I’ve been photographing this family for ten years now—ever since their oldest was six months old. No posing, no directing—just me hanging back and capturing whatever unfolds. Every six months we pick a new spot. This winter it was Bilston Creek, and the kids got to try s’mores for the first time. It was raining, but they didn’t care. The fire kept things cozy, and the sugar rush kept them moving.
Afterward, they had homemade pizza, and we wandered around the grounds. These sessions are never about trying to get the “perfect” photo. They’re about showing what life really looks like at this moment in time. That’s what makes it fun—for them and for me. It’s been a privilege to watch these kids grow up and I love knowing they’ll have these memories preserved in the years to come!
If you’re wondering what a documentary-style session is like—here’s the deal: no direction, no posing, no “look over here.” I just hang out with your family and photograph what’s really going on. You can still smile at the camera if you want, but nothing’s forced. I studied documentary broadcast journalism in grad school, and this approach lets me tell stories that are personal and real. If you like the idea of your photos feeling like a snapshot of your actual life, this style might be a good fit.
