Why I chose to become a documentary family photographer
The journey to documentary photography
Many photographers will tell you that they found their passion in photography very early on in life, sometimes they were kids who got handed a camera as a gift. But I didn’t. Sure, in my teenage years I used disposable cameras on occasions, like on school trips or summer vacations. But at the time, I was not impressed: I much prefered drawing and painting.
Fast forward a few (a lot of…) years and something life changing happened to me: I became a mama. There was nothing I wanted more than live the experience to the fullest and remember everything.
So I did what I had to do: I picked up a camera we had gotten as a wedding gift and tried my best to use it on auto mode.
Understanding what makes a great photograph
Those photos were very basic, I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew I wanted to have keepsakes of all the cute moments, because things were moving so fast. At times, I was super frustrated because I was getting random results (auto mode will do that a lot). But once in a while, everything would just work out beautifuly, and the shot would be incredible, and I would be all “woaaah, how can I do that in every shot?” But I had no idea what had made the photo look good in the first place.
So I learned. I watched countless youtube tutorials and followed talented mom photographers on Instagram. I practiced again and again, and over the years I taught myself how to take the photographs I really wanted to take.
For a while, I learned how to frame, how to use light, how to use camera settings (and get the heck out of auto mode because it was betraying me so much). I also learned about editing and had a blast. At last I was happy with the results!
Yet, I felt I was missing something.
Why documentary was meant to be
I remember that I was always taking photos like I was a journalist. I didn’t really like the posed pictures my family used to take when I was a kid, and for a long time I thought the photos I was taking were not good enough because they were not posed portraits of my child standing still and smiling for the camera.
But just like I always prefered old paintings that depicted everyday activities to the posed portraits with an even background… I knew I liked documentary photography more. You can read more about my love for the mundane moments here.
And then at some point, during my journey, I discovered reportage family portraits were a thing.
I was blown away, I had no idea this was a genre outside of journalism in the newspapers.
Folks, I fell in love. I gained confidence that the work I was doing was good, that I was on the right path. With documentary photography, I felt true connection to my work.
Why I couldn’t keep it to myself
At some point, I felt the need to share my work. Through blogging and social media, I loved telling story with my images. It was just like a journal, with details and background, with feelings and emotion.
And then one day it happened : I had reached the point in my photography journey when I was ready and eager to photograph other families and tell their story too. Just like I did for mine, I wanted to document their lives in the truest way possible: honest, real. Life exactly as it is, whithout changing a thing. A documentary family photographer was born!
Whenever I photograph a family, I don’t ask them to dress a certain way and I don’t expect their home to look like it’s a real estate showroom. Life with kids isn’t spotless, it’s not quiet. How boring would that be? The chaos is part of the deal, right? Choosing documentary family photography is embracing the everyday. It’s a “come as you are” type of thing: you get to be you, your children get to be themselves, and you go on about a normal day. Unstaged, unfiltered, beautiful life.
From posed to priceless
So you see, documentary photography wasn’t initally a professional decision. It was a way to honor the real, everyday moments that I lived as a parent. With reportage pictures, I have real keepsakes of the very real parent life I live. Choosing to step away from posed, “smile at the camera” pictures was the best decision I ever made. The storytelling that documentary sessions offer is priceless, and I am so grateful I am able to look back on all the meaningful moments we shared.
And you know what the best part is? You are probably using documentary family photography on a daily basis too. If you have your phone handy to take snapshots of your little one everytime something cute happens or for small and big milestones, then you are a photo journalist too. So you understand the value it holds, and believe family photography is all about having heartfelt keepsakes of your love. Pssst! If you are looking for advice on how to improve your storytelling, don’t leave without grabbing my free mini course.
If you want to chat about our mutual passion for storytelling, hop in my DMs on Instagram!
Let’s meet
and create your family photography
I’m Aurélie, family photographer in Dublin, and I create timeless and heartfelt documentary photographs for loving families. Warm and honest storytelling for cheriched heirlooms of your little ones greatest treasure: their childhood pictures.
Want me to take the best family photos you ever had?