How to Have Stress-Free Family Photos This Year
Let’s talk about something very stressful that many families choose to do multiple times in their lives….
Family photos.
Did you feel it? That cortisol spike caused by simply thinking about putting yourself through that? Same, girl.
On the day of your family pictures, do you and your partner typically channel your anxiety into arguing with one another all morning? Or get frazzled after bribing your children into outfits that they don’t want to wear? Then after all that drama, somehow you each must try to put on your best “carefree” smile for 30 minutes? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone – it happens to everyone. And I think it’s exactly why you found me!
I am here to tell you that there is a better way! Documentary Family Photography shows people just how beautiful their real lives are. Once you see parts of your day through someone else’s eyes, it will give you a whole new appreciation for the magic that can be easy to overlook. We get so caught up in work, to-do lists, homework, juggling multiple kids’ schedules, squeezing in a rare date night, volunteering, trying to have a flicker of a social life, and the laundry, so much laundry…..that we often don’t notice many of the meaningful ways that we interact with our loved ones.
Documentary Family Photography is beginning to grow in popularity because, whether we realize it or not, many of us are becoming fatigued by seeing idealized versions of others on social media. This same pressure applies to families too. Whether it be styles of parenting, the cleanliness of our homes, our financial situation, or even our family nutrition choices; the possibilities for comparing ourselves to others are endless and emotionally draining. We could all use a dose of love and appreciation for everything that our life is; chaos and all. That’s what makes this genre of photography so special - it’s incredibly impactful for us to see ourselves being present with our children and partner without regard for the camera. As intimidating as it might seem at first, inviting a photographer into your home for the day is a generational gift for yourself and your family because the photos will always lovingly say “this is what my family is like”.
Do you know what else makes documentary family photography so great? Preparing for a photo session like this is about as stress-free as it gets! You each wear your favorite outfit (sweatpants are welcome to join the party) and be nothing less than your full and unapologetically real selves. Because that’s so much better than perfect. Isn’t that a relief?
