DOCUMENTARY FAMILY SESSION GUIDE
day in the life
session guide
I have to start by saying I’m absolutely STOKED you are here.
Documentary photography is honestly where my heart has been for YEARS. But… I’ve always been afraid.
Afraid people wouldn’t get it.
Afraid people wouldn’t book.
But I couldn’t keep ignoring my heart and I know the world needs more photography like this.
I always say pictures have power. And documentary pictures have extra power because they’re real. Not dressed up or overly edited. Not styled and carefully contrived. Just you, your family, your home, your everyday.
I hope these pictures will someday become keepsakes, treasures, and heirlooms for your kids and grandkids. But even more than that I hope that they will show you the extraordinary beauty and magic that is your life.
xo
maren
In this Guide
Preparing for a documentary photo session is not like prepping for other photography sessions.
If this is your first experience, I don’t want you to feel lost.
If you’re a veteran, I don’t want you to forget anything or have any regrets.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know for your session.
I know it’s a lot of information, but I ask you to take the time to read every word. I promise the investment will be returned x100.
Let’s dive in!
“Our pictures were so beautiful I cried. I will cherish them forever!”
– Abby K.
hello there!
I’m Maren. Wife to Matt, mama to Emi, Harry Potter nerd, lover of jigsaw puzzles and cozy blankets, recovering perfectionist, and photography junkie.
See that picture over there? That’s baby me from sooooo many years ago… more importantly that’s the picture that started it all.
Growing up I was sure of one thing, I was fat… which was the same as ugly. That was how I saw myself… that is until this picture.
This was one of my senior portraits and when I saw it, for the first time I saw someone beautiful. It started me on a journey to self-love and acceptance. These pictures showed me a crucial and important truth I had been unable to see on my own.
Mama, my mission is to take photographs that will show you the crucial and important truths that are so easy to lose sight of as a mom.
Your truth.
Your story.
Photographs that will remind you who you are and help you reconnect with your people and purpose. And there is no better way than documentary photography.
I can’t wait to go on this journey with you.
Life is a beautiful kind of magic in itself
from start to finish
here's what to expect
1. BOOK YOUR SESSION
Check! If you’re reading this it means you’ve already successfully completed this step. Your session is on my calendar and its time to dive in and plan the details of your session.
2. PREPARE YOUR FAMILY
More than likely, a documentary session will be a brand new experience for your family. Not only do they not have to dress up or pose, they shouldn’t even look at the camera! I’ll dive deeper into this later on in this guide, but spend some time “unschooling” your spouse and kids about family pictures.
3. PRE-SESSION CONSULTATION
2-3 weeks before your session we’ll meet (virtually) for a pre-session consultation. During this call we’ll dive a little deeper into your session, go over prepping your family, and walk through some of the things I can expect during your session (ex. morning routine, farm chores, grocery shopping, family dinner, etc.) Keep your eye out for an email to schedule.
4. YOUR SESSION LIFE
That’s it. Live your life. I’ll be there, a fly on the wall.
5. BEHIND THE SCENES MAGIC
This is the part where I select the images from your session that best tell your story. Then I’ll do a little editing magic, staying true to the moments and feeling of the day.
6. SESSION DELIVERY
No more than 28 business days from your session you’ll receive a link to your online gallery. I hope you’ll pause to gather your family and click through your images for the first time together. Not going to lie… I hope you cry. 😉 Download your digital images, order artwork for your home, share with family and friends, and cherish for years to come.
“I never thought family pictures could be like this.It was a truly magical experience!”
– Maile K.
prep for
A DAY IN THE LIFE
What do you do to prepare for tomorrow? Do that.
Okay maybe it’s not quite that simple, but if you start feeling overwhelmed, pause, take a breath, and remind yourself it’s just another day in your life.
However, while the goal is to capture a day in your life as real and authentically as possible, we want it to be your best day.
The next few sections will walk you through preparing your partner, kids, teens, wardrobe, and home to help the day and session go smoothly.
consider going
technology free
I’ve long held to this idea that if you don’t like someone, you probably just don’t know them well enough yet.
