Documentary family photography is so different from your typical portrait session. Here are some common concerns people have.
“Going in, I was mainly concerned that I would not have enough going on that was interesting enough for pictures and video. I was also concerned with how clean my house was after just having a baby. But Meili let me know that the point is to be who you are at that moment. Now when I see what she has done, I get emotional and feel super grateful, just like when I did after seeing our images for the first time, but even more now because it is a moment in time saved about us, and especially me as a mother with my last baby.”
Jennifer Chipping
“My house is so messy!”
Unless you want to feature your house because you are moving, or there is something you particularly love about your house, I am there to photograph your family, not your house or your mess. I use my knowledge in composition, framing, depth of field (to name a few) to focus on the most important parts of a scene. Usually that is the interactions between your family, moments of play, and the details that tell your story. We are documenting real life so some toys on the floor and dishes in the sink will not spoil your photos one bit. In most cases they are just another layer of your family’s beautiful story. I can’t imagine having my son’s beloved scrappy, stuffed fox or the stacks of my husband’s books edited out of our family photos, because they are a part of who we are. This is not an expose on your unmade bed or the open closet. It is about a beautiful moment you had with your new baby as memorized each other’s faces while you nursed him. You can pick up the clutter on the counter if it makes you feel better or clear the hallways so no one trips, but I won’t judge your house. In fact, I’m usually so focused on the story I rarely notice.
“We’re too boring…”
Most people believe two false things about their family, that their boring and that they’re a little bit crazy. but it turns out that that little bit of crazy isn’t that crazy at and is what makes you totally interesting. You may think you need to plan a slew of incredible adventures to avoid boring pictures, but most people are surprised at how much they love images of their everyday routines, like making pancakes, reading bedtime stories, and brushing teeth. Sometimes we are so busy life-ing that we don’t notice the beauty in the way our kids are actually really best of friends even though they seem to be fighting all the time, or cuddling in bed on a Saturday morning that comes too soon. But I will be there to show you how beautiful and not boring your life really is.
“My kids are probably going to be so wild and crazy?”
Kids are usually very aware of the camera in the beginning and they love showing off for the camera. With a little time and a few tricks up my sleeve, they will forget about the camera and get back to their normal selves. As for them just plain acting “naughty,” I have kids of my own and I’m used to chaos that comes with kids, including tantrums and meltdowns. Not only will I not judge because we’ve all been there, but it’s also totally normal! The many ups and downs of one day are all part of normal life. And although the meltdowns can be super annoying right now, you will look at your photos and know that you were exactly the parent your kids needed and you were more than enough! Take a deep breath, and just know I will also be there to document you giving all the cuddles after the storm, and kissing the skinned knees better.
Most people really want to have documentary photos '“like that” of their own family. But then the self doubt starts to enter their minds. They wonder if their house is clean enough, if their family is interesting enough, if they are enough. You are enough! And you deserve this! You deserve to see how beautiful and interesting your life and family really are. You deserve to see all the love and life I see when I photograph your family. I see it and you will too when you look at your images from your shoot.