I pride myself on my low-intervention, lifestyle approach to family photography. I like giving a little direction and letting you just run with it. It’s a rare thing, though, when a client specifically asks for no direction and no posing. You know your family best though, and when it’s best for me to try to blend into the scenery until your kids are ready to acknowledge me, I’m totally cool with that. And if they only acknowledge me on the way back to the car when we’re all packed up and ready to go, that’s okay too. We can get amazing family photos that don’t include them looking at the camera at all.

This particular balmy afternoon in November was perfect for playing in a park. It was particularly perfect for playing in a park near their home, where they were comfortable and had spent time before, because it meant the kids didn’t need to get used to a new location while also playing and being photographed.

I loved the outfits this family chose for their totally-documentary photo session. They chose what made them comfortable and happy, and the photos we made were even more them because of their choice to wear clothing that felt like them.

It’s not often when I’m given a whole session to document without giving any instruction at all. Those moments are typically saved for documenting my own family, not because I’m selfish, but because it can be a challenge for clients to relinquish full control and to really love seeing what I see through my camera. I so appreciate the trust this family had in me, though, and I’d love to shoot more sessions like this.

Audra really seemed to enjoy the end result, too:

“These are PERFECT! Thank you so so so so much for capturing our family. They made us laugh and cry. I think I watched the slideshow on repeat 10 or 12 times before I sent it to some friends!… [personal info redacted]…I’m so grateful.”

Me too, Audra. I’m so grateful for your trust in me, and love what we were able to create together. Thank you!

If you’re nervous about posing for family photos and lean more toward the documentary style, I’m more than happy to stand (or sit, or lie) in the background and just quietly snap away. I’m even more happy to do that at your home or in your own backyard, wherever you’re most comfortable.

Schedule a call with me and let’s talk about where you’d like me to skulk around you (in a good way) in 2022.