7 tips on how to have the most relaxed documentary family photoshoot | Brighton family and newborn photographer

19 Mar

Unposed family photoshoot. Documentary family photographer Brighton & London. Natural and fun family and newborn photography at home or outdoors. Family walking in the park, blue sky.

Documentary family photography is all about capturing real life - which can sometimes feel quite daunting. People can be nervous about being themselves in front of a camera. You might worry that your house is too messy, your family life isn't interesting enough, or that your child might throw a tantrum. Please don't be concerned about any of this!

Here are some tips on how to have a really relaxed and fun documentary family photoshoot:

1. Have a different mindset about the "perfect picture". Just have a think about how you'd like to remember the time when your children were young. Try to let go of control, the more you let go of the expectation of the "perfect picture", the more real, natural and beautiful the moments will be.

2. Plan your photo session around your daily routines. These routines play a great part in your little one's life and things like bath time, reading stories and having lunch together are all great moments to document. It also means that you will be occupied so you probably won't pay as much attention to the camera.

3. Allow plenty of time for pictures. In order to get those "real moments" we need a bit of time together . The longer I spend with a family, the more time we have for those events to unfold. It always takes a little bit of time to forget about the camera - I use the first 10 minutes to get to know the kid(s) - and to get a good variety in your photos. It is also nice not to feel rushed and to allow plenty of time for your family photo session.

4. Don't worry how you might look in the photos. I know - easier said than done, right? But trust me, I will deliver pictures of you that reflect you and your family, and are flattering but natural at the same time.

5. Stay present. A family photoshoot is a great time to engage and connect as a family. Apart from shooting your daily routines it's also nice to allow a bit of playtime where there's enough room to enjoy your time as a family. When you stay present and are having fun with your kids those real and fun moments will happen naturally.

6. Don't try to "act natural". Families that have a really fun and relaxed family photo session don't really think about the photoshoot too much. Don't stop being silly with your kids, just let me shoot the events as they come.

7. Last but not least: don't prepare anything! There's absolutely no need to do so. I am a mum myself and I know spaghetti stains on the sofa, a floor covered with toys and crayon on the walls is just part of family life. I promise you will feel at ease in my company, I will just hang out with you and your family and will bring your story to life through my photographs.