How to prepare for a photoshoot – documentary style!

“Preparing to take candid photos” sounds like a giant contradiction but we’re all conditioned to perform for a camera (chin up, tilt hip, etc etc). So a few pointers to help us relax and lean in can’t hurt!

1. What to wear

Wear what you want!

Documentary family photography is about capturing your life as it really is so dress however you normally would for the day ahead, even if I wasn’t coming over. Dress for the activity – galoshes if its raining, flip flops if its summer, pajamas if we’re making pancakes, matching PJs if its the holidays! Wear what brings you joy and makes you feel like your most authentic self.

Let the kids choose what they wear, especially if you hate the choice: Crocs with socks, her favorite “evening” tiara, the soccer jersey. You’ll miss it all someday when they dress like an average adult so let’s capture the fashion du jour before it’s gone!

Yes, you might get some grief from your mother in law about the clothing choices…

But this is your life we’re celebrating and not anyone else’s vision of what it ought to be.

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2. Slow down and let it happen

If you’re accustomed to the rigors of a mini shoot, you’ll feel the itch to move the action along – but we don’t have to pack it all into 30 minutes or less. Slow down, let sequences unfold and make space for everyday magic to happen… You don’t have to entertain the camera or the photographer, just let actions evolve. If you’re worried about how this works, scroll down here for ideas or follow me on IG to see more.

3. Don’t worry about whether its “photo-worthy”

If you’ve been taught that its the backdrop, clothing or other details that makes a “good” family photo, its understandable that you might worry about a messy background or other vulnerable, strange moments. Trust your photographer to see beauty where most people don’t – that’s exactly why you hired us! We can’t wait to show you that it was never the external things that made your pictures good, it has always been you, your relationships and your family.

4. If you’re getting focused on the camera, shift your focus to someone else

Can’t stop looking at the camera? Join the club, we’ve been programmed to look and smile when we know we’re being photographed. Try this instead: if you find yourself camera aware, turn your attention towards someone in the group. Ruffle his hair, whisper in her ear, watch your spouse as they parent tenderly. Tell someone you love them. Be amazed.

5. Let the kids….

Don’t you think its odd that, in traditional family photos with our kids, we put a stop to childish behavior and childish things? In other words, its far more common to dress children like small adults, make them leave their toys in the car and encourage them to “behave”. Documentary style photography invites childhood back into the frame so let them wear the hat with the dino ridges, let them play with their toys, jump on the bed, get dirty on the playground – its all on the table! Documentary work is all about letting children be children. If you can, let your inner child out to play too…

6. Welcome all the emotions

“Happy” is usually the only emotion invited to a family photo shoot. We’ve all seen Inside Out, Joy is great! But if other emotions show up, make room for them and address them as you would if there wasn’t a shoot in progress. If someone is clingy, hold them. If they are sad, comfort them. If they are angry, help them regulate and solve their problem. The opportunity to document you as you parent is welcome here and far more beautiful than you know.

7. Let yourself be surprised

If you were going the ordinary route you could pretty much guess what your photos were going to look like before you got them back, right? Let yourself be surprised by the story your photographer tells. And most of all, believe what you see – your everyday life together really is amazing just the way it is.

Does this look like the kind of shoot for you and your family? Reach out here to take the first step: let’s figure out how this can look for you!