Let's Demystify Documentary Photography Sessions with Answers to Your Most Asked Questions
What is it?
In a documentary photography sesssion, I use a documentary approach to photographing you and/or your family, event, or friends. Taking this approach means that I don't intervene with what is in front of me. I will not pose or direct you, or move anything around. I won't tell you what to wear. I just come and document you as you live your life. To photograph authentic moments, I integrate myself into the energy and logistics of your home so that you can be your full selves as much as possible as you go about your day: cooking, working, playing, resting, chores, bedtime, mealtime, and more.
No need to dress up or tidy.
My goal is to create the feeling of having a good friend come to visit: you can be yourselves, are content with both conversation and quiet, and are comfortable with the fact that I’ll fade in and out of the background.
How do I know if it's a good fit for me?
Think about what some of your favorite photos are-- of you, your family, historic events, etc. If they are candid photos of unplanned moments, then you just might love the photos from your documentary session. If you tend to be the person who takes photos but aren't in many photos, then this is a good fit for you. If you feel awkward in posed photos, I think we'll be a great fit for each other. If you're concerned about having a photographer around and not knowing what to do around the camera, many people find that the documentary style session is actually much more laid back. Your only job is to go about your day as you normally would, and ignore me.
My house is kind of a mess, and what if my kids throw a tantrum?
Everything in your home is a part of your story. I am non-judgmental and am someone who actually appreciates when someone doesn't feel a need to straighten up for me- it feels like a level of vulnerability and intimacy! If your kid throws a tantrum or something else unexpected (or completely predictable if not desirable!), it is ALL part of everyday life, and that's what I want to capture. Imagine what it might be like many years down the road to look back at snipppets of your current life... I have a feeling that you'll want to see the many moods and joys and challenges, because they are all the fibers of your life.
Should I plan activities? It sounds like a lot of time. Is there anything we should make sure NOT to do?
You definitely don't need to plan anything, unless having a couple of planned things will help put you at ease. I would recommend thinking about what your family likes doing together, and just plan to do those things. I love documenting regular days that don't have anything special planned. The most important thing is to be open to going with the flow, and to allow me to be a fly on the wall-- your personal, unobtrusive, paparazza.
Sessions are unscripted and focus on what unfolds naturally. By removing direction and posing from the session, I create images that tell an authentic story, whether that's a day in the life of your family, a special event, your workplace, and anything else that is a part of your life story.
The longer the session, the more opportunity for the best photos. It takes a while for people to relax around the camera- especially some kids, who might try to ham it up at first. In terms of what not to do, my only request is that we not do activities that involves other families/children (it can be challenging to only get photos with your children, as I would need explicit permission to get photos of the other kids).
What does it cost? How long is a session?
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Mini Session (2 hours): $600 - guarantees a minimum of 40 images
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Half-day in the Life (4 hours): $1000- guarantees a minimum of 80 images
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A Full Day in the Life (sunrise to lullabies, will include some breaks, roughly 10 hours): $2500- guarantees a minimum of 150 images
All session prices include a non-refundable $200 deposit that is required to book
Wedding quote available upon request!
I'm still not sure whether it's a good fit.
Reach out to me, and we'll talk / email / zoom through it! I will not try to convince you of anything-- it doesn't benefit anyone if I try to force you to have a documentary photo session! I will answer any questions you have so that you can come to a decision that you feel good about. Call, email, or text; see below: