Documentary Family Photography: Creating Your Family Archive
One of the joys of being a Seattle family photographer is that I get to document clients over years of growth and change. I’ve been lucky to photograph Vanessa’s family at their Vashon Island farm for five years now. Their photos are a perfect example of how documentary family photography can create an archive of magical, unfiltered moments.
Why Documentary Family Photography Hits Different
Documentary family photography isn’t the trip to JC Penny you might have taken with your family when you were a kid. This style aims to document your family as you really are. It prioritizes real moments over glamorous poses, creativity over convention. Here are five reasons why documentary family photography hits different.
1. It’s a better look into your family’s real narrative.
Your family’s story is so much deeper than a moment that everyone is standing still and looking at the camera. The beautiful, chaotic in betweens are the heart of your story. Your photos should reflect that.
2. You can create your family archive.
In the age of social media, it’s easy to forget that photos are forever. They’re how we pass our story from one generation to the next. Documentary family photography helps you do that with that perfect combination of honesty and creativity.
3. It documents children’s alchemy from a unique perspective.
Let’s face it. Kids’ magic lies in the unpredictable moments. They say or do something that you never in a million years could have expected, and you love them for it. This style of photography embraces that.
4. This style embraces real life, not fake and forced poses.
Real life isn’t always pretty, but it’s true. Sometimes your kids are a blur running through a field at blue hour. Sometimes they’re a pile of cuddles. It’s not about striking the perfect pose. It’s about documenting tender and joyful moments.
5. It mixes art with the freedom to be yourself in your photos.
Documentary photography is an art. It lets you be yourself while using light, color, and movement to tell your story.
Creating Vanessa’s Family Archive
Like I said before, I’ve photographed Vanessa and her family for years. I love visiting them at their farm on Vashon Island across the water from Seattle. These kids live the life with everything they could dream of on that farm. They also always send me home with treats from the farm - apples, eggs, homemade bread, you name it!
Since I’ve photographed this family for years, their photos show how we’ve grown alongside each other. We’ve also gotten really good at doing their sessions fast. Photo sessions never last more than an hour or so. Documentary family photography can be incredible without being an all-day commitment.
Our fourth session included a Super 8 film. I’m obsessed with how it turned out.
Would you like me to work with me for your documentary family photography? Let’s embrace real life with candid photos you’ll cherish. Reach out to me here!