Don't Sweat It: Addressing 5 Common Concerns People Have About Documentary Photography Sessions

Many families that are considering a documentary family session often have the same worries or objections. I’m here to walk you through the five most common myths I encounter, and why these are five worries that shouldn’t keep you from booking a session.

1.        My house has to be spotless for a session like this.

No need to call in the housecleaning service prior to a session like this, unless they’re already scheduled to come. I’m a parent of two kids under ten and I know what a house that’s lived in looks like. I’ve constantly got bicycles in my living room and a cluttered dining table. Guess what? I still take photos in my house almost daily. Clutter and messes are normal when you’re raising kids and it makes you house feel lived in and warm. I would actually be more surprised to come to a home for a session that’s completely pristine. Don’t sweat the small stuff, I shoot in a way that will minimize any clutter that might be in the background.

2.        Shouldn’t my kids be little for a documentary session?

Although a lot of parents with young kids tend to gravitate towards these types of sessions, the fact is a documentary session isn’t meant for any one type of family. You don’t even have to have kids to book a session like this.  It could just be a session based on you and your partner and your pets, or you and your extended family. No kids required to book a family session. Have teens or tweens? They’re still perfect for these sessions. They may roll their eyes and not play it up for the camera, but you’re still going to come away with amazing photos from our time together.

3.         Shouldn’t we wait for a big milestone?

It may be tempting to tell yourself you need to wait for something big to happen before you book, but there’s no need to wait for a milestone. Although first birthdays, championship tournaments, or the birth of your child are all perfect for documentary sessions, so is your everyday life. 

4.        How will you even get good photos? Our family is boring.

You’d be surprised how someone who isn’t a part of your family can view and capture the moments that you may not even realize are a part of your day. The hundreds of  small minute details that make up your day are far more interesting than you would believe and I love being able to show families how I see them and how special and unique they are.

5.        Don’t we have to plan an outing to make this worth photographing?

I love when families plan outings to places that are special to them or that they often visit.  If you go to the zoo every Tuesday, by all means, let’s keep that routine when I’m photographing your family. Maybe you have a weekly dinner spot that’s special to you. Or maybe it’s library day with your usual stop at the grocery store. Although outings make for great photos, so does playing on the trampoline in your backyard, gathering around the table to play board games and siblings wrestling in their rooms.  The location and activities aren’t what make your photos spectacular. You and your family are what make good photos, great.

If you’re ready to book your own documentary session, you can contact me by clicking on the button below.