What Actually Happens During a Documentary Family Session

I’m surrounded by photography and shoots every day. To me? The most normal thing ever. Super fun, but not overly mystical or out of the box. However, I know for you this is a rare moment. You’ve saved, found a photographer, spent your money, and have hopes and ideas (and maybe anxiety?) about what happens next. Enter… me! To explain what’s gonna happen, what the vibes are, and hopefully squash all that anxiety for good.

First off - you’ve chosen a documentary style shoot. You rebel, you.
Documentary photography can feel a bit mysterious from the outside, especially if you’re used to sessions where there’s direction, posing, prompts, and a general sense of ‘doing it right’. So let me tell you, very plainly, what actually happens when I arrive for a documentary family session.

Starting off - I’ll arrive (quite possibly in a chattery whirlwind of joy, as is usual for me), introduce myself, meet you all, pat your dog too much, and start getting all my cameras out. So far - pretty standard. Usually this is when families start to feel like they need to switch to ‘photoshoot mode’. Maybe wait for some direction. Maybe even feel like they need to start performing.

Here’s where we start to diverge from the well-beaten path.

You don’t need to do any of that. Once I’m there and we’ve settled in, the idea is that you keep doing whatever you were already doing - or would be doing if I wasn’t there. Making toast. Arguing gently about socks. Sitting on the couch scrolling. Packing lunches. Waiting for the kettle to boil.

And that’s the session.

Yep - I know. Kind of different. Bit weird. And it can feel a little uncomfy and confronting. It’s - quite literally - just you, as you are.

For some of you, this may feel like pulling on a pair of well-worn jeans. The relief of just existing is wonderful and easy. For others, it may feel awkward as fuck. You might move around thinking, what do I do with my hands? There’s a stranger in my house. Yes - but does this look good enough for a photo? And that’s normal. You’re not doing it wrong if it feels a bit awkward at the start. You’re just adjusting to being observed. It’s not the most normal thing, and your body and brain will absolutely alert you to it.

Next - we’re in the shoot. It’s happening. And another thought may come up… you might notice that the session isn’t busy. There’s not a lot of movement or stuff happening. It’s quieter - and it can be tough to gauge things because there’s less feedback. That’s not because nothing is happening. It’s because I’m observing, not reacting. I’m watching how things unfold, not steering them.

I’m still working the whole time. I’m just doing it without interrupting your rhythm in the slightest. Another thing that might feel new - and not the comfiest initially. It’s okay. We are brave, and we can do new things.

There’s no expectation for kids to behave a certain way. There’s no need to correct them for the sake of the camera. In fact - I insist that you don’t. If something doesn’t go to plan, that’s not a problem.

Eventually - usually about halfway through the shoot - something happens that surprises a lot of mums. Once you let go of trying to manage the session, something else starts to appear. You start to notice things you normally rush past. Small interactions. Familiar routines. The quiet bits you usually don’t register because you’re too busy getting through the day.

It can feel strange at first - and then quietly grounding. Familiar. Normal. Sometimes even a little revolutionary. Not because anything big happens, but because you start to realise how much is already there. Already happening.

We’ve arrived at the heart of what this photography style is. It’s not about producing a version of your family. It’s about witnessing it. It’s honest. Sometimes vulnerable. Occasionally uncomfortable. Eventually - surprisingly calm. And for the right people, deeply affirming.

And then? Girl… we have rocked an authentic documentary session that has captured a snapshot of your family exactly as they are right now.

So if the idea of being photographed without performing feels more relieving than stressful…
If you’re curious about what your life looks like when you stop trying to present it…
If you’re brave enough to be seen exactly as you are, even when there’s nothing particularly impressive happening…

A session like this might make more sense than you initially think.