How to prepare for your documentary family photography session

Preparing for a documentary family photography session might sound like something that requires planning, tidying, or staging. The truth is, it’s almost the opposite. The magic of this kind of photography lies in its honesty. Your everyday moments, just as they are, are more than enough.

Here’s how to prepare for your session with me, Sarah from Real Family Photography. Spoiler alert: it’s blissfully simple.

1. Do nothing

Really. Nothing.

You don’t need to clean the house. You don’t need to tidy the toys. You don’t need to brush the cat or hide the laundry pile.

I’m here to document the real stuff: your real family, your real life, in real time. That includes wet towels on the bathroom floor, half-eaten toast on the bench, Lego cities on the rug, and toothpaste blobs in the sink. These are the tiny, beautiful markers of family life. I welcome them all.

2. Talk to your whānau about 'Sarah who’s coming round with her camera to hang out'

It helps to set expectations with your partner and your kids.

Your partner might not be thrilled at the idea of someone pointing a camera at them whilst they're doing the dishes. I understand. I’m not going to ask you to pose or perform. I’ll chat, laugh, and hang out. Most adults and especially kids, forget I’m even there after a little while.

For your children, I introduce myself gently. I usually plonk myself down on the floor, pull my camera out of my backpack, and start chatting. I ask questions, I listen, and I meet them at their level, both literally and emotionally. I build trust first. Then I quietly get to work.

3. Choose your clothes, but not too carefully

Wear what you normally wear on a comfy, at-home kind of day. The clothes you feel most yourself in are exactly right.

No need for matching outfits or formal dress-ups. The only thing I ask is to avoid super bright colours, big logos, and loud patterns. These can distract in photos and draw attention away from the emotion and connection in the moment.

Otherwise, just be you.

4. Let me know what you usually do

You’ll receive a detailed questionnaire before our session. It’s a chance for me to get to know you, your routines, your personalities, and what your days usually look like.

You don’t need to plan anything special on the day of the shoot. Please don’t. I’m not coming to photograph a performance. I’m coming to see and celebrate your regular, wonderful, beautifully imperfect life.

That said, if there's something you always do, like Sunday pancakes, bathtime chaos, a walk to the local park, or storytime under the duvet, let me know. These kinds of familiar, repeated rituals are often where the gold lives.

5. Let go of the need to 'do it right'

There is no 'right' way to be during a documentary session.

You don’t need to smile on command. You don’t need your kids to behave. You don’t need to be anything other than what you already are.

Tantrums, snack breaks, cuddles, spills, boredom, belly laughs, and messes. This is real family life. That’s exactly what we’re documenting. That’s the legacy we’re preserving for your children.

6. Be present

The only thing you do need to do is be present.

Forget the camera. Let yourself get lost in the game, the conversation, the snuggle, or the routine. The more immersed you are in your day, the more powerful and truthful your photographs will be.

This session isn’t about performance. It’s about presence.

Finally, trust the process of documentary family photography

If you’ve made it this far, you already understand the heart of what I do. Trust that your ordinary is more than enough. Trust that the beauty is already there.

And trust me. I see it.

I can’t wait to hang out with you and your crew soon.

Feel free to check out more of my documentary family photography on my website.