Documentary Photography Sessions in Seattle

Your stories matter.

As they say, the only sure thing is the passing of time. As parents, we see it every time we get a reminder of a photo we shared online a few years ago. I’m always blown away by the change that has occurred in my family. If I didn’t get the reminder, I may continue on at my usual pace, not pausing long enough to witness it. That pause helps me appreciate the present moment all the more.

Documentary family photography is about telling stories. We all have stories to tell. Saturday morning routines. Teaching our kids to ride a bike. Soccer practice on Tuesday nights. These moments may not feel special at the time, but our day-to-day activities and relationships tell a thousand stories about us, and they are worth documenting. So much of parenting is the often invisible behind-the-scenes work that allows meaningful experiences to happen. Documenting these experiences helps honor that effort and will help your children see all of the many ways you loved them over the years.

When my son has grown, and my grandchildren ask him what his childhood was like, I want him to have albums of photo stories full of details that will help him remember what these days were like. I want the same for you.

full documentary portfolio

A Slice of Life

$350

A Day in the Life

$750

Brother and sister carrying food to a horse in a stable during a family photo shoot in Seattle

Mother giving her son a bath in bathtub in Seattle

3 - 4 hours of photographic coverage documenting a favorite family activity, adventure, or milestone.

8 - 10 hours of photographic coverage documenting a full day in the life of your family from the first cup of coffee to the last bedtime story.

Photographic products are purchased separately after you've seen your gallery. They start at $600 and allow you to purchase just what you need. Session fees cover my photography and editing time and travel within 25 miles of Seattle.

Exclusive Year-in-the-Life packages are available to documentary clients. Great for documenting the growth of your family over the course of a year at a reduced cost. Please inquire for details.

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After your shoot

Day of your shoot

Before your shoot

Four weeks after your shoot, you'll receive your online gallery. You will have a month to order any prints and photo products from my online store. Products include digital files, prints, albums, and wall art.

This is the fun part! The only thing you need to do is be yourself and live your life. I'll be the proverbial fly-on-the-wall (with a camera) capturing your experience.

Fill out my contact form, and I will be in touch to discuss the details of your shoot. Your shoot is reserved when I receive your first session payment and signed contract. I will also send a questionnaire to help me get to know your family.

Kind Words

We just did our routine for viewing the photos (love that we have a routine for these) and yet again... You absolutely blew us away. The ability you have to capture the love we have, but also the humor, and the little expressions on our sweet baby's face that we just simply cannot get when it's us taking a photo. We laughed and cried (mostly me crying haha) reviewing this gallery. These are worth every freaking penny. Seeing our family professionally captured and having this little time capsule of life at this stage is pure magic.

-Almeera A.

more testimonials

FAQs Regarding Family Documentary Photography in Seattle

I understand this is a documentary shoot but can we get a traditional family portrait too?

Yes! The focus of a documentary shoot is capturing you without any posing or direction. That’s where all of the magic is. However, we all appreciate an updated family portrait so I will spend about 15 minutes getting a few traditional shots if you would like.

My house is a mess. I’m not sure I want that in my photos.

No worries! The details of your house are an important part of your story. I think back to when my son was a toddler. We had cheerios spilled on the floor, toys everywhere, and dishes in the sink at all times. When I look back on that time of our lives, those details were an important part of our “having a toddler” story. Now that my son is older, I look back on that chaos fondly.

What if my children don’t want to cooperate?

I’m a parent too! It may take some time for your family members to get comfortable with having me in your space, which is why sessions take longer than a traditional shoot. It’s important that you feel at ease so that you can be yourselves. You’ll be surprised how comfortable we feel around each other by the end of a shoot.
That said, I’m completely comfortable with children of all stripes. My own child is neurodiverse and isn’t always interested in having a camera in his face. I get it and it doesn’t faze me.

Can we include our pet in the session?

Yes, please! Our pets are part of our family after all.

What if it rains?

Living where we do, we get a little rain every now and then. If it’s a light drizzle and you’re game, I can work with it (it might even be fun to include umbrellas in the shoot!). If it’s pouring and we’ve planned an outdoor adventure, we can either reschedule or find another adventure that is not so weather dependent.

What happens after the shoot?

Within four weeks, I will send you a link to your private photo gallery. You will have a month to purchase any photo products from my online store, such as prints, wall art, and if not included in your package, albums and digital files. Digital files are high resolution and professionally edited. Albums can be customized if you desire additional pages or covers.

Do you travel for photo sessions?

Absolutely. I love to travel and would enjoy capturing your family’s adventures where ever they may be. Please contact me to discuss details.

Photo gallery from a Slice of Life photo session held June, 2022

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