Booking a family photo session sounds straightforward, but there could be a whole myriad of thoughts that might run through your mind before settling on a professional photographer. So, I want to make it easy and relaxed, so you can enjoy and have fun in your photo session and show that you have made the right choice in your photographer (aka me!) every time you return to your photos. 

“Diana has a very gentle approach during the session and we hardly knew she was there, which helped us to feel relaxed and meant that she was able to get some lovely natural shots.” - Christine M.

At this time, more than ever, you want to remember all the special moments you’ve spent with your kids, spouse, or grandparents. The little funny habits, personalities, the things that drive you crazy and also love to bits. You want to feel their presence long after the moments have passed. And you realise that the mundane, normal everyday is beautiful too. Well, if you didn’t then you will know after a few years. When the toddler that barely reached the worktop on her tippy toes now leans down to give you a kiss. 

Documentary Family Photography gives you that mirror into your normal everyday life and captures all the real moments that are meaningful, giving your children and your children’s children lasting memories of who they are in their family photos.

What is Documentary Family Photography?

There is no photography checklist or Pinterest ideas of what your family photos should look like from a documentary family session. If what you are looking for are “picture-perfect” clean photos, then perhaps you might be interested in reading this guide about the different types of family photography.

In reality, life is far more gloriously messy. And as a mother and photographer, I can relate to all the highs and lows of family life while recognising that each family is uniquely different, but also intrinsically the same. 

Documentary family photography is a “moment-driven” storytelling approach to family photos capturing the connection and bond of your family in an everyday setting, without posing or intervention. I capture real moments as they naturally unfold to give you artful and meaningful photos that truly tells your story, at this current stage in your life. 

Top tips for a great documentary family photo session

If the above sounds like what you are after and you love moment-driven family photos, then here are my top tips to having the most amazing documentary family session:

1. Let the unscripted everyday magic happen

Believe it or not, documentary family photography is about the celebration of you and your family and the connections you have with each other than how something looks. I always aim to capture the feelings and create a visual time capsule of moments that you would never get back or otherwise are easily forgotten. The little details you want to remember.

It is why it does not matter if your child insists on wearing their favourite T-rex top or tutu or if they want to stay in their pyjamas in their home session (adults take note this applies to you too!). I capture all of those details, without judgement. Don’t worry if there is mess lying around. Let’s treat the day like a normal everyday one and focus on the love and life in the moment — the unscripted magic will naturally happen! 

2. Bust the myth of “our everyday is boring”

I already said that there’s no shot list when it comes to documentary family photos. Normally we’ll go with the flow, so your session is natural and relaxed as possible. But, I would encourage you to discuss with your partner or get the kids together to come up with a mental list of the things you love about your family and the everyday activities you like to do together. Like dancing around in the kitchen or rolling up your sleeves and setting up your own home bake-off challenge! Don’t let a trip to the shops or playing in the park go amiss either. 

What are the things you want to remember of your family life now? Let’s start from there and I promise you’ll be so busy with these activities and each other that you’ll be amazed at all the tiny moments I capture in your normal everyday.

3. Slow down and make time

A documentary family session is an opportune moment to slow down and spend special time with your family. Although we tend to think that only the big milestones need to be in pictures and have in the album, your everyday is photo-worthy too and deserves to be celebrated! 

So, give yourself this time and think of the all the memories you want to feel and relive in your photos. I spend time with you — 2, 4, or 10 hours in a ‘day-in-your-life’ session — whatever you need to make sure those real moments and connections are captured. I’ll also make time for everyone to ease into the session and not rush in immediately to shoot. We can put on a kettle and chat over a cup of tea at the beginning of the session while we wait for everybody to feel settled. I promise that your session will be easy and stress-free meaning any discomfort will soon go away.

4. Let the kids be kids

A child’s personality shines best when they are free to be themselves and that’s what my documentary family session aims to give. I don’t direct anything and don’t expect children to be on their best behaviour. We can let candid moments happen organically, which means kids can be playful, silly, funny, sad and frustrated. And older children will be happy to get in the frame as there is no pressure to perform. We’ll embrace the beauty in the chaos. 

5. Photographs with you included (yes, you!) 

Let me say that these family photos that we’ll make are not just for today, but for future generations to see their family history. My photography is for those who want to be able to transport themselves back in time to one particular moment. And that means you are all going to be in your photos. I want you to feel seen and celebrate who you are. I capture the human love and emotions so you can feel the moment rather than focus on how you look. You will feel your own story simply by being present in the photos. 

A little further note on this. Documentary family portraits are different from lifestyle or traditional portraits. About 98% of the time is dedicated to capturing all the natural and unposed moments during the session. I’ll do my best to capture you all together in one place, but if it doesn’t happen naturally, then I’ll make a little time to gather everyone together for a group photo. The majority of the time will be about having fun and making those moment-driven and emotion-filled photos that celebrate who you are.

“You really captured the essence of our family in a beautiful and unique way and I will treasure our photos for years to come.” - Tamsin D.

Sounds good? Then, let’s make plans about having your documentary family photo session HERE.

Diana Hagues Photography is an international award-winning documentary family photographer based in Cambridgeshire. Diana specialises in creating natural, candid and emotive storytelling family photos through her day-in-the-life and family storytelling sessions. Gift vouchers for family sessions are available to make lovely gifts for family, friends and relatives.