DOCUMENTARY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Seattle Family Sessions

Seattle Documentary Family Sessions

For families that embrace real, messy, fun, chaotic life that’s full of love and big emotions.

What are Documentary Family Sessions?

A documentary family session is a true and honest capture at an average day for your family with absolutely no posing. Kids being kids, and parents being parents! I become a fly on the wall as I capture the fun, the chaos, the tears (we as parents all know they happen), the love, and mostly, what makes your family special. If you or your significant other isn't a fan of the idea of a typical "pinterest" family photo shoot, then this is a great way to document your family! I tell the story of your family without the prompts or props and create unique artwork along the way.

P.S. I will still get a fun family portrait quickly and without tears during your session upon request!

F.A.Q.s

• How do these work for MATERNITY sessions?
  Maybe you’d like to honor your pregnancy with a snapshot of your family before the new baby arrives in a more modern way. If you have older children, it will feel a whole lot like a regular family session. I will be a bit more creative in making sure your growing belly is included to signal the change that is coming to your family while also paying attention to documenting the relationships with your current children before the birth of their sibling. If this baby is your first, we’ll find an activity that you and your partner either have been doing during pregnancy (nightly walks, cooking together) or document you guys prepping your nursery or just relaxing together at home.

• How do these work for NEWBORN sessions?
  Those fleeting newborn days are a blur (I know this first hand!) and a documentary session is a great way to photograph your new little one as you adjust to your life together. So many of us parents wish we had better photos from those first few days so here’s your chance! Think of it as a way to beautifully capture those raw and hazy days that will soon be a distant memory. I will also do a tiny bit of gentle guiding to get that first official family portrait as well in between nursing, diaper changes, and snuggling with your new babe. I recommend a start time between 9am and 11am when booking your session. Newborn sessions are typically anytime within the first two weeks, but whenever you are ready works, even 1 month later! MORE INFO ON DOCUMENTARY NEWBORN SESSIONS HERE.

• What is a Documentary Session vs a Lifestyle Session?
  A great way to think about a documentary session is to think of it as a visual time capsule of your family in this moment. I artistically capture your real-life interactions, the fun, the chaos, and your love. It is truly a photojournalistic view of your family captured in a way that tells your family’s unique story without prompts, dressing up, or being anything other than yourselves. Lifestyle photography will look unposed, but there are often prompts, posing suggestions, and planned outfits involved. Documentary is 100% real life baby!

• What do we do during our session?
  We’ll chat beforehand about what a normal day looks like for your family and what kinds of activities you would like photographed together. For your session you will generally just do your normal routine! This means you don’t have to worry about getting all dressed up, actually please don’t, just be comfortable and let the kids dress themselves like any other day. We can hang out at home, in your neighborhood, or anywhere else you frequent.

• We really don’t have to do anything in particular?
  Nope! Just be yourselves doing your normal family routine.

• But our lives are boring…
  I promise you your life is not boring. I will be looking for creative ways to capture the emotions, connection, and love of your family. No matter what you do.

• What happens after our session?
  I’ll edit your photos, you’ll receive a sneak peek within a week, and then you’ll receive your full online gallery within 4 weeks of your session. From your gallery you’ll have the option of ordering prints or wall art. You’ll also pick your favorite 20 images for your included album.

• I’d really like a family portrait too. Can you do that during our session?

  Of course! I limit this to about 5 mins max during our session. Trust me that’s all we’ll need! Then you can go back to your normal routine or activities.

What’s next?

1. Reach out via the contact form below. When you submit the contact form below you’ll be forwarded to a scheduling calendar. Please schedule a time to chat if you have any questions or would just like to chat prior to booking. If you’re onboard with this whole documentary thing and don’t need to chat just let me know!

2. When you’re ready, we’ll make it official with some paperwork (all online).

3. As your session approaches I’ll send you a questionnaire to learn more about your family and any preferences for your session.

4. After your session you receive a sneak peek within a week and your final gallery and files within 4 weeks. You’ll also be able to choose the photos for your album!

5. That’s it!

Contact Me to Book Your Session

Family Documentary Photography // Day in the Life Session // Parenthood Sessions // Newborn Sessions

Seattle // Redmond // Bellevue // Kirkland // Woodinville // Bothell