Who has the time?

Why Documentary Sessions Are Great for Busy Families

A mother leans on the wall in exhaustion after putting her kids to bed.

In the whirlwind of daily life, busy families often juggle countless responsibilities, leaving little time for planning and organizing family photoshoots. From work commitments to school activities, it's normal for everyday family moments to go by undocumented and likely forgotten.

However, there's a solution that fits the hectic lifestyles of modern families: documentary family photography.

A mother watches her husband embrace their young son.

Here are two reasons why it’s a great solution:

1. Convenience: “Ugh, should we just do a 15-minute ‘mini session?’”

No.

When time is short, committing to a family photoshoot can feel daunting. So you might think, “Great, I’ll do a ‘mini session’ then, problem solved.” These sessions can be even more stressful than the typical one-hour sessions traditional photographers provide. For one thing, you only get 15 minutes—cue the cortisol level increase. You may wonder, “What if my kids don’t cooperate in those 15 minutes? Will we even get a good photo? Is it worth the hassle of getting everyone ready and in place, on time, just for 15 minutes? All for one ‘perfect’ photo??”

Documentary family photography takes the stress out of the equation by focusing on capturing natural, candid moments as they unfold. There's no need to coordinate outfits, find the perfect location, or get everyone to smile for the camera. Instead, you can relax and enjoy spending time with your family as I photograph genuine moments of connection and joy. Whew. 

A girl blows bubbles while her mother gets a kiss from the dog.

It turns out most kids (and most parents, for that matter) don’t like to smile on demand. People need to be comfortable and have a good time to genuinely portray the emotions of having a good time. So, do yourself a favor. Let go of the expectations of looking “perfect” and embrace everything about your family. Spend time with your family and have those moments professionally documented. Easy peasy.

A mother and her son.

2. Authenticity: “It's OK, I have so many photos on my phone.”

In a world where smartphone cameras are always at our fingertips, relying on quick snapshots to capture family memories is tempting. Don’t get me wrong, phones are super convenient for taking a quick photo of anything. But is the same method of taking pictures of that dresser you’re selling on Craigslist the best way to preserve your family’s memories? Maybe not. Also, chances are, you’re not a photographer. There’s no need to put more on your plate. With documentary photos, you can just be yourself. 

And in case it wasn’t obvious, there’s someone critically missing from all these phone photos — you! Do you wish you had more pictures of your parents when they were young parents themselves? I’ll bet you do, and so will your own children. Don’t rely on selfies. Selfies are a convenient trend that won’t stand the test of time like documentary photography has and will continue to do.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the plunge. Do life differently.

A father catches his son while teaching him to swim.