ornaments on the Christmas Tree, the hideous wallpaper. That ‘mess’, as annoying as it may be now, will become more and more important and tell such great stories.

What should we do during our session? Can we leave the house?

The short answer is: Yes, you can do whatever you want!

The longer answer… well, there’s two ways we can go about this:

You can just do your thing, whatever that is. I enjoy documenting the ordinary days in a family’s house, with no special activities, just your normal routine. People hang out, do their thing, have meals together, do the laundry, build some Lego, play together.

If you’re a bit worried or anxious about what to do during your session, maybe have a couple of activities planned that everyone enjoys and that facilitate connection. Nothing over the top though. Maybe a walk to the local park to kick the footy around, or a board game, some fun on the trampoline, blowing bubbles, having a barbie in the backyard. Whatever you enjoy doing together, do it.

Whatever you decide to do, just go with the flow and enjoy your time together. That’s what I’ll do, go with the flow and enjoy my time with you. I’ll follow along and document all of your shenanigans.

Why are family documentary sessions so long? I’m not sure my kids will last.

Because good things take time ;-)

While I’m really good a ‘wall flowering’, it still takes a bit of time for everyone to relax and forget about me and the camera. It also takes some time to get an authentic story of your life.

Think about it this way: documentary sessions are not like portrait or lifestyle session. I won’t ask you to sit, pose and smile for 2 hours, or 4 hours. You’re spending family time together, just hanging out. I just happen to be there with my camera. Baby needs a nap, Dad needs to mow the lawn, Junior just wants to read a book - that’s cool, because that’s YOU!

How do you know what to photograph?

I don’t think I have a clear-cut answer to this. I’m drawn to quiet moments, subtle expressions of love and connections. I love the quirkiness and humour of kids. And I’m excited by the comical moments of life (and yes, that includes the mess). I love the traces of humanity throughout the house, like the drawing directly on the wall, the dirty laundry that’s everywhere but the laundry basket, the stickers on the kitchen drawer, the strange arrangement of stuffies in odd places.

I’m an expert wallflower and very observant, and I think it’s instinct that tells me what moments to photograph.

My kids are very ‘camera-aware’ - how do you handle that? how do you get kids to ignore the camera?

It usually only takes 15 minutes or so before they forget about me and the camera. And I’m not asking them to look at me, or smile for me, so they usually start ignoring fairly soon. If a kid is really persistent, then I just put the camera down for a little bit when they start to perform for me. They usually get the hint pretty quickly.

Why are photography sessions so expensive?

Because it’s not just the time when I’m with you pressing the shutter. There’s lots of hidden hours, time to sort and edit, time for admin, travel time, and so on. Photography gear is expensive, too.

But, I do offer payment plans, which can be arranged in whatever timeline works best for you. You can pay me a tiny bit every month leading up to your annual session, and then immediately start paying tiny bits every month toward your next year’s session.

I also offer discounts for single parents, please get in touch to discuss this further.