Pick Your Family And Newborn Photographer Based On Their Style

I gotta be honest with you guys – I'm in a bit of a funk.A lot of people are scared of real life images – I think we have social media to thank for that. I know how you feel – I'm scared of photos too! But I prefer real life photos to posed ones, because I'm so much more relaxed if I don't have to look into the camera.Now let me explain my frustration – I live in San Francisco Bay Area, where people go to the grocery store in pajamas, attend fancy lunches in yoga leggings and head out to nice dinners in ragged t-shirts. But when it is time for a session with me in their own home, they get fancy – and that is not real!I also get super uncomfortable when kids are forced to smile or "behave" for photos – I've written a whole thing about this in an earlier post about photo sessions on kids' terms.What matters to me the most is that I get to give families images that are captured straight from real life. No posing, no color-coordinating outfits, no prompts. That is where I find meaning, that is what I find interesting, that is where I find the pull-at-your-heartstrings moments I want you to leave behind as photos for your kiddos.During my sessions, you get to spend quality time with your loved ones, interact naturally and sometimes even take a nap!What I'm saying is, it is important to choose your photographer based on their shooting style. For example I am terrible at planned group shots – the kids can sense I'm uncomfortable and thus will not look happy in the photos. Or they'll plaster on a forced smile – we've all seen that episode of Friends, right?I know wonderful photographers that I can recommend if you are looking for a less "real" but oh-so-heart-warming lifestyle newborn or family session. They specialize in bringing out the joy of childhood and parenthood, and capture that beautifully!I also know talented photographers that I can recommend if you are looking for stunning newborn or family sessions with props and poses.If you want to hang out with your family, do your regular thing, and not worry about getting your kiddos to behave for a photo session, I'm the right photographer for you. I will capture the good and the bad, the beautiful and the gritty, the laughs and the tantrums, the joy and the exhaustion – all that good stuff – which you'll be able to pass on to your kids and grandkids.This year has been about growth for me as a business owner but also as an artist, and I have decided I will only be booking 170% documentary sessions from now on. This is a crucial step in staying on track with where I want to take my art and my business.I have asked a few documentary family photographers to answer some questions about the work they do, and I'm excited to be posting what they've had to say in the next couple of months!