Hi, I'm Raquel. Your Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer
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Tips For A Documentary-Style Family Session | For Photographers
More than just posing…everything from mindset, session prep, to helping you feel confident going into your family session as a photographer
Documentary-style family photos is all about leaning into a family’s story and taking photos of what is genuinely happening in the session, over your traditional smiling family photos. This documentary style may not resonate with everyone; some might prefer more traditional Christmas card photos. However, by showcasing your portfolio this way and clearly communicating your family photography values, you’ll be able to attract the right clients and naturally deter those who aren’t aligned with your style.
Topics Covered:
• Mindset and Values
• Child-Led Approach
• Posing and Prompts
• Extra Tips and Reminders
1. Mindset & Values
Before getting into family sessions, it’s important to ask yourself as a photographer what you value and how that comes into your sessions. Let go of the pressure to conform to a specific vision for the photoshoot, whether it’s yours or your clients’. Instead, focus on what truly matters to both you and your clients, drawing inspiration from their unique quirks. Get to know your families by observing their personalities, asking questions, and even sending a questionnaire before the session to understand what they value.
Reflect on what resonates with you as a photographer. Ask yourself what you love about capturing families—whether it’s the little details, cinematic moments, or emotive shots. Let that become your “why” and guide your approach to the shoot. Trying to copy poses or follow trends will only undermine your confidence and diminish the authenticity of your work. Avoid the trap of comparison—appreciate other photographers’ work without feeling the need to compete. Everyone has a distinct style and connection with families, so draw inspiration from what excites and motivates you, and let that keep you grounded and focused.
2. Child-Led Approach
Let the kids lead the session. Kids just want to be seen, heard and loved, just like adults. They don’t want to be told what to do and bossed around by anyone. During the session you need to make them feel valued as a person. You can do this by introducing yourself to them and explain what you’re going to be doing and make it fun. Build excitement in them about the photoshoot mentioning that we’ll play games and explore.
Greet the parents briefly and then get eye to eye with the kids and really get to know them. Try to find some common ground or way to connect with them, something in common, be interested in what they are interested in – this will boost their mood and they will enjoy the session more and be themselves.
Make It Fun – Play Games, Take Breaks, and No Bribes
Don’t underestimate the power of turning a photoshoot into a fun game. Make silly faces, play tickle monster, or even have them compete to see who can run the fastest or hop the highest—anything that gets them laughing and engaged. If they seem bored or tired, shift gears and create new challenges to keep the energy up. As the photographer, it’s essential to facilitate the flow of the shoot and maintain control, asking the parents to let you take the reins. Kids can get embarrassed if they’re scolded, which will kill the fun and make it hard to capture genuine smiles.
Taking short breaks when needed can make a huge difference, especially since a photoshoot is something outside their usual routine. And forget about bribing them with treats; it quickly turns into a power struggle and disrupts the natural rhythm of the session, leaving them more focused on the reward than having fun. Instead, aim to engage them without creating any distractions that will take away from the experience.
Before The Session
- Send a Questionnaire
- Before your session, it can be very helpful to take the time to ask your clients thought-provoking questions that will help you capture truly meaningful moments for their family. Encourage them to reflect on why they want photos at this particular stage of their lives and what they love most about their family. Ask about the little details, such as their favorite physical features like freckles, how they joke around, or the way they embrace one another.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions
- You can also ask about the small acts of service they use to show their love—like their children’s favorite things, whether it’s Frozen, trucks, dolls, or Baby Shark. Additionally, ask what they want to remember 20 years from now and whether there are any significant highs or lows in their parenting journey that you should be aware of. While you can ask these questions during the shoot, discussing them beforehand allows you to tailor your approach and plan a session that truly reflects their unique story.
- Create a Mood Board for Inspiration
- Reach out to your clients via Instagram or text before the session to help build trust and make them feel more comfortable, creating a sense of familiarity. Share an inspiration board with emotive imagery to set the tone, emphasizing that it’s not a shot list but a source of inspiration for the feelings and emotions you hope to capture during your time together. The goal of the session is to create art that authentically reflects who they are. While Pinterest can be helpful for outfit ideas, it’s important to avoid focusing too much on external factors that might not resonate with their true essence. After all, when we look at photos of ourselves, it’s the feelings they evoke—like love and nostalgia—that matter most. If someone feels pressured to be “perfect” in the photo, it’s unlikely you will capture that genuine emotional connection.
3. Posing and Prompts
My go-to prompts to get families interacting with each other and present in the moment:
- While you have their attention start off with a smiling at the camera pose
- Exploring together, kids come up with a story, pretend we’re in a movie, “what happens next?”
- Running/walking though field together, chase each other or play tag
- Kids run around parents
- Tickling each other while sitting on laps
- Dog pile or snuggle on a blanket together
- Exploring around the area, touching grass, flowers, nature
- Each parent take turns holding the kids
- Play airplanes and run together
- Parents lifting the kids in the air
- Play red light green light, london bridge, or duck duck goose!
