The Ultimate Guide to Documentary Family Photography in Hampton Roads, VA

I'm going to do my best to keep this concise and clear, because I could talk about the importance of lifestyle, documentary, and storytelling photos forever. SO, let's dive in!

looking down on the family cat in documentary family photography in Hampton Roads VA

First off: what is the difference between documentary/storytelling photos and just a regular family photo session?

The vast majority of people may be under the impression that all family photo sessions are created equal. BUT candid or documentary style photos are very different from the typical "norm". While a documentary style photographer can absolutely still grab a handful of images where everyone is looking and smiling, the focus of these sessions is to allow interactions to unfold as they naturally would and documenting the moments that follow. A "regular" family photo session might include everyone getting dressed up and going somewhere that they have never been before just because it's pretty, and then spending that time posing a certain way or doing things that may not feel like "them" just to try and get the perfect photo. These are still an amazing way to document moments with your family and can absolutely result in beautiful images; however, a documentary family photo session achieves a similar goal, with a more intentional pathway there.

Why should I care about documentary family photos?

Documentary family photos are less about appearing a certain way and more about taking your family's everyday norm and making something beautiful out of that. Translation: documentary family photos are typically less stressful, more laid-back, and more enjoyable for everyone involved. We aren't trying to document perfect behavior, and it's totally okay if your little one just wants to be shy with mom or wants to be an absolute animal running wild - we still make art AND the photos you have to look back on will feel more authentic to what this season truly felt like.

What do these sessions typically look like?

I can only speak for myself and what my sessions look like here.

After booking, the planning process begins with a questionnaire and going over potential locations. Typically, the best documentary photo locations are in-home or in your neighborhood/yard, but often times there are other areas that are important to families, like a specific beach or hiking trail that is an option as well.

After the location is decided on, we might choose or come up with 1-2 potential "activities" to incorporate that are meaningful to your family. For example, if you enjoy hunting for seashells together along the beach or if you want photos of you reading your children's favorite books to them, baking, playing frisbee in the backyard, having a picnic at the park - whatever feels like "you"!

As for the photos, I act more as a fly on the wall with a touch of creative director, rather than taking on the full task of directing the shoot. I may coach you in the beginning of things to be aware of such as: pay attention to posture when sitting, be mindful of facial expressions, what to do if you feel like you don't know what to do, etc. And I might kick things off with general directions that you can make into your own. I will usually tell my families a bunch of things to do at once so that they feel like they have instruction until they get so comfortable together that they forget what they were "supposed" to be doing, and interact organically instead. For example: I might say "all four of you walk together to that spot over there, lay out the blanket and then all sit together as if you were about to watch a netflix movie. From there I want you all to talk about your favorite memory from the past year." In this interaction, you feel guided on what to do, without me telling you how to do it, so that it remains authentic to who you are as a family. As the "creative director" I absolutely still step in to guide where I see fit, but the overall intention of this approach is to keep a casual feel to the photos and allow your interactions to unfold naturally.

Best Location Options for Documentary Family Photography in Hampton Roads, Virginia

For true documentary-style photos, my top location recommendation is in your home or your yard/neighborhood.

Other options include:

A nearby park or field where you can do an activity that is authentic to who you are as a family
Taking part in something that you enjoy as a family - like skating at a local skate park, going for a hike on a favorite trail, enjoying a casual picnic under cherry blossoms, etc. Allow the activity to determine the location
If the beach is somewhere that you enjoy spending quality time together, then the beach it is! Again, keeping those quality-time activities at a top priority: seashell hunting, building sand castles, paddle boarding, whatever it is that you would otherwise be doing at the beach - not just turning it into a "photoshoot"

A whole separate blog post on this is coming soon with some of my specific favorite spots for documentary family photos near me - so stay tuned!

What to Wear for Documentary Family Sessions in Hampton Roads Virginia

Documentary family photos are typically a more casual feel, so you can leave the expensive single-use dresses in the closet or on the sales rack for this one, and it's much easier to use what you likely already have in your closet!

Rather than listing out everything I would recommend, something like this calls for a more visual approach, so head over to my Amazon storefront to see the visual inspo (again - shopping is not necessary, I am moreso using this as a visual mood board of outfit examples that I would recommend you find in your closet, lol!)

I do have two direct links to some outfit inspo that I love, also located in my storefront, but here is the link to casual documentary looks and here is the link to some more upscale documentary looks

When and How to Book

My other favorite thing about documentary family photos is that they give a more authentic feel than your typical "Holiday Card Family Photos" which means - anytime is the best time. Is it around your child's first birthday? Is a parent about to deploy and you want photos of your favorite things together to help get you and the kids through the physical distance? Are you about to move out of a home that you have lived a lot of life in? Documentary family photos are about preserving a season of life and allowing memories to be something you can tangibly look back on and feel again. These sessions can be booked whenever that feels aligned to you.

If you are interested in a documentary style session, it is important to seek out a photographer who specializes in being able to create real art from candid moments. It's not enough to just capture candid-ness; that is how you end up with a gallery of double chins and awkward in-between facial expressions - just being transparent. But, when you hire a photographer who specializes in documentary and storytelling photography, then you can trust that you will be able to relax and be in the moment and the photos that will result in will still be magazine-worthy that, sure, you may want to keep in a scrapbook or album, but that you will also want to adorn the walls of your home with, as well.