Breaking the Mold: Why Traditional Posed Photos Aren’t for Every Family
Let’s face it—traditional posed family photos can be a bit, well, awkward. Think stiff smiles, unnatural poses, and the stress of getting everyone to cooperate. If you’ve ever tried to corral a toddler, a teenager, and a reluctant spouse into a perfect shot, you know what I’m talking about. Enter documentary family photography: a breath of fresh air that captures your family in its natural, chaotic, and beautiful state.
Summary:
- Embracing Authenticity: Capturing Real Moments
- Say Goodbye to Stress: No More Forced Smiles
- The Beauty of Imperfection: Celebrating the Chaos
- Reliving the Everyday: Finding Magic in the Mundane
- Making Memories Last: Timeless Over Timed
- How to Prepare for a Documentary Family Photography Session
- Real-life Examples: Success Stories
- Conclusion: Dare to Be Different
- Embracing Authenticity: Capturing Real Moments
There’s something magical about candid moments. They capture the essence of who we are, without the pretense. Documentary family photography is all about embracing authenticity. It’s about capturing those little moments that make your family unique—the way your child laughs, the look of concentration on their face as they play, the loving glance between partners.
Why Authenticity Matters
- True Reflection: Documentary photography reflects your family’s true personality and dynamics, not some idealized version of it.
- Emotional Connection: Authentic photos evoke stronger emotions and connections because they’re real and relatable.
Take a moment to think about your favourite family memories. Are they the ones where everyone is perfectly posed and dressed to the nines? Or are they the candid moments, the ones where someone is mid-laugh, eyes crinkled with joy? That’s the beauty of documentary photography—it captures the moments that matter most.
2. Say Goodbye to Stress: No More Forced Smiles
One of the biggest perks of documentary family photography is the lack of pressure. No need to dress up in matching outfits (unless that’s your thing) or worry about getting everyone to sit still. You get to be yourselves, doing what you love, in the comfort of your own home or favourite outdoor spot.
Stress-Free Sessions
- Comfort Zones: Photos are taken in familiar environments, making everyone feel more relaxed.
- Natural Interactions: Capturing genuine interactions means no awkward poses or forced smiles—just pure, unfiltered joy.
Picture this: instead of spending hours trying to get your toddler to smile for the camera, you’re playing in the backyard, everyone is relaxed, and the photographer is capturing the real essence of your family. It’s less “say cheese” and more “let’s make memories.”
3. The Beauty of Imperfection: Celebrating the Chaos
Life isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Documentary family photography celebrates the chaos—the messy hair, the mismatched socks, the silly faces. These imperfections are what make your family uniquely yours.
Imperfection is Perfect
- Real Life: Photos that capture the everyday messiness are more meaningful and relatable.
- Memorable Moments: The candid, imperfect moments often end up being the most cherished.
Think about it: the photo of your kid with ice cream smeared all over their face is probably way more fun and memorable than a stiff portrait. It’s these imperfect moments that tell the real story of our lives. And let’s be honest, who has time to be perfect anyway?
4. Reliving the Everyday: Finding Magic in the Mundane
We often think that only special occasions are worth photographing, but there’s magic in the everyday moments too. Documentary family photography highlights the beauty of daily life—breakfast time, playtime, bedtime stories. These are the moments that truly define our lives.
Everyday Magic
- Daily Rituals: Capturing daily routines creates a rich tapestry of memories.
- Small Details: The little things, like a child’s favourite toy or the way they hold your hand, are captured forever.
Imagine flipping through a photo album and seeing the simple, everyday moments that made up your life. The morning snuggles, the chaos of getting ready for school, the quiet moments of reading together. These are the memories that matter most, and documentary photography makes sure they’re never forgotten.
5. Making Memories Last: Timeless Over Timed
Traditional posed photos can sometimes feel dated. Documentary family photography, on the other hand, has a timeless quality. By focusing on genuine moments and emotions, these photos remain relevant and cherished for years to come.
Timeless Appeal
- Classic Moments: Genuine interactions never go out of style.
- Everlasting Memories: These photos become treasured keepsakes that capture the essence of your family’s story.
Think about the classic photos you’ve seen of your grandparents or parents—those candid shots that capture a real moment in time. They’re timeless because they’re real. Documentary photography ensures your family’s story is captured in the same timeless way.
6. How to Prepare for a Documentary Family Photography Session
So, you’re ready to break the mold and try documentary family photography. Great choice! But how do you prepare for a session that’s all about being natural and spontaneous?
Tips for a Successful Session
- Be Yourself: The best thing you can do is relax and be yourself. The goal is to capture real moments, not staged ones.
- Wear What You Want: No need to choose matching outfits, let everyone wear what they’re comfortable in.
- Choose a Familiar Setting: Pick a location where your family feels comfortable, whether it’s your home, a favourite park, or a beloved hangout spot.
- Engage in Activities: Do something you enjoy together—baking cookies, playing games, going for a walk. These activities will create natural interactions to be captured.
- Consider Me Your Friend Coming to Hang Out: I always ask clients to just tell their kids that a friend is coming over to hang out. I tell these same clients to think of me as an old friend or a cousin where I just tag along for the day, you don’t need to ignore me but you also don’t need to entertain me.
Remember, the whole point of documentary family photography is to capture your family’s authentic story. So, have fun with it and let your true selves shine through.
7. Real-life Examples: Success Stories
Need some convincing? Let’s look at some real-life examples of families who embraced documentary photography and loved the results.
The Colgan Family
The Colgans decided to document a typical Saturday at home. The moment I walked in the house and heard Michael Jackson blaring from the speakers, I knew we were going to have an amazing time. From pancake breakfasts to Lego in the living room, then backyard soccer and a bike ride up and down the street, their photos captured the essence of their family life. They now have a beautiful album filled with real, heartfelt moments.
The Fistric Family
The Fistrics wanted to capture their family’s love for the outdoors while also capturing the home and neighbourhood where they live. As their photographer, I spent the day with them talking the dogs out for a walk around the neighbourhood and then backyard fun like ice cream and slip ‘n slide, capturing moments of laughter, exploration, and togetherness. The result? Stunning photos that reflect their adventurous spirit.
The Milan Family
The Milan chose to document their family’s bedtime routine shortly after they moved into their new home. While we started with everyone in the kitchen making homemade pasta, we finished off with photos of storytime, cuddles, and goodnight kisses which are now some of their most treasured memories.
These families embraced the authenticity and spontaneity of documentary photography, and the results speak for themselves. Their photos are not just pictures; they’re stories filled with love, laughter, and real-life moments.
8. Conclusion: Dare to Be Different
Traditional posed family photos have their place, but if you’re looking for something different, documentary family photography is worth considering. It’s about capturing the real, the raw, and the beautiful moments that make your family unique.
Join the community of families who value authenticity and cherish the beauty of everyday moments.
Related Posts
Whether you're gifting to a friend who’s a shutterbug, a...
Let's face it—traditional posed family photos can be a bit,...
Moms are usually behind the camera, but who's capturing you?...
If you wait for everything to be ‘just right’ before...
OH HEY!
Once a month I send a fun email with quirky musings and “insider” specials. Join us!
Paula Gerein Photography
Documentary photography for families and businesses of Edmonton and Central Alberta, Canada. Available for travel.
© Paula Gerein Photography 2024
All rights reserved.