Year in the Life: A Deeper Look at Long-Term Family Storytelling (Part 2)

If the first Year in the Life post was about logistics and “how it works,” this one is about the heart of it all. Photographing a family across a full year isn’t just a project, it becomes a relationship, a rhythm, and a story that reveals itself slowly. Here’s a closer look at what makes these sessions so meaningful.

1. What inspired you to start offering Year in the Life sessions?

I’ve always loved the quiet, unscripted moments that happen between the “big events.” A whole year gives me the chance to witness the transitions, the way a toddler’s feet dangle a little lower from the breakfast bench, the shift from warm layers to bare feet in the grass, the new routines that quietly replace the old ones. Families change quickly, and this format preserves the beauty in that evolution.

2. How do the photos from these sessions evolve over the course of a year?

Early sessions often feel cozy and familiar, usually indoors or in favorite spots. As the year moves forward, families tend to get more comfortable on camera and lean into their natural rhythms. By the final sessions, the photos often reflect a deeper ease, new traditions, and visible growth, everything from first steps to new sibling roles to the way the light in your home shifts with each season.

3. What kinds of stories emerge when you document a family over time?

Patterns start to stand out, the rituals that repeat, the personalities that shine through, the ways a family’s love language shows up in daily life. Maybe it’s weekend pancakes, a beloved stuffie, a backyard garden growing through the seasons, or a toddler’s insistence on wearing the same favorite rain boots for months. Over time, these threads weave together into a fuller picture of who your family is right now.

4. How do you keep kids (and parents!) feeling natural with a camera around?

Time is the secret ingredient. Because I’m visiting regularly, kids see me more as a familiar grown-up than a photographer. They don’t feel pressure to “perform,” which means I can capture their real expressions and energy. Parents tend to relax for the same reason, once they realize they don’t have to pose or direct, they simply get to be in the moment. I have actually increased my session time to 90 minutes instead of just an hour. That extra 30 minutes has helped everyone let their guard down a bit more and also allows us all to feel less rushed if there’s an activity planned.

5. Do you approach each family differently, or follow a consistent storytelling style?

The documentary approach stays consistent, but every family truly shapes its own story. Some are high-energy and outdoorsy; some are quiet and cozy; some have new babies and ever-shifting routines. I follow what’s real, your pace, your dynamic, your version of everyday life.

6. What surprises families most when they look back at the full year of images?

Almost always: how much has changed without them realizing it. Parents notice things like the way a child’s hands have grown, how their home has transformed, or how a morning routine has now become a cherished memory. It’s the subtle things that hit the hardest, the details you can’t see clearly until you have a full year side by side.

7. What’s been your most memorable moment or session from a Year in the Life project?

There are always standout moments - a first birthday, messy baking disasters, the joy of playing in the fall leaves - but the truth is, the most memorable pieces are usually small. A child inviting me into their imaginative world, a quiet hug on a couch, a routine unfolding naturally that will inevitably fade as a child grows. Those are the moments that stay with me.

8. Do these photos change in meaning as time passes?

Absolutely. What feels “ordinary” now becomes priceless later. Families often tell me that the photos mean more a year, two years, or five years later than they did when they first received them. Kids grow, homes evolve, and life shifts. The images become a time capsule of a season you can’t return to.

9. What add-ons or keepsakes do families usually choose to celebrate the completed year?

Every family receives an included year-end album, designed to tell the whole story beautifully. Additionally, families love to order prints, framed wall pieces, or an extra copy of their album for sharing with family that may not live close by. The album is especially popular because it brings the year together in one place; a tangible story you can flip through again and again.

10. What advice would you give families who want to start documenting their year?

Don’t overthink it. You don’t need perfect outfits, a spotless house, or a list of activities. The beauty of these sessions is that they’re grounded in your real life. Show up as you are, embrace your routines, and trust that your everyday moments have value. They’re the ones you’ll want to remember most.