7 Ways Families Keep Their Documentary Photo Session Stress-Free

When I show up to photograph a family, I’m not looking for perfection—I’m looking for real life. The families who end up having the most relaxed sessions aren’t doing anything complicated. They just set themselves up in simple ways that make the whole experience easier.

Here are seven things families do that help keep sessions stress-free:

1. They stay in their own space

Home is where everyone feels comfortable. The kids know where the snacks are, you know where the coffee is, and nothing feels forced.

2. They don’t over-plan

Some families want to create a schedule of “activities” for their session. The best sessions usually happen when families just go about their day. Everyday routines give me more than enough to work with.

3. They let the kids be kids

No need to stress about perfect behavior. Tantrums, giggles, messes—those are part of your family’s real story, and they make for honest photos.

4. They wear what feels normal

Matching outfits aren’t necessary. The families who feel most comfortable usually wear whatever they’d put on for a normal day at home.

5. They embrace the mess

A lived-in space is part of your family’s story. Toys on the floor, dishes in the sink—it’s all real, and it’s all worth remembering.

6. They trust the process

The more families trust me to do my job, the more they can relax. I’ll handle the camera, the light, the angles—you just live your life.

7. They focus on each other, not the camera

The families who get the most meaningful photos are the ones who forget I’m there and just connect with each other.

Final thought

Relaxed sessions happen when families let go of societal pressure to be perfect. The result isn’t staged or polished—it’s real and unique to them. And that’s what makes the photos so valuable.