I feel like I’ve spent a lot of time trying to convince you all that a documentary family shoot is something you should invest in. And not because I don’t think other photography has purpose or place.
Posed portraits are also representations of your family. There is value to having photos with each member of the family looking at the camera, all at the same time. It’s also a good way to record the growth and change of kids, especially if you have these photos taken every few years. I don’t want anyone to think that I’m dissing this type of photography. Even in my documentary sessions, I will take 10 minutes to make these portraits for the family.
But I rarely get emails after a portrait session where the mom tells me she cried. I don’t get the line, “Oh my gosh I can’t believe you captured us doing _____.” The reactions to documentary sessions are so much stronger.
So today, I’m not just going to toot my own horn. I’m going to blare it at you. These are the emails, reviews, or comments I’ve received from people after delivering their gallery with documentary images.
I’m done trying to convince you. Well, after you read all these nice things from these nice people:
Rachel had me nearly weeping tonight as I went through the adorably branded USB she sent me that was filled with photos she took of our family one morning. She undoubtedly captured [our] family in all our joy, frustrating, curation, messiness, and living of life and love. Thank you, Rachel. This is a true gift you have given us.
Rachel, we just read your blog together, with tears … beautiful and wow so nice … thank you for wanting to be a part of our family for many years to come. Perfect. You’re amazing.
The intimate and authentic feel of these images is more than I could have even hoped for; the value of these photos pales in comparison to any posed images we have. I had been craving (and literally scouring the world wide web) for a photographer with an authentic feel—life photos, not family portraits. … We are both blown away by how much we are in love with these photos; we are literally feeling ALL the feelings over here. Rachel’s vision for these slice of life sessions are completely realized when that girl puts her eye to her viewfinder. I cannot gush enough about it.
Rachel has an incredible gift not only for photography but making people feel comfortable. She came to our home to take newborn photos and we instantly felt her warmth. Neither my husband or I like staged photos and she did a wonderful job just capturing us in our home with our daughter in our natural element. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about our experience with Rachel and the photos she took.
Rachel has a visionary talent. While she is calculating light and capturing candid, beautiful photos, she also is connecting with your family. She is so relaxed and natural, making our little guys extremely comfortable. We truly appreciate her organic approach to capturing our “real” family.
I want to give every single client a set of images that makes them feel this way. I want people to see the beauty in their ordinary, the immense love in their everyday moments. Contact me today if you would like to book a documentary family session. I promise you won’t regret it.