family photojournalism :: the s-t family in california

Sometimes life offers you an opportunity to head to sunny CA in the thick of a dreary MI winter. And if it does, of course you say yes. Yes to photographing the sweetest family whom last you saw and photographed when their son was yet in utero and they lived in NYC. Yes to spending a weekend in their in-law suite and enjoying a snippet of spring-like weather all by yourself — a break from mothering and running a household and wearing winter gear.

So here it is: the results of the long in-home session with this amazing family. They’re loving, smart, intentional, resilient and deep-soul people. And they are raising this darling son with such grace and so many beautiful opportunities.

So even if you aren’t in MI, there IS a chance I’d come to shoot your family or event wherever the heck you are! I usually do considerably reduced sessions if you cover my airfare and a place to stay for a couple of nights. I love the chance to travel and see how families live all over the country and then to help them tell their stories.

family photojournalism :: the dickert family

Saturdays are for slow starts, waking slowly to the light peeking through the crack between the curtains and across the family bed. They’re for stumbling downstairs in pajama pants to get the first cup of coffee, then playing on the floor. They’re for cuddling and conversation, and certainly no agendas.

And all of this is unfolding for one of the last times for this family in this home, for just after I left their house from shooting this session, they got to work on staging and listing it for sale. They’re saying goodbye to the home to which Miller came from the hospital so that they can pursue another, wilder and greater future home.

These sessions meant to mark the end of a season in a beloved home are amongst my favorite. This is the perfect excuse for an in-home documentary photo shoot.

Scroll through these normal Saturday morning moments and let them inspire you to see the beauty in your own family’s ordinary weekend rhythms. Then, after the main section of photos there’s a sweet little “staged” moment of another typical event in this family’s life, which is simply adorable.

Goodbye, sweet house.

……………..

Bailey and George also really wanted to reenact another treasured ordinary event that has to do with when George leaves for work, which he didn’t actually have to do during our session time, so we “staged” it. See, George works for the army, and each morning when he gets up and puts on his boots on the stairs by the front door, Miller crawls over and up, insisting on being held by his daddy as he laces them up.

Even if it doesn’t fit the story flow from the photos above, it was too sweet not to share…

family photojournalism :: the kerry family

Every season of family life is its own story, its own treasure.

I’m often hired to photograph families in their younger years, the messy chaotic years of raising tiny and totally uninhibited little people. But sometimes — as with this session — I also get to spend time documenting the life of a family in a different season. Long gone are the diapers and strollers and nap times… those blurry years now replaced by whatever varied interested the children are growing up into, their ever-clearer personalities in full effect, their wings unfurling as their independence increases. And the mom and dad, no longer so needed in such physical ways, get to take on a new role: that of adviser, facilitator, guide, and friend.

Seeing all of that in the Kerry family made me look forward with renewed excitement to the future seasons of family life. We aren’t here yet, but they make it look so special, and I’m touched by their affectionate connection which they’ve so intentionally nurtured through every season of their life as a family.

So hear this, mamas and daddies of older kids and teens: this is for you, too. This natural, unposed and unhurried documentation of your family story works for ALL ages. In fact, it’s probably the best way to get your reluctant tween on board, because ain’t nobody gonna make him/her dress up and pose in cheesy ways. Instead, each family member gets to do his/her own thing and be SEEN and documented and appreciated for exactly who they are, in the phase they are in.

family photojournalism :: the bowen family (yes, again!)

It’s genuinely the BEST to get the chance to photograph the same family several times over spans of years while their children are born and grow, as they move or remodel their homes, change jobs, and more. In some cases, I’m actually at their BIRTHS, witnessing their emergence, and then I’m still photographing them at ages 4 or 5. I love thinking about the cumulative collection of images these families have over that span of time.

This family is one of those. I first photographed them when their second son was a brand new baby. And now here he is greeting me at the door in his undies, being nearly fully potty trained and rather proud of that.

This session was done last fall (Halloween time, as evidenced by the pumpkin carving going on here), so clearly I’m doing some catch-up on the blogging here. But it’s never too late for sharing another glimpse of another family’s peculiar magic, right?

If the idea of having me photograph your family across the years appeals to you, I do offer multi-session discounts. Shoot me an email and I’ll tell you more about that option.

family photojournalism :: the kegley family

They left a big city to come to our small one, and there’s been no regrets about that. Because at the end of this life, the chances are we’ll never regret the decision to scale back, slow down, carve out space to be together as family. We won’t regret living smaller and slower, friends.

What parts of your life have you rearranged in order to value the things that matter most to you?

In this in-home session from this past winter, I documented Rachel and Jason with their two boys as they baked, changed out of pajamas for the day, played piano and enjoyed free play in the playroom and then outside to sled a while, too. So much ordinary magic. :)

These little moments are where it’s AT, friends. This is the stuff you’ll be reminiscing over when you’re 80, and that’s why it’s what I’ve devoted my photographic career to documenting. There’s never a bad time to do this. So reach out if this resonates with you. Let’s get you set up!

family photojournalism :: the cappon family

Their gentle, respectful parenting with their boys struck me immediately. The atmosphere in their home is one that clearly facilitates emotional health, as Meghan and Peter strive to be their best selves: socially conscious, justice-minded, creative, hard-working, and always learning. It seems that their living is an art form, and that contentment informs their joy in the here and now.

I got to spend a simple, sweet brisk autumn afternoon with them as they spent time in the kitchen, wrestled in the boys’ room and built an amazing marble track, plus all the jumping and snuggling that filled in the cracks between activities.

I hope you’ll also be inspired by this glimpse into their family life. And I hope you know, dear reader, that your own family life is just as full of treasure and beauty, and that I’d be so honored to have an opportunity to show you that through my camera’s eye.

Read more about family photojournalism sessions and then reach out to book your own in-home documentary photography session with me.