When a client reaches out asking for a documentary family photography session, it tells me right away that we’re aligned on what matters. We both value the kind of family photos you’ll actually pass down. After thousands of sessions across all kinds of families and homes, I can say with confidence that these are the ones that matter most to document.
This lovely family reached out requesting an Irvine documentary family photography session. Mom was fully invested in learning how to prepare. After a previous family photography experience that hadn’t quite hit the mark, I was so glad to give them something that felt natural, in the moment, and true to how their family actually lives.
With an active eighteen-month-old at home, I gave the same advice I give every family with a toddler this age. I suggested that they stay curious with them and follow their lead. Also, I told them to pick one or two activities you want documented. A two-hour documentary session worked perfectly here. Since it gave us time to slow down, we captured their favorite moments both inside and outside the home. And, I arrived a few minutes early to walk through the house. This allowed me to scope out the rooms I knew would photograph beautifully.
How to prepare for an at-home family photography session
I told Mom the best way to prep was simply to tidy up like guests were coming over. My camera stays focused on your family as you move through your day. However, it’s still worth making sure you’re happy with how your home shows up in the background. These photos become the keepers of your at-home memories, too.
We started downstairs in the entryway, where a large mirror gave us one of my favorite moments of the day. Babies love looking at themselves and making silly faces, and this mom-and-daughter exchange was so sweet to catch. Mom also wanted to document snack time and prepping food together in the kitchen. Her daughter likes to be close to her at all times. Sound familiar? The light in her daughter’s room was so beautiful that I insisted we grab a few playful photos there too.
This family also had a park just outside their door, so we closed out the session with some joyful moments there. At this age, toddlers are silly, always moving, and always ready to play. That’s exactly what makes these sessions so fun to document.
If you’re picturing this for your own family, the mirror moments, the snack-time sweetness, the sunlight in your kid’s room that you keep meaning to capture, I’d love to hear from you. I’m currently booking documentary family sessions in Irvine and the surrounding Orange County areas. I’d be happy to walk you through how to prepare for one, room by room, kid by kid. So, reach out through my contact page and let’s talk about what a couple of hours in your own home could look like, memories included.
