Why 'documentary' family photography? | Natural family photography in South London
If there’s one thing I’ve learned since Covid, it’s that life can change in an instant and so the greatest gift we can experience is the present moment. I know that sounds a little clichèd but it’s what drives me to create photographs of everyday life and moments. When I look back at my photographs, I want to remember the feelings, the connections, the sights, the smells and even all the ‘stuff’ that was important to me and my family at the time. I don’t just want the highlight reel. I want the full movie!
As a mother, I want to remember how much my youngest daughter loves making potions from mucky things she finds in the garden. The crazy love my eldest daughter has for dogs. That look of longing my youngest gives her older sister who’s attention is increasingly elsewhere. I also want to remember our daily routines and rituals, because although they seem fairly mundane right now, I know that before long they’ll be a thing of past. Just the other day my youngest daughter announced that from now on, she would rather have showers than baths - another daily ritual lost in time.
Since photographing families professionally, it’s become increasingly apparent that it’s the images captured between the more directed or set-up ones that my clients tend to love most - the photos that show real connections, real emotions and real moments. These are the photographs that I love the most too, and so I’ve stepped away from directed family ‘lifestyle’ photography and embraced a documentary approach.
What is ‘documentary’ family photography?
In a nutshell, documentary family photography is a type of photo-journalism. It involves no posing, no moving things around, no telling you where to sit or how to stand. The aim of the session is to capture your family doing what you would normally, and to create a series of photographs that transport you back to a particular season of your life - the moments and details which might otherwise have been forgotten. It’s emotive, raw and unscripted and a powerful way to record your family story.
I’m drawn to the the documentary genre because it’s honest and moment driven. We’re bombarded with images where family life has been curated to perfection - perfect homes, perfect clothes, perfect family meals, perfect parenting - but real human experience is about much more than this and worthy of being celebrated.
Documentary family photography is about capturing real moments of love and connection and these are evident in our daily routines and rituals. Preparing meals together, bath time, brushing teeth, getting ready to go out; it’s all worth capturing. When my girls are older, I want to show them what their childhood was actually like, and not just what I might have wanted it to be like, and I want other families to have this opportunity too.
Who is documentary family photography for?
You probably get a bit emotional about your kids growing up too fast. You want to remember all the little habits and routines that shape who you are as a family right now and who your children will become. You want your photographs to evoke feelings and emotions and be a celebration of individual personalities and the relationships between you all. You’re not interested in everyone looking pristine and perfect. You’re able to let your guard down and allow your kids to just be themselves. You want the essence and uniqueness of your family captured beautifully and artistically. You want to preserve your family history for your children and future generations.
Who is documentary family photography not for?
If you want your photographer to choose a beautiful location and give you suggestions on how to coordinate your outfits, then I’m not the photographer for you. I’m also not going to tell you what to do or pose you. A documentary family photo session is about your real life - your personal experiences, your family dynamics, your connection with one another, your routines. My role as your photographer is to anticipate moments and present you with a collection of photographs that tells your family story honestly.
How does a documentary family session work?
A documentary session can be short or long but I generally find the longer I’m with a family the more opportunities there are for me to capture a real representation of who you are. Longer sessions also allow time for even the shyest members of the family to relax and allow their true personalities to shine through.
I offer two-hour Slice of Life sessions, where you might choose one or two activities that facilitate family interaction. These are great if you just want a little taste of what a documentary session feels like. I’m happy to take a few gently directed portraits during these short sessions, but for the most part I’ll photograph completely natural moments.
Day in the Life sessions are my absolute favourite as I really get to photograph it all. Before your session we’ll chat through what you had in mind for our time together and what your usual morning, afternoon or day looks like. Because the focus will be on real life there really isn’t anything you need to do to prepare!
Won’t it feel weird having a stranger follow us around with a camera?
Yes and no, but the beauty of a longer session is that there’s time for us to get used to each other. I don’t take a fly on the wall approach (because that would be a bit weird) but actively engage with you all until that awkwardness goes away. I will be just like a friend hanging out with you who happens to have a camera. Plus we’ll get to know each other beforehand. I’m more than happy to either pop in for a cuppa if your local, or chat on FaceTime before our session, so that I’m not a complete stranger to you and your children. And remember that with a documentary session, there’s no need to perform or do anything other than you normally enjoy doing. Once you’re used to my presence you’ll probably forget that I’m even there.
What sort of photographs will I get?
You might feel like nothing particularly special is going on, or that your life isn’t very interesting, but I can assure you that it really is. My job as a documentary photographer is to observe and anticipate moments and to create a series of images that work collectively to tell your unique story. I’ll capture both the highs and lows of your everyday life, how you play, live and work together, how you love and how you are loved, what brings you joy and sometimes, what brings you sadness. Your photos will be completely unique to you because they capture the essence of your family.
What you end up with is a priceless collection of images that will be have real meaning and be a beautiful and honest record of your family history for your children and future generations.
“Michaela, I just looked at all the pictures and got really emotional... Thank you so much for capturing what we do and our family routines so beautifully and making it all look so special. I love the pictures.”
Wondering what a documentary family session looks like? Take a look at some of my favourite images from a recent Half Day in the Life session…