+ We're kind of boring. What would you photograph?

My favorite part of family sessions is holding up a mirror to the family's life to show them how special it actually is. The session doesn't need to be about doing specific activities; this documentary shoot is meant to highlight the connections and interactions between family members and the daily routines are simply vessels for these natural moments to occur and to tell the true story of the family at this particular moment in their lives. Know that a documentary photo session doesn't have to be an action movie! You know those moments that you glance over from the kitchen at the kids playing and feel that all is right in the world? Or when you just prevailed over a massive toddler tantrum and feel like you deserve a badge of honor? Or when you catch a whiff of your baby's milky sleepy breath and breathe in deep? We all know these everyday moments, and none of them are boring. They're all little pieces that will go into your family's visual time capsule.

+ My house is too messy! There's no way I'll be able to Konmari before a photo session.

HA! My house is too messy too! I cleaned up like crazy when I had my own family documented and realized that my kid was really into helping me sweep and vacuum & I didn't get any photos of him actually cleaning up. Leave your house in whatever state it’s in! Remember that the session is about the moments/interactions between your family, and not an interior design shoot :) Have you ever heard of scruffy hospitality? You can just pretend that your sister or best friend is coming over. No need to dust or do all the dishes, but you might wanna throw out the poopy diapers ;)

+ Does the photo session have to happen in our house?

Yes and not necessarily… your session should occur in a place that is particularly meaningful to your family. Home is usually where the heart and soul of the family are, but I have followed families everywhere from sports practice, orchestra rehearsal, grocery run, beach playgrounds, on a hike, in the pool, etc etc.

+ I/my husband/my kids hate having photos taken. Are you just going to stare at us? Will this be awkward?

So if you've had a chance to read through my Google reviews, the main theme is that most of my clients have said that I put them at ease or make them feel at home (I should hope so! I was literally in their houses!). I’ll be alternating between being a photo ninja (I will be following you with a camera as inconspicuously as possible, and be in funny positions like laying on the floor or standing on chairs) and a friend with a camera, hanging out with you, chatting, or resting in social silence while you carry on with your day as usual.

+ I still haven't lost the baby weight.. I should wait, shouldn't I?

I haven’t lost my baby weight either… can we be friends that don’t look at each others’ waistlines? You have friends like that I hope! But in all honestly… 6 months is nearly half of baby’s life during that first year, and I know she is doing things right now that are making you laugh and cry and need to be remembered before she no longer does them any more. Hold fast to the idea that you deserve to be in your family’s photos rather than always the one behind the camera or the phone. (This is the speech I had to tell myself when I was in the thick of postpartum hair loss and of course had to be in family photos!)

+ What if my kids don’t behave?

Rubs hands gleefully then you will have AMAZING photos to use for blackmail later, ahem... I mean you will look like an utter champ. Or, know that documentary sessions are long enough that kids will usually come around! At this point, I’ve photographed almost 300 families and I have seen it all. You aren’t the only one who will have a kid have a public outburst, and I will be the absolute LAST person to judge you (as I photograph it all for posterity, of course). Relax! Children tend to follow their parents' lead and if you feel stressed or nervous they may feel a lot of pressure. There is absolutely no need to tell the kids to smile or to look at the camera (and even during the portrait portion, please leave that up to me! I can't tell you how many times I have photos of the kids smiling and parents' mouths moving because they are worried about the kids' behavior).

+ Can we get a photo where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling?

Yes! Don’t worry - I will make sure you get a couple of portraits either at the very beginning or sometime in the middle of the session when everyone is good and comfortable.