- Close up and far away shots to tell a story
Beginning of the Session
Before starting taking photos, check in with your family on how they’re doing. Spend the first 5-10 minutes chatting it up to help ease any nerves or stress. It’s important that they don’t feel rushed or pressured by a time limit. Create a relaxed atmosphere by checking in on how they’re feeling, and, if we’re at their home, ask them to give you a quick tour. They may have felt some stress leading up to the session, reassure them that we can take breaks. There’s no need to worry about getting every shot in a tight timeframe—this is about capturing the moments naturally, without any pressure.
Before we start shooting, I’ll give them a little pep talk to remind them of the session’s purpose. I’ll say something like: “I just want you all to be yourselves and feel comfortable. We’re here to capture your family connecting and interacting naturally, not to create anything forced. We’ll hang out in different spots—whether inside your home or outdoors—and just see where the session takes us.”
During the Session: Be Present and Have No Expectations
During the shoot, it’s important to keep things light and fun—talk about life, joke around, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Let them see that you’re human too, and share your thought process when it feels right. This transparency helps build trust and shows them that it’s okay to be vulnerable with you as well. Encourage them to just be themselves and stay present in the moment. Flow with the session as it unfolds, sharing your ideas gently but with confidence, while remaining flexible to their needs.
Kids can be unpredictable—an outgoing child might suddenly feel shy on the day of the shoot. Read the energy and adapt accordingly, letting the session evolve naturally based on how everyone is feeling.
If you’re in a new location with the kids and they’re seeing you and your camera for the first time, don’t set any expectations for how the session should go. If your original plan doesn’t quite work out—no problem!
Tips & Reminders
Remember to get down to their level, make sure they feel seen, and create an environment where they can trust you. Give them some control over the session to keep things fun and engaging—ask them to show you things, or have them interact with their parents and vice versa.
The goal is to really get to know them and observe how they connect with each other.
It might help to have something for them to do or a game for them to keep them engaged. Ultimately, the focus is on capturing the moments that highlight the things they love about their favorite people, so that the photos feel personal and real.
Shooting Tip: Capture the in-between moments as well, like when they’re walking to a spot or close-up details of them holding hands or touching; these often turn out to be some of the most authentic and key storytelling shots.
Have Fun!
Family sessions can be so rewarding and beautiful to be a part of. Remember to have fun with it and not put too much pressure on yourself or the family.
Need help planning outfits for your family session? Here is my what to wear guide and Pinterest Board of inspiration:
More than just posing…everything from mindset, session prep, to helping you feel confident going into your family session as a photographer
Documentary-style family photos is all about leaning into a family’s story and taking photos of what is genuinely happening in the session, over your traditional smiling family photos. This documentary style may not resonate with everyone; some might prefer more traditional Christmas card photos. However, by showcasing your portfolio this way and clearly communicating your family photography values, you’ll be able to attract the right clients and naturally deter those who aren’t aligned with your style.
Topics Covered:
• Mindset and Values
• Child-Led Approach
• Posing and Prompts
• Extra Tips and Reminders
1. Mindset & Values
Before getting into family sessions, it’s important to ask yourself as a photographer what you value and how that comes into your sessions. Let go of the pressure to conform to a specific vision for the photoshoot, whether it’s yours or your clients’. Instead, focus on what truly matters to both you and your clients, drawing inspiration from their unique quirks. Get to know your families by observing their personalities, asking questions, and even sending a questionnaire before the session to understand what they value.
Reflect on what resonates with you as a photographer. Ask yourself what you love about capturing families—whether it’s the little details, cinematic moments, or emotive shots. Let that become your “why” and guide your approach to the shoot. Trying to copy poses or follow trends will only undermine your confidence and diminish the authenticity of your work. Avoid the trap of comparison—appreciate other photographers’ work without feeling the need to compete. Everyone has a distinct style and connection with families, so draw inspiration from what excites and motivates you, and let that keep you grounded and focused.
2. Child-Led Approach
Let the kids lead the session. Kids just want to be seen, heard and loved, just like adults. They don’t want to be told what to do and bossed around by anyone. During the session you need to make them feel valued as a person. You can do this by introducing yourself to them and explain what you’re going to be doing and make it fun. Build excitement in them about the photoshoot mentioning that we’ll play games and explore.
Greet the parents briefly and then get eye to eye with the kids and really get to know them. Try to find some common ground or way to connect with them, something in common, be interested in what they are interested in – this will boost their mood and they will enjoy the session more and be themselves.
Make It Fun – Play Games, Take Breaks, and No Bribes
Don’t underestimate the power of turning a photoshoot into a fun game. Make silly faces, play tickle monster, or even have them compete to see who can run the fastest or hop the highest—anything that gets them laughing and engaged. If they seem bored or tired, shift gears and create new challenges to keep the energy up. As the photographer, it’s essential to facilitate the flow of the shoot and maintain control, asking the parents to let you take the reins. Kids can get embarrassed if they’re scolded, which will kill the fun and make it hard to capture genuine smiles.
Taking short breaks when needed can make a huge difference, especially since a photoshoot is something outside their usual routine. And forget about bribing them with treats; it quickly turns into a power struggle and disrupts the natural rhythm of the session, leaving them more focused on the reward than having fun. Instead, aim to engage them without creating any distractions that will take away from the experience.
Before The Session
- Send a Questionnaire
- Before your session, it can be very helpful to take the time to ask your clients thought-provoking questions that will help you capture truly meaningful moments for their family. Encourage them to reflect on why they want photos at this particular stage of their lives and what they love most about their family. Ask about the little details, such as their favorite physical features like freckles, how they joke around, or the way they embrace one another.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions
- You can also ask about the small acts of service they use to show their love—like their children’s favorite things, whether it’s Frozen, trucks, dolls, or Baby Shark. Additionally, ask what they want to remember 20 years from now and whether there are any significant highs or lows in their parenting journey that you should be aware of. While you can ask these questions during the shoot, discussing them beforehand allows you to tailor your approach and plan a session that truly reflects their unique story.
- Create a Mood Board for Inspiration
- Reach out to your clients via Instagram or text before the session to help build trust and make them feel more comfortable, creating a sense of familiarity. Share an inspiration board with emotive imagery to set the tone, emphasizing that it’s not a shot list but a source of inspiration for the feelings and emotions you hope to capture during your time together. The goal of the session is to create art that authentically reflects who they are. While Pinterest can be helpful for outfit ideas, it’s important to avoid focusing too much on external factors that might not resonate with their true essence. After all, when we look at photos of ourselves, it’s the feelings they evoke—like love and nostalgia—that matter most. If someone feels pressured to be “perfect” in the photo, it’s unlikely you will capture that genuine emotional connection.
3. Posing and Prompts
My go-to prompts to get families interacting with each other and present in the moment:
- While you have their attention start off with a smiling at the camera pose
- Exploring together, kids come up with a story, pretend we’re in a movie, “what happens next?”
- Running/walking though field together, chase each other or play tag
- Kids run around parents
- Tickling each other while sitting on laps
- Dog pile or snuggle on a blanket together
- Exploring around the area, touching grass, flowers, nature
- Each parent take turns holding the kids
- Play airplanes and run together
- Parents lifting the kids in the air
- Play red light green light, london bridge, or duck duck goose!
- Close up and far away shots to tell a story
Beginning of the Session
Before starting taking photos, check in with your family on how they’re doing. Spend the first 5-10 minutes chatting it up to help ease any nerves or stress. It’s important that they don’t feel rushed or pressured by a time limit. Create a relaxed atmosphere by checking in on how they’re feeling, and, if we’re at their home, ask them to give you a quick tour. They may have felt some stress leading up to the session, reassure them that we can take breaks. There’s no need to worry about getting every shot in a tight timeframe—this is about capturing the moments naturally, without any pressure.
Before we start shooting, I’ll give them a little pep talk to remind them of the session’s purpose. I’ll say something like: “I just want you all to be yourselves and feel comfortable. We’re here to capture your family connecting and interacting naturally, not to create anything forced. We’ll hang out in different spots—whether inside your home or outdoors—and just see where the session takes us.”
During the Session: Be Present and Have No Expectations
During the shoot, it’s important to keep things light and fun—talk about life, joke around, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Let them see that you’re human too, and share your thought process when it feels right. This transparency helps build trust and shows them that it’s okay to be vulnerable with you as well. Encourage them to just be themselves and stay present in the moment. Flow with the session as it unfolds, sharing your ideas gently but with confidence, while remaining flexible to their needs.
Kids can be unpredictable—an outgoing child might suddenly feel shy on the day of the shoot. Read the energy and adapt accordingly, letting the session evolve naturally based on how everyone is feeling.
If you’re in a new location with the kids and they’re seeing you and your camera for the first time, don’t set any expectations for how the session should go. If your original plan doesn’t quite work out—no problem!
Tips & Reminders
Remember to get down to their level, make sure they feel seen, and create an environment where they can trust you. Give them some control over the session to keep things fun and engaging—ask them to show you things, or have them interact with their parents and vice versa.
The goal is to really get to know them and observe how they connect with each other.
It might help to have something for them to do or a game for them to keep them engaged. Ultimately, the focus is on capturing the moments that highlight the things they love about their favorite people, so that the photos feel personal and real.
Shooting Tip: Capture the in-between moments as well, like when they’re walking to a spot or close-up details of them holding hands or touching; these often turn out to be some of the most authentic and key storytelling shots.
Have Fun!
Family sessions can be so rewarding and beautiful to be a part of. Remember to have fun with it and not put too much pressure on yourself or the family.
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