Why I Love This Annual Mother Daughter Documentary Session
One of my favorite traditions every year is photographing Emma and Ada. Theirfamily sessions are never about coordinating outfits or finding the perfect location. They're about documenting the things they genuinely enjoy doing together right now.
Every year, before their session, they make a simple list of activities they love. Nothing elaborate. Just real life.
Some years we've blown bubbles, baked brownies or had a dance party. This year their list included playing Monopoly, Rice Krispie treats, sitting together at the piano, and even embracing a rainy afternoon with an umbrella instead of trying to avoid the weather.
It's such a fun reminder that the best photo sessions don't have to be built around elaborate ideas. They just have to reflect who you are.
A Session That Feels Like Real Life
One of the reasons I look forward to seeing Emma and Ada every year is because they never worry about performing for the camera. Instead, they focus on spending time together.
There's laughter, tickling and cuddling. Quiet moments happen while sitting at the piano. Even walking outside in the rain became part of the story instead of something that interrupted it.
Those little moments are often the ones that become favorites later.
They're also the moments that change every year. As kids grow, their interests shift. Their conversations change. Their personalities become even more defined. Having these sessions every year creates a collection of memories that feels authentic to that season of life.
Why I Chose So Many Black and White Images
As I worked through this gallery, I found myself converting many of the images to black and white.
For these photographs, color wasn't the part of the story that mattered most.
Removing it lets your eyes settle on their expressions, the little smiles they share, the way they naturally interact, and the connection between them. It simplifies the image and puts the relationship front and center.
I love color photography, but sometimes black and white has a way of removing distractions so the emotion becomes even more noticeable.
Documentary Sessions Don't Need Elaborate Plans
One thing I hear from families is that they love the idea of documentary photography but have no idea what they'd actually do during a session.
The good news is that it doesn't take much.
Most of the best sessions start with a short list of everyday activities your family already enjoys together.
You might:
Bake cookies or your favorite dessert.
Play a favorite board game.
Read books together.
Build LEGO creations.
Work on a puzzle.
Play catch in the backyard.
Garden together.
Paint, draw, or make crafts.
Walk the dog.
Have a picnic.
Play music together.
The goal isn't to create Pinterest-worthy moments.
The goal is simply to photograph your family doing the things that already make up your life.
Those everyday traditions are often the memories you'll want to revisit years from now.
Let the Day Be What It Is
This year's session happened on a cloudy day. Instead of wishing for sunshine, we leaned into it.
The umbrella became part of the story, the soft light made everything feel calm, and the weather gave us photographs that were completely unique to this particular year.
Some of my favorite sessions happen when we stop trying to control every detail and simply work with whatever the day brings.
Looking Forward to Next Year
I'm incredibly grateful that Emma and Ada continue to invite me back year after year.
Watching their relationship evolve has been one of the greatest gifts of photographing families over time. Every gallery becomes another chapter in their story, and I love knowing they'll be able to look back and remember not just what they looked like, but what life actually felt like together.
If you've ever thought about creating photographs that feel more like your real life than a traditional portrait session, I'd love to help you plan one. It starts with a simple list of the things your family already loves doing together, and from there we'll create images that tell your story in a way that feels natural, relaxed, and completely your own.
