The sessions are long but the years are short | What to expect

"She had us go about our regular day (which we were still figuring out!!) and took beautiful photos of moments I didn't even know would be photo worthy." - Rachel

Last week I asked past and current clients some questions about my photography services. As one of the few documentary family and newborn photographers in the San Francisco area, I want to make sure that I'm communicating the value of my work correctly.Responses to these two questions in particular gave so much insight into how parents feel about long family sessions versus the short ones they are used to:

What holds you back from booking a four hour session?

What holds you back from booking a full day session (Day In The Life)?

The answers to these questions fell into three different camps: cost, time constraints, and not being interesting enough. Postponing a long session because of cost is understandable – sometimes other things are higher on the priority list than family photographs. But I want to talk about the other two concerns that came up a bit more in-depth:

1. Time constraints and routines

Concerns: Committing to such a long chunk of time for a family session is hard. Keeping kids happy that long is impossible, babies get frustrated. The kids need naps, and time to eat. These answers made me realize that I need to do a better job at explaining what happens during documentary newborn and family sessions. Because the pictures are meant to be a record of what your life is like, there is absolutely zero need to organize your schedule around a session, let alone shop for matching outfits or put on makeup even. Whether you choose a regular weekday or a lazy Sunday, you can go about your day as you normally would. I promise, the regular things are worth documenting:

PJs are allowed

Most of the time, families ask me to come to their house around the time when they’re waking up. It’s a time of day when everyone knows the routines to follow, which makes them less concerned with the camera.

Naps are taken – no matter your age

I’m starting to lose track of how often I tell parents that naps are ok and expected – especially when I stay with them all day and they have young kids.

Bellies get filled

I know that taking pictures while people eat isn’t always their favorite thing – but it does make for some fun photos quite often.

Tantrums and meltdowns go hand-in-hand with parenting

When I say all real life is welcome, I really mean it.

Sometimes families have places to go

Families often remember to take photos of their kiddos when they go out and do something special – but it can be hard to take good pictures while you’re also the one responsible for your kiddos.

Baths and showers are taken, teeth are brushed, and kids are put to bed

The second-most booked session time that families request is during evening routines. It’s usually a time with plenty of different little things happening, mixed with tender moments.

"She captured magical moments of my children living their lives; playing together, laughing, crying--moments that I'm usually unaware of or so entrenched in that I don't get to really see them."  - Alexis

A giant benefit to long sessions is the amount of trust that is built up between the kids and me.

At the start of the session/day, I may not have as much "access" to their regular behavior yet. It takes a while before they realize that they can go about their day as they normally would. I did a maternity session with a family of 5 very recently, and it was around the 4-hour mark before the oldest kid of the family felt comfortable snuggling up to mom, stroking her belly – the ONE photo I had been waiting for all day!

2. Worries that the family's everyday isn't interesting enough

Concerns: A long session would have to be a very special occasion. We are too boring.

This makes me incredibly sad, because I believe from the core of my everything that there is nothing as interesting as real life. Most of your kids' memories happen in your everyday life at home. Anything that a photographer could direct will never compare to real moments that happen within a family. Some moments are intense and emotional, some are hard, some are happy, and some are so hilarious there just aren't any words to describe them.

"She managed to do something I never expected anyone to be able to do. She captured the love, tenderness, and bond that we as a family feel so strongly." - Katri

Documentary family photography isn’t about being interesting for the outside world's benefit – and certainly not for the photographer's.

It’s about savoring this time in your life and making sure the kiddos have those memories to look back on later.

If you'd like to talk about a documentary session of your own, shoot me a message through my contact page.