Documentary Family Sessions


Capture the beautiful, messy, and joyful moments of everyday life with a Documentary Family Sessions.

These sessions are all about storytelling—documenting your family’s real interactions, personalities, and connections without the pressure of perfect poses or forced smiles. Whether it’s a cozy morning at home, a family adventure at the park, or something in between, we’ll freeze those spontaneous moments that truly make up your family’s story.

What Is a Documentary Family Session?

A Documentary Family Session is a candid photography experience designed to capture your family’s authentic moments in their natural setting. Rather than focusing on traditional posed portraits, these sessions tell the story of your family during an everyday activity. From making breakfast together to exploring your favorite local spot, the goal is to document the love, laughter, and even the little chaos that happens in between.

This session is about freezing time in its most natural form—the way your family truly is.

What to Expect:

  • Time Frame: Sessions typically last about 2 hours, giving us plenty of time to capture genuine moments and interactions as they naturally unfold. This gives time to let the moments happen, rather than force the moments.

  • Location: You get to choose! Whether it’s in the comfort of your home or an outing to a place that’s special to your family, I’ll follow your lead, but also have some ideas!

  • Activity-Based Fun: Choose an activity (or a few activities) that feels true to your family. This could be baking together, pillow fights with the kids, a cozy movie morning, or an outdoor adventure like picking apples or visiting a park. I’ll capture the story as it unfolds, letting the magic of everyday life shine through.

Why Invest in a Documentary Family Session?

Life moves fast, and it’s easy to forget the small moments that make up the heart of your family. Posed photos are great, but they don’t always capture the in-between moments—the laughter, the playfulness, the love that happens naturally when no one is looking. Documentary Family Sessions allow you to freeze those memories forever, preserving the real interactions that are so uniquely you.

  • Capture Authenticity: Forget forcing smiles or staging the perfect shot. This is about your family in its realest, most authentic form.

  • Storytelling: Every family has its own story. Let me capture the heart of yours—whether it's the everyday routine of your home life or a special family outing, these sessions are about telling your unique story.

  • Cherish the Little Things: Whether it’s your kids’ favorite game, a simple family breakfast, or a cozy Sunday morning, these moments matter. And they deserve to be remembered.

What’s Included:

  • Pre-Session Consultation: We’ll chat about what makes your family unique and plan out an activity that fits your lifestyle.

  • 2-Hour Documentary Session: A relaxed, natural session capturing the real moments as they happen.

  • 100+ High-Resolution Photos: You’ll receive a gallery of hand-edited, high-quality images that tell your family’s story.

  • Download and Printing Rights: All images come with the rights to download, print, and share as you please.

Pricing Structure:

Documentary Family Sessions start at $1,200 and include:

  • A pre-session consultation

  • 2 hours of candid, documentary-style photography

  • A gallery of 100+ high-resolution, hand-edited images

  • Full download and printing rights for all your images

  • Sessions take place within 20 miles of 20906

Additional Options:

  • Extended Sessions (3+ hours): $1,600

  • Outside 20 miles of 20906: $125 (or more depending on travel time)

  • Custom Albums: Starting at $300, beautifully crafted albums that tell your family’s story in print.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What kind of activities can we choose for the session?
You can choose any activity that feels authentic to your family. Some families like to document their morning routine—making breakfast, getting ready for the day—while others choose something more playful like a trip to the park, an afternoon in the garden, or even bubble baths for the little ones. The key is to pick something that’s meaningful and fun for your family. I can help you brainstorm some ideas!

Do we need to pose for the camera?
Not at all! The beauty of documentary sessions is that they capture moments as they happen naturally. I’ll be there to photograph your family interacting in a real, relaxed way. There’s no need to worry about perfect poses or looking at the camera.

Where can the session take place?
The location is entirely up to you. Many families choose to have these sessions at home, where their daily lives unfold naturally. Others opt for an outdoor location like a park, a favorite café, or a family outing to a local attraction. It’s all about capturing your family in a space that feels right to you.

What should we wear?
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and reflects your family’s personality! There’s no need to dress up unless that’s part of the activity. Whether it’s cozy pajamas for a morning session or casual outfits for an outdoor adventure, just be yourselves.

What’s the difference between a documentary session and a regular family session?
A regular family session typically includes more posed shots with everyone looking at the camera, while a documentary session is focused on candid, unscripted moments. It’s less about getting the perfect shot and more about capturing the essence of your family through natural interactions and activities.

How long does it take to receive the photos?
You can expect your fully edited gallery within 1-2 weeks of your session. I carefully hand-edit each image to ensure your family’s story is told beautifully.