Top 7 Tips for a Successful Documentary Family Session by Allie Clarke

1. Educate Your Clients

A successful documentary session starts by helping your clients understand what to expect. This education begins long before they book—through your website, social media, and everything you put out into the world—but it’s equally important after they commit. Reassure them that this session isn’t about perfection; it’s about capturing the beauty in their everyday life! Encourage them to embrace the mess and the lived-in feel of their home. Remind them that what may seem like imperfections to them—clutter, fingerprints, or mismatched furniture—fade into the background of the photos and instead tell a story of love, life, and memory. Their home is a reflection of their family’s journey, and that’s worth honoring. When clients trust this process, it frees them to simply be themselves.

2. Plan a Little, But Stay Flexible

A little planning can go a long way in creating a meaningful session. A pre-session questionnaire helps you learn about their routines, favorite spaces, and what matters most in this season of their lives. Ask about what rooms they spend the most time in, what activities they enjoy as a family, and what their kids are into right now. Use this information to loosely plan the session time, focusing on when their energy levels are best—even if it means working outside of “perfect” lighting hours. While having a plan is helpful, the real magic comes from leaving room for spontaneity. Life can’t be scripted, and some of the most beautiful moments happen when things don’t go exactly as planned. Remind your clients that this session isn’t about rushing through a checklist, but about slowing down and spending uninterrupted time together. That alone creates a gallery filled with genuine moments they’ll cherish forever.

3. Capture the Front of Their Home

First and foremost, park your car down the block out of sight. If you don’t it will inevitably end up some of your favorite shots. Oh! Same goes for your backpack, shoes, water bottle - ask where you can stash things right when you get there. Before stepping inside though, take a moment to document the family’s home from the outside. Start with a wide shot that shows the whole house—think of it like the opening scene of a movie, setting the stage for the story you’re about to tell. Look for details like house numbers, seasonal décor, or even little faces peeking through a window. These small details add depth and context to the narrative. While you might revisit this spot later with the family, capturing it right away ensures you’ve locked in an important piece of the story. After all, a home is more than just a backdrop—it’s where their memories are made.

4. Allow Time to Warm Up

Longer sessions allow families to relax and let their guard down, which is especially important for capturing authentic moments. When you arrive, take some time to chat and get comfortable with everyone. With kids, break the ice by asking about their favorite toys, showing interest in their room, or making a silly joke like this one:

”Why did the banana go to the doctor? - Because it wasn’t peeling well!”

Physically getting down to their level—without your camera—can go a long way in earning their trust. Being in their own space, where they feel safe and at ease, helps even the shyest children open up. The beauty of documentary photography is that there’s no pressure to perform or pose. Some kids might be naturally eager to engage, while others need more time to warm up—and that’s okay. The goal is to capture life as it happens, without expectations or a rigid shot list. By the end of the session, you’ll likely find that even the most reserved kids feel comfortable and confident, and that’s when the magic truly happens.

5. Know When to Move, Know When to Pause

Documentary photography is a delicate balance of observing, anticipating, and acting. With time and practice, this balance becomes instinctive, but these tips can help you create a rich story for your clients:

-Start with a wide shot to capture the full scene and provide context. Elevate it by using natural framing—shoot through a doorway, window, or incorporate elements like plants, curtains, or toys to add depth and a sense of place.

-Then, move closer. Focus on perspectives that matter: a child’s gaze toward their parent or the tender way a parent looks at their child during play or quiet routines. These moments allow your clients to relive not just how it looked, but how it felt to interact with their children at this stage of life.

-Play with your perspective. Get low to see the world from a child’s view, shoot at eye level for connection, or climb up to capture a bird’s-eye view. If your current angle isn’t working, move your body—every shift in perspective can change the story.

-Finally, pause and observe. Watch the light as it falls on your subjects and shapes the mood. Ask yourself: Where should the focus be? What perspective best conveys what it feels like to be this family, in this space, at this moment? Is where I’m standing the right place to be? By balancing movement with stillness, you’ll capture images that are not only dynamic but deeply meaningful.

6. Don’t Just Be a Fly on the Wall

This may sound counterintuitive, because documentary photography is inherently a hands off approach, however, a thoughtful balance of observation and gentle engagement can elevate your images. Your primary role as the photographer is to notice the beauty in front of you and know how to frame it artistically. Sometimes this means asking your subjects to keep doing what they’re doing while subtly guiding them into better light or a more visually pleasing composition.

The key is to intervene only when it enhances the moment without disrupting its authenticity. A small adjustment—like suggesting they move closer to a window or shift slightly to improve the shot—can make a big difference without pulling them out of the moment. If the adjustment feels forced or awkward, it’s better to let it be.

This approach not only improves the final images but also instills confidence in your clients. Offering gentle feedback shows them you’re paying attention and fully committed to making the most of their session. Striking this balance between connection and restraint allows you to create meaningful, authentic images while maintaining trust and ease throughout the process.

7. Show Them You’ve Got This

Don’t be afraid to share the back of your camera with your clients, especially at the start of the session. Showing them those early, beautiful moments will reassure them that you’re capturing their story authentically and artistically. It’s a simple way to ease any nerves and help them settle into the session.

It also gives them a peek into your creative process and shows that there’s a method to the madness—whether you’re climbing onto their furniture, crouching behind a Magnatile castle, or lying flat under a swingset as a child flies over you. Sharing these small wins early on builds trust and lets your clients see that every move you make has a purpose, putting them at ease for the rest of the session.

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