Making moment-driven Cornwall family photos with the Coughlins got me thinking a lot about what this genre really means and what makes it different from others. Travis’s Mom hadn’t seen me at work before and commented at the end of the session that I “really allow lots of time”, which struck me as her being genuine and curious about what had just gone on. I’m sure it didn’t look like any photo session she’d seen before, and it was probably quite strange to see me kneeling in the flowerbeds or sprawled across her lawn.
In a time when people are becoming more familiar with lifestyle sessions (directed-but-candid photos of an activity), documentary family photography continues to remain a source of confusion for some people, so I thought I’d take a minute and share some info specific to documentary sessions with very young children. If you want to know about the documentary genre in general, including the ethics I abide by, you can head here.
I’ve often heard from new clients who connect with my work because they recognise that I’m into capturing moments. I also generally tell people that I try to create moment-driven work. But what is “moment-driven family photography”? What does moment-driven photography look like at different ages?
My family work, like my wedding work (excluding portraits in both cases), is undirected. I’m not telling you what to do, what lights to turn on or off, or asking you to repeat activities. Some people misunderstand this approach and think that it means “action shots.” The goal of my work is to move past the “doing” photos. I’m not just taking a photo of your child running; I’m trying to answer the question, “Why is she running?” or “How does it feel to run wild like that?”
In its best form, my documentary family work means that I’m capturing actions and reactions in the same photo so that you can understand the story without needing a caption. It’s a case of endlessly working on my sense of storytelling, understanding the timing that is needed to catch action at exactly the right time, and pulling together the right combination of photos so that you’re left with an impactful collection that cuts right to the heart of who your family is.
Making moment-driven Cornwall family photos, in my case, means that I watch and listen to what’s happening around me in an effort to begin to understand your family’s dynamic. I try to learn – as quickly as I can – who is the sensitive one; who is most likely to do a flying superhero jump off the back of the couch; who will quietly sneak off for a snack and then loudly spill the Goldfish crackers all over the floor.
For those who aren’t familiar, documentary newborn sessions are often a quieter experience, and this post sheds insight on what those can look like.
As your child grows from a newborn to a toddler, their one year session becomes more about moments of independence (if your little one is walking). A one year old is living a life full of quiet (and not-so-quiet) moments of discovery. Life at this age is full of new experiences, so documentary sessions are about catching those.
What does it feel like when they get sprayed by the hose? How peaceful is it to see them digging in the dirt with intense concentration? What do they think of the feel of grass or snow? You’re learning to take a step back and let your little one try new things, so these sessions are also about capturing that balance between providing support and safety, along with independence. Helping hands as she learns to feed herself; following along at a close distance when he climbs on the back of the tricycle in the most awkward way known to man.
Documentary family photos mean that I’m hunting for moments – actions, gestures, reactions, and expressions – that are unique to your family. Moments don’t just mean I’m shooting your family as you do things; I’m shooting exchanges and interactions that tell a story in each frame. Sometimes, these moments are loud and boisterous; other times, they’re pensive, thoughtful and quiet.
In the case of the Coughlins, my time with Sophie was filled with exploration. She’s not a loud personality, but she’s endlessly curious, so my challenge was capturing her quiet curiosity and the joy of discovery. She loves the woods; she loves seeing and touching new things. She’s the very embodiment of experiential living because, at that age, everything is new and exciting.
Travis and Katherine are, perhaps unsurprisingly, bursting with adoration for their inquisitive daughter. I loved listening to them tell me about her personality; how their voices would soften with laughter as they caught the look on her face when she held the hose or told me about the way that Ellie catches and returns golf balls when Sophie and Travis hit them.
They’re also two of the gentlest people I know. They’re welcoming, kind, and thoughtful. I enjoy our chats during our sessions because not only do they share my passion for travel, but they always have interesting perspectives on whatever topic we’re discussing. Back when I was teaching, they were the kind of parents I loved knowing were at home supporting one of my students. They encourage curiosity and promote experimenting so that Sophie can have new experiences. They’re willing to let her fail so that she can also learn to dust herself off and try again. And they’re just so playful. Watching them play with Sophie is enough to leave a smile on my face for hours.
Here’s a little look at what moment-driven photography looks like when you’re with a quiet, curious toddler and her playful parents:
Does it seem like Moment-driven Cornwall family photos might be the perfect change from traditional family portraits for you and your family? Get more info about the details of my services and pricing here or contact me to ask any specific questions you might have! I would love to hear about your family and tell your story. Really want to book, but feeling a little afraid? Here’s another example of how easy these sessions really are!