To know, truly know, someone’s story is to love them.
I’d apply the same logic to documentary family photography. If you’re skeptical, you don’t understand it yet.
Take the time to turn your partner into a fan. Explain the philosophy. Explain why it’s important to you. Explain what you hope these pictures will show and become.
Show them some examples and then assure them that they don’t have to do anything but show up and go about their day.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
— Mae West
prep your partner
make them a fan
I’ve long held to this idea that if you don’t like someone, you probably just don’t know them well enough yet.
To know, truly know, someone’s story is to love them.
I’d apply the same logic to documentary family photography. If you’re skeptical, you don’t understand it yet.
Take the time to turn your partner into a fan. Explain the philosophy. Explain why it’s important to you. Explain what you hope these pictures will show and become.
Show them some examples and then assure them that they don’t have to do anything but show up and go about their day.
prep your kids
give them permission
Anytime I pull out my camera, my 10-month-old stops doing whatever cute thing I was trying to capture and makes a B-line for my lap.
It’s so frustrating! As cute as she is crawling as fast as she can to see what mom’s doing, I have to be fast or I completely miss the moment.
While there’s not much I can do about it… she’s 10-months-old after all… I’m guessing your kids have been trained to react to cameras in certain ways; namely to stop and smile.
“Society has trained all of us humans that the world stops for a photograph … That’s horribly hard for documentary photographers because we want the world to forget about us.” – Tyler Wirken, documentary wedding photographer
Give your kids permission to ignore the camera.
Just like with your spouse, help them catch the vision by explaining what’s going to happen, why I’ll be there and what I’ll be doing, why pictures like this are important to you and what you hope they’ll mean to them someday.
Most importantly, give them permission to be themselves, play hard, get messy and have feelings.
What if one or more of my kids is a ham?
Don’t worry, these sessions are designed for enough time and space for the hammy-ness to wear.
And if they can go all day don’t worry, I’m really good at catching the in between moments.
Besides… if they’re really that much of a ham, isn’t that your real and authentic anyways?
prep your (pre)teens
validate and reassure
The preteen and teenage years can be an especially vulnerable time, especially when it comes to photography. In my experience, this is when kids are at their most vulnerable and self-conscious.
Just like with young kids and your partner, spend the time helping your teen understand the process and hopeful outcome. Make it person by letting them know the things you’re hoping to see of them in the pictures and why they’re meaningful to you.
If they’re hesitant or even outright rebellious, take the time to listen, understand, and validate their concerns. Maybe they just don’t want any pictures before their up and ready for the day, listen and choose a time that respects that boundary for them.
Reassure them that they don’t have to to acknowledge me or even be polite around me. Give them permission to be 100% themselves.
And please pass on my promise to them: I promise to photograph them and their story with beauty and dignity while respecting their boundaries (ex. not before makeup, no pictures of them eating, etc.)
prep your wardrobe
What to Wear
Real means real. No need to buy a special outfit or coordinate with your kids. Wear what you’d normally wear around the house on a day you’re going to have company.
This might look like ripped jeans and a t-shirt or blouse for women, and a t-shirt and jeans for men.
I recommend not having logos or characters on any clothing as they tend to draw the attention away from whoever is wearing them.
NO MATCHING! Or even coordinating colors. The only exception is twins. You can let your twins match if they usually do. Or if we’re headed to a zoo/theme park and you typically match as a family in crowded areas.
prep your home
Messes Welcome
Please don’t feel the need to deep clean your house. Remember the whole point is for these pictures to feel real.
That being said, things tend to go smoother when we start with a generally straightened slate. Again, prep your home like you would if you were having CASUAL company. (It’s in bold cuz I mean it. Casual as in your friend is coming over, not you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner).
Deal with the pile of mail, clear clutter off counters and other flat surfaces, start the day with an empty sink. Etc.
Then relax and let life happen. During your session, let things pile up like they normally would. Backpacks on the floor. Dishes in the sink. Crumbs on the floor.
When it comes to your home I make the same promise to you that I make to teens. I promise to document your home with beauty and dignity.
That being said, fair warning, I will assume that anything you leave out, you’re okay with be photographed. Not a fan of the pile of diapers on the changing table (oddly specific? yes this is a personal example 😅)? Get rid of it. Want to remember the 25 pacifiers in every room? Leave ’em!
prep yourself
choose real over perfect
Now that you’ve given everyone else permission to be themselves, I give you permission to do the same.
I give you permission to let go of any expectations and resolve to be 100% present for your family and let the day and the session unfold as naturally as possible.
Give yourself permission to embrace the chaos and imperfection of REAL. Give yourself permission to relax, have fun, and truly be together with your family.
“Maren captured all the wonderful feelings of family and my growing daughter. She blew my socks off, which truthfully isn’t easy.”
– Emily B.
pre-session consultation
PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER
About 3 weeks before your session you will receive an email from me to make an appointment for your pre-session consultation. It’s time to make a game plan.
The pre-session consultation will be over the phone or zoom
During the consultation, we’ll finalize any relevant plans for the day of your session. My arrival time, a general and vague outline of the day, and any logistics we may need to figure out (like if we’re going to the grocery store can I fit in your car or will I need to drive separate?).
Most importantly this will give us a chance to chat and get to know each other so you can be comfortable hanging out with me for a day.
My hope is these images will tell your truth. To accomplish that, I would be honored if you would trust me enough to be vulnerable and give me a peek into what’s going on in this chapter of your story.
Leading up to your consultation, I hope you’ll ponder these questions:
- What is your story?
- What do you hope these pictures say about this chapter?
- What do you hope they say about what you’ve gone through this year?
- What will help you feel seen?
As you ponder remember; the beauty of your story is in the struggle as much as the joy.
“Family is where today’s little moments become tomorrow’s precious memories.”
– Unknown
not your usual
house guest
During your documentary family session I wont be your usual house guest. Just so there are no surprises, here is what you can expect from me.
1. FOOD
For sessions longer than 4 hours, please plan on preparing an extra plate of food for me.
This allows me to match your rhythm and stay focused on capturing the moments.
Plus, if you have any kids that are food focused, I won’t distract them from other activities while trying to eat a snack.
2. I DRESS FOR COMFORT
I will probably show up in comfy clothes I can move in. I do a lot of sitting on the ground, crawling on floors, laying in the grass, and even climbing on top of furniture. Comfy clothes I can move in are integral to getting the shot!
3. I’M NOT A “POLITE” HOUSE GUEST
While I promise to be kind and courteous… polite, at least by the usual definition, I will not be. Rather than conforming to the usual standard of do’s and don’ts, I will be climbing on your furniture, invading your personal spaces, and getting up close and personal with my camera.
4. I’M NOT A BABYSITTER
If you leave your kids alone with me… I will take pictures of whatever happens. Drawing on the wall, jumping on the couch, or an all out wrestling match, I will not intervene.
The only exception is if I think something truly dangerous is about to happen.
5. LET’S BE FRIENDS
During out time together I fully expect to become friends. While life is happening, I might talk to you, just as a friend would while hanging out.
This will usually help everyone relax and forget what I’m up to, as well as give me clues about what to incorporate into your pictures.
“Maren always manages to make BOTH of us cry! We feel so blessed to know her and grateful for her ability to capture these moments for our family!” -Hannah B.
pre-session checklist
Right Now:
- BOOK SESSION
- REVIEW WELCOME & STYLE GUIDES
3 weeks out:
- Answer Pre-Consultation Questionnaires
- SCHEDULE CONSULTATION (wait for email)
- PRE-SESSION CONSULTATION
- General plan for the day
- Get to know each other
1-2 Weeks Out:
- Prep Your Partner & Kids
- Decide on and Prepare outfits for the day
- General house tidying
Day Of:
- Wake up
- Embrace the Chaos
- Live Life
The speed at which children grow up defies the laws of time.
bye for now
THANK YOU for reading to the end. I know it was a lot of information but hopefully you’re feeling confident in what’s coming and how we’re going to make your session MAGIC!
Talk soon!
xo
maren