How to prepare your family for a documentary photography session (spoiler - no prep needed!)
What? No preparation at all?
Documentary family photography isn’t about perfect poses or matching outfits—it’s about real life, as it is right now. Preparation doesn’t mean priming your children for the session or dressing up; it’s about creating a space where your family feels comfortable, relaxed, and free to be yourselves.
What clothes should I wear?
Wear what you love
The best outfits are the ones you feel good in and that make you comfortable. If your child insists on wearing their superhero costume, or if your toddler loves bright leggings with dinosaurs, that’s perfect. These quirks are part of your family’s story.
Bright patterns and colours are welcome
Unlike traditional photography, documentary sessions don’t shy away from bold choices. If you enjoy wearing bright colours and playful patterns these can add energy and personality to your images. They also reflect who you are and my sessions are all about that. No matching beige outfits needed!
Pyjamas count too
Some of the most meaningful sessions I’ve photographed have started with families in their pyjamas, just doing breakfast together and then getting dressed for the day (with kids choosing their own outfits). These are real moments that tell your story better than anything “staged.”
What is the best time of day?
The best time for a session is when your family feels most at ease. I love the morning for a 3 hour session as energy levels are great and morning routines are fun. But it is up to you and depends on your life, what works best for you as a family, and what part of the day you want to capture. Some clients chose “day in the life” sessions where you get morning and evening routines and everything in between!
Preparing kids and pets
Kids don’t need to sit still or smile on command. In fact, the fun happens when they can just be themselves. A few tips:
Tell them a photographer/ friend is coming to “hang out,”.
Let them play, run, and be silly - these are the moments you’ll treasure.
Pets are part of the family story too. Whether it’s a dog joining a walk or a cat snoozing on the sofa, they are a great part of any session.
What if my kids have a meltdown or have a potty training accident, etc?
Don’t worry about accidents, meltdowns, tantrums, mess... This is all part of the chaos of family life and my mission is to show you that it is all beautiful and meaningful (although it sometimes might not feel like it in the moment). All that hard work and care that you put in deserves to be seen and remembered. Also, the times when things don’t go exactly to plan are some of the most priceless!
Final thoughts
The beauty of documentary family photography lies in its honesty. Whether your family is messy, colourful, chaotic, or calm (or all of these!?) those moments deserve to be remembered just as they are.
If you’d like to see what a session could look like for your family, take a peek at my family photography portfolio, a featured family shoot or get in touch to start planning your own story.
