There is something so special about photographing families in the middle of real life! Not perfectly posed, not stiff, not everyone smiling at the camera at the same time, but truly being together. The kind of moments that feel playful, emotional, a little chaotic, and full of movement. The kind of moments that ACTUALLY feel like your family. That’s exactly what documentary family photography is all about! The Nichols family’s winter session in Evergreen, Colorado was the perfect example of this approach. Instead of focusing on perfectly curated poses, we leaned into what their life actually looks like right now — playing in the snow, laughing together, running around the trees, and letting their sweet pup Murphy be right in the middle of it all!

A boy wearing a plaid jacket walks in a snowy forest with a golden retriever for a documentary family photography session

Three people and a dog are playing in a snowy forested area for a documentary family photography session

Why Documentary Family Photography Tells a Deeper Story

Traditional family photos absolutely have their place (and yes, we still grab a few looking-at-the-camera shots because grandma always needs one for the frame). But documentary family photography goes beyond that. It’s about telling your story, not just showing what you look like.

It captures:

The way your kids move and play
The way you naturally interact
The laughter, the chaos, and the quiet in-between moments
The relationships that make your family your family

With the Nichols, that meant snowball fights, running to stay warm, spontaneous hugs, and lots of movement. Those are the images that feel alive. They’re the ones you’ll look back on and instantly remember how this season felt, not just how it looked.

A man, woman, child, and a golden retriever stand together in a snowy forest with pine trees in the background for a documentary family photography session

A Blended Family Story Through Documentary Family Photography

Alex and Chase are past wedding clients of mine, so getting to step back into their lives and now photograph them as a family was incredibly meaningful. This session was about documenting a beautiful chapter in their blended family story.

One of the most touching parts for me was seeing the relationship between Alex and Carson. She isn’t just his stepmom, she’s his bonus mom, and you can feel that in the way they connect. Documentary family photography gives space for those relationships to unfold naturally, without forcing anything, without posing emotions that are already there. Watching their dynamic, the way Chase and Alex parent together, and the way Carson feels safe and loved in that space was such a reminder of why I love this style of photography so much.

Tips for Planning Your Own Documentary Family Photography Session

If this session made you think, okay… I want photos like this of my family, here are a few of my biggest tips to help you plan a documentary family photography session that feels natural, meaningful, and true to you!

Choose an Activity Your Family Already Loves

Whether it’s playing in the snow, baking cookies, going on a walk, building forts in the living room, or tossing a football in the backyard. The more familiar the activity, the more relaxed everyone will be (and the more genuine your photos will feel)!

Let Go of “Perfect”

Your kids do not need to behave perfectly. Your house does not need to look like a magazine. Someone might get muddy. Someone might be silly. Someone might need a snack break and that’s all part of the magic. Documentary family photography is about real life, not perfection.

Wear Something Comfortable You Can Move In

You don’t need matching outfits or stiff clothes. Choose pieces that feel good, keep you warm (especially for winter sessions), and let you move freely. Comfort always photographs better than anything forced.

Let Your Kids Be Themselves

If they want to run, let them run. If they want to cuddle, let them cuddle. If they want to show me their favorite stick or talk about their dog for five minutes straight, I’m here for it! Some of the best moments come from giving kids the space to just be who they are!

Trust the Process

This one is big. Documentary family photography isn’t about constant posing or direction. It’s about letting moments unfold naturally and trusting that the story being told is exactly the one you’ll want to remember. The magic is often in the in-between.

Thinking About a Documentary Family Session?

Families who value real moments, big feelings, and documenting life as it truly is