Why choosing a documentary photographer for your next family photoshoot? • Juliette Fradin family photographer
Are you thinking about hiring a photographer for your family pictures? You will soon realize there are lots of different styles or genre out there. I even wrote a blog post about it to help you pick the right style for the right moment (needs change!).
Documentary photography will let you see your family as close as “real life” as possible. Of course, your house might be a little bit more tidy than usual, your clothes a little bit more fancy than on a regular day but your love and bond will shine through. 100%.
You are encouraged to slow down. No need to be “on” for the camera or even be all at the same place at the same moment. If you want to check your emails/ Instagram/ whatever, do so! The ordinary moments are often the most meaningful and beautiful. Don’t worry about being “boring”. There is no such thing in my creative world.
Documentary sessions are incredibly personal. They won’t resemble anyone else’s. They are for you if you want lively portraits that actually look like you. It is the opposite of a sit-on-a-blanket-and-smile photo. THe pictures won’t be pinterest-perfect but YOU-PERFECT. The backdrop will be your home, captured as it is in that stage in your life, surrounded by meaningful objects: your special coffee cup, the kids’ mud kitchen in the backyard, the striving pothos plant from your mom...
Your animal friends will be part of the photoshoot. Your energetic puppy, indoor cat, or beta fish are also part of the family and need special attention. I will include them as much as possible.
Because your kid won’t sit still.… Whether you have a rambunctious kid or a quiet one who might need more time to warm up, after a few minutes, they will be their true selves again. You’ll be able to relax. And I will take the best photos ever. They will happily give me a tour of their play space and show me all the things and places they love.
You will have a visual diary of your family’s story with YOU in it. Do you feel like you’re not existing in the photos unless it’s a quick selfie? The number one request I get from moms or caregivers is that they want beautiful pictures of them WITH their kids, doing things together.. not just selfies. This is very important to me and something I pay attention to. Even if not specifically requested because I know that you will crave pictures like these. And your kids too, now and in 5, 10, 20 years.
Documentary sessions can happen all year long, from morning to night, rain or shine. We don’t depend on the weather as much. We can even take a walk in the rain and come back to warm towels and hot chocolate… Even in dark places, I can take beautiful photographs. Maybe your favorite time of the year is when things are slowing down, when Summer and Autumn are colliding or when your vegetable garden and flowers are luxuriant. Let’s plan around that. We can start as early as your kid wake up or as late to catch firebugs hunt. Unless you’d prefer Smore’s around the fire pit? You tell me.
I have a documentary approach for photographing families so they can just slow down and enjoy the simple moment of being together. If you would like to see more of my recent family photography, head over to my Instagram account. I love to document the love (and tears) that go into family life, or managing a small business or a sweet reunion. Subscribe to my newsletter below and join other epic families. xx
