Why this family loved their documentary photo session in Dublin 15
This documentary family photo session took place in a warm and lively home in the Dublin 15 area, and it was everything I love about photographing real family life… Natural everyday moments, genuine, loving bonds, and a relaxed pace that allows everyone to just be themselves.
From the very first moment, it was clear that this family was ready to welcome me into their world. Their little boy, just 4 years old, connected with me instantly, chatty, curious, and full of energy. As his mum later wrote, he “had a connection straight away” and quickly felt comfortable, which made the whole session flow with ease. Dinosaur facts may or may not have been involved 😉
Music, sketches, and feeding time: a slice of everyday life
We began in the living room, a calm and cozy space filled with afternoon light. The little boy sat on the floor, deeply focused on his drawing, while his mum breastfed her 2-month-old baby nearby. A quiet, tender moment. Across the room, the dad played the piano for his family.
This is the heart of a documentary family photo session! Letting moments unfold as they do every day, without interruption or direction. These unscripted scenes tell the real story of your family, your rhythms, your habits, your love.
And yes, their two small dogs joined the action too, weaving in and out of scenes, hopping up for cuddles, and wagging their tails happily. They were just as much a part of the family story as anyone else, and I was thrilled to include them. Read more about including pets in family photos
Stories, jumps on the bed, and a few cute couple shots
After some peaceful and quiet time in the living room, we moved into the big brother’s bedroom. There, the family read stories together, jumped on the bed, and shared some loud, silly laughs. The 4-year-old was in his element, showing me his toys and bouncing like a trampoline champion.
At one point, while the toddler was playing, I suggested we sneak into the parents bedroom so Mum and Dad could have a moment alone, and I captured some intimate, romantic couple portraits with their newborn. Because yes, parents deserve that too. (You can read more about why I always include a few romantic shots in every family session here: Romantic Couple Shots in Your Family Photoshoot
Outdoor snacks and pure bliss
Later, the family headed to the kitchen to prepare a little afternoon snack. No fancy setups, just the everyday magic of biscuits, juice cups, and the puppy trying to steal crumbs.
We took the snack outside into their garden, where the light was soft and the mood completely relaxed. Everyone sat together enjoying the moment. The baby snoozed in Mum’s arms, the older brother ran barefoot in the grass, and the dogs lounged nearby. It was the perfect, simple close to a beautiful afternoon.
As I was packing up, the dad told me how much he appreciated the session. He loved that it felt natural, that he could play piano, interact with his family, and not worry about posing. And that meant the world to me!
Their words—what the session meant to them
Later, the mama left me this beautiful review:
My 4 years old boy had a connection straight away with her and got very comfortable with her presence… she was kind to us regarding my worries with the house mess and my husband thought she was really respectful asking if she could photograph myself feeding my baby (the pics I honestly loved so much!). We all felt comfortable and happy around her and the result brought tears to us… this was the one my husband wanted to keep every single picture.
To hear that this was the first time her husband wanted to keep every photo—that the gallery brought them to tears, meant everything to me. Because that’s exactly what a documentary family photo session is about: keeping it real, and creating images that truly reflect who you are.
Want to experience this kind of session for your own family?
If you’re curious about what a session like this could look like for your own family—filled with music, play, snuggles, and everyday beauty—I’d love to hear from you.
