What exactly is documentary photography?
This photography style is growing in popularity and it’s not surprising why. Documentary photography captures your family’s real life in the most beautiful way. These sessions focus on archiving your family just as you are – it’s totally unconventional to what we’re used to seeing on our friend’s Instagram accounts. It’s focus is on authentic moments. Documentary photography sessions document your ordinary everyday life. It’s the antithesis of IG highlight reels!
The sessions include a variety of images, including closeup detail shots, wide angle shots providing context, and focuses on documenting relationships, personalities, and an ordinary day in your life. The ultimate goal in documentary photography is to capture your family genuinely.
“Story, as it turns out, was crucial to our evolution — more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to.”
– Lisa Cron, Wired for Story
There are four distinct differences between portrait photography and documentary photography.
1) Location
As it’s name implies, the goal in documentary photo sessions is to document your real life. One way to ensure everyone is comfortable in front of the camera is by putting some thought into your location. It’s also a great way to add significant meaning to your images because you get to shoot in places you love to spend time at, like your home. Documentary sessions usually take place in a setting familiar to you – such as your home or backyard, but of course you are not limited to those spaces.
Some popular locations include: yours or a relative’s home, your backyard, a neighborhood park, your favorite hiking trail, museum, or cafe, or a nature park.
Planning an activity that your family enjoys regularly could also lead to a fun location idea like; strolling the farmers market, canoeing, trip to Grandparents, camping, eating ice cream at a local parlor, or flying kites.
The best way to pick a location is to make a short list of your favorite regular activities. Where do you all enjoy spending time together? Let’s go there!
2) Posing
Throw it out the window! In documentary photography, there is no formal posing involved. In contrast to traditional family portraits, you won’t be instructed to hold your chin in a specific direction or move your legs this way or that. Rather, we’ll take photos while you’re naturally interacting with your family.
Preparing meals, doing laundry, playing with your kids, comforting them after a fall, or laughing at your partner’s inappropriate jokes are some of the moments we may capture together. The story unfolds naturally – completely unscripted.
One of the best things about documentary photography is that we never know what will happen or what type of photographs we’ll get in the end. Moods, personalities and the weather all help shape it. Each session is a unique representation of your family – there won’t be any other images like yours. Therefore, posing would only inhibit our ability to capture authentic images that are truly yours.
Yes, in all my research, the greatest leaders looked inward and were able to tell a good story with authenticity and passion.
Deepak Chopra
3) Props
There aren’t really true props in documentary photography. Everything is a prop! Imagine toddlers holding gnawed on carrots, kids snuggling their pets and mom wielding a whisk – those are our everyday, ordinary props.
During home sessions, I make it a point though to photograph items I notice or discover that are of importance to your family. Sometimes that may include ultrasound photos on your fridge, love notes from your spouse, or little drawings left behind by children.
Additionally, in documentary photography we’ll keep everything looking as it normally would. We don’t manipulate the environment by moving furniture or tidying up bedrooms as we go. Your off the hook, all you have to do is live your life as if I’m not there.
4) Emotions & Planning
All emotions are welcome in documentary photography. We are here to document your “real life”. With kids, this could easily include a few tantrums or bruised egos. Naturally, our goal is to have more joyful memories than anything else!
You won’t need to devote hours to coordinating outfits on Pinterest or spend money on new clothes. Wear what makes you feel awesome – let kids dress themselves. Pirate patches, capes and tutus are enthusiastically welcome! Kids are celebrated for who they are, just as they are.
Documentary sessions aren’t planned. There is always room for spontaneity and adventure. As a matter of fact, it’s encouraged!
The Best Thing about Documentary Family Photography
In conclusion, a documentary session gives you the opportunity to see your family as an observer. Have you ever wished for images that evoke laughter, tears and are heartwarming all at the same time? Documentary photos are a window to your own world. And chances are, you’re short on photos with you in them!
Furthermore, it’s a unique opportunity to document your special relationships and unique personalities. Your family will especially cherish these photos because of the genuine moments captured. The images will serve as a time capsule of the phase of life you’re in right now. There’s no better time than now to document your life – it goes by too fast, as they say.
Learn More
If you’re interested in learning more about how I approach my photo sessions, this article further explains many of the techniques I use.
Want to see what a documentary session looks like? Check out this family session to see for yourself!
Book Your Session
Are you ready to document your story? Get in touch and let’s start planning because if you wait for the perfect moment, you’re actually missing the ones happening right now.
