What is your story? Nelson and Tasman documentary family photography

What chapter are you in right now?

Your family’s story is unfolding quietly, day after day, in ways you might not even notice. It lives in the small, ordinary moments that together tell a much bigger truth about this chapter of your life.

It might be the story of life with three little ones under three, where days blur into sleepless nights and toy-strewn floors. It might be two working parents juggling school drop-offs, daycare pickups and seemingly endless sports schedules. It could be the chapter where your teenager pulls away but still leaves their favourite hoodie on the couch, or where a grandparent’s hands tell decades of stories without saying a word.

These are the threads that weave your family’s bigger picture: the chaos and the calm, the exhaustion and the joy, the routines and the rituals that quietly define who you are right now.

One day, these everyday moments will become memories. And one day, some of the people in your photos will no longer be here.

I'm a documentary family photographer. That is why I do this. It is not just for you. It is for your children and their children one day, so they can see where they came from, who you were, and how fiercely they were loved.

Why your story matters

Life changes. Children grow, grandparents age, and loved ones pass away. Homes are sold, chapters close, and entire seasons of life shift almost without us noticing.

Documenting your story now is about more than having beautiful photos on your wall. It is about preserving your family’s history. It is about giving your children a way to look back and remember, not the curated, posed version, but the real, messy, magical truth of your life as it is today.

Because one day, these photos will be priceless. One day, they will be all that is left.

Preserving your legacy

Imagine your children, years from now, sitting with their own kids, turning the pages of an album filled with these memories.

They will see you, not just what you looked like, but who you were. They will hear the laughter in their heads, remember the stories behind the photos, and feel the love that has travelled through generations.

That is the power of documentary family photography. It freezes these chapters of your life, exactly as they are, so your story can be told long after you are gone.

Hardworking single mum chapter

When I documented Becks almost two years ago, she was a single mum to two sporty high schoolers, plus directing a high profile local business and doing charity work. Life was full of sporting schedules, meetings and deadlines. And they were (and still are) all thriving. I documented them at their beautiful home, indulging in their shared love: playing sport.

High school sweethearts with two young boys chapter

Both creative outdoorsy types, John and Sarah enjoy sharing their passions and family history with their boys. High school sweethearts, they bought a house in the rural town they grew up in. Both are studying for career changes, whilst still paying the bills and raising their kids.

Birthday celebration chapter

Genevieve invited me along to document their celebration of Phoebe's birthday. There was party food, a huge gift (a new desk, assembly required)!) and everyone came together. Siblings and their partners. Cousins, friends, granddad and parents. Many fond memories were made in front of my lens that day. Grandma was remembered, partners were confirmed as family members and stories were read.

Five young kids chapter

Super-mum Krissy said she wanted documentary family photos taken "to remember this time in our life with five young kids". This was an hectic chapter in their lives but full of hope. They were living in a small house in Tasman, saving hard to buy a larger home. They enjoyed playing together in the loungeroom as the sun streamed through the windows. The anticipation and excitement of what what just on the horizon was palpable. A few short months after this photo was taken, they achieved their dream a bought a new home. Congratulations whānau! It's important to document the every day. The in-between times. So we look back and be grateful for how far we've come.

Mum and son chapter

Wee Skye had enjoyed a walk with Granny, Grandad, Mum and cheeky Uncle Chris. Having lived all round the world, it was the first time they were all in the same place for 15 years! Lots of lovely photos together as a result. The cheeky smile as Skye pushed Mum on the roundabout. He is chuffed with himself he can move the equipment by himself. Mum's joy at his achievement. This is just priceless! Enjoy this precious time together.

Hard working family chapter

Maarten's wife Jess came forward when I was looking for a lovely family to document on Father's Day. My story resonated with her, having lost her dad as a child too. With shared names between three generations of men past and present, Jess said "these little things remind me of why it’s so important to document special times as we never know what will happen. We have to make the most of what time we do have together and cherish those memories through photos and videos." I had the honour of sharing some time with this beautiful family this morning. Dad was given special gifts, had yummy breakfast cooked for him (he still makes the best coffee!) and a cake baked to a cherished recipe.

Two little one's chapter in our forever home

Melissa wanted "Photographs that capture us in the moment, living daily life, navigating the love and challenges of raising children.". With a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old it's a busy house.

One morning I was honoured to join them for breakfast at their home in Atawhai. The smell of bacon and Dad's best coffee filled the house as the sun streamed in the sliding doors.

It's so important to take a breath now and then to drink in the joy found in everyday rituals.

Little boy crawling chapter

This beautiful family are in the "little-boy-crawling" chapter of life.

But the backstory to this present season includes a long journey of surrogacy. A topic not often discussed amongst couples planning a family. And one for which these parents are very grateful for. This is one special wee lad.

On a lighter note, when I spoke to Mum on the phone before our session, the conversation quickly turned to cats. We both love well looked after feline pets and their three are a special part of the family. I couldn't resist this gorgeous fella!

Mum said "We love family lived in photography and to capture our wee guy at this stage of life.". Hopefully I did just that for you.

Thank you so much for inviting me into your beautiful home and lives for the morning.

What might your documentary family photography story look like?

One day, these moments will be memories. The season you are living right now, with all its beauty, chaos, love, and exhaustion, is worth documenting.

If you would like to preserve your family’s story, I would love to help you do it. Photos that feel like you. Photos that show your children, and their children one day, what your love looked like.

I'm Sarah and I provide outdoorsy families who hate awkward poses with documentary family photography in Nelson and Tasman Aotearoa New Zealand. If this resonates with you, please feel free to check out my Real Family Photography website.

Lots of love, Sarah XX