Planning a documentary family session might sound like a contradiction. Surely I just show up and start shooting, right? Not quite.
It starts with communication.
If you know me personally, you know I’m a chronic over-communicator. I love having a grasp on the specifics, and I think keeping people in the loop is genuinely important. So if you’re a brand new client, the first thing I’ll do is send you a welcome packet, ask about the session you have in mind, and make sure we’re aligned on the kind of work I do.
That last part matters more than it might seem. Nothing derails a documentary session faster than a client showing up expecting to be directed through every pose while I’m waiting for them to just… be themselves.
I need to know what to look for.
Even though I approach my sessions with a documentary slant, this is still a client-based service. Part of my job is finding the balance between telling the story I see unfolding in front of me and capturing the specific moments you actually want to remember. I’ve spent years learning how to find interesting moments and compelling compositions, but the goal is always to connect with what matters to your family specifically. I need to know what to watch for.
New clients fill out a short questionnaire before we meet. It’s nothing heavy, just some get-to-know-you basics. What does your family do on weekends? How would you describe your kids? That kind of thing. It gives me a foundation before we sit down for our pre-session meeting, where we get to know each other a bit and map out an activity or loose narrative for your session.
I’m always drawn to tender moments between family members. However, getting to know my clients’ personalities and quirks allows to watch for the specific details that show who someone really is and what it actually feels like to be part of this particular family.
We schedule carefully.
I shoot in natural light, which means I’m working with something entirely outside my control. I can make something meaningful in less-than-ideal light, but I’d rather not have to. Scheduling always involves a conversation about timing. How do we find the best balance between your family’s schedule and the available light.
If you have babies or young kids, I’ll do everything I can to work around nap times and bedtimes. I love a good grumpy-toddler photo as much as the next person, but I also know you don’t want an entire gallery of them.
For outdoor sessions around Kitsap County (a Kingston beach, a Poulsbo park, or somewhere in your own neighborhood) I’ll check the sun’s path for your location ahead of time to avoid harsh midday light or a tall tree line that might block too much sunlight. For indoor sessions, I’ll ask which rooms in your home get the best light and whether any get direct sun at certain times of day.
Preparation makes the session work.
There are no Pinterest mood boards here. No coordinating outfits, no scouted wildflower fields, no secret-location reveals. What goes into a lifestyle family photography session instead is relationship-building. I want to make sure that by the time we meet for our session, everyone feels comfortable, the activity makes sense for your family, and the only thing you have to do is show up and be yourselves.
That’s the whole plan. And it works.
If you’re thinking about booking a lifestyle or documentary family session in Kitsap County — whether you’re in Silverdale, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, or anywhere in between — I’d love to start the conversation. Reach out and tell me a little about your family. That’s always where we begin.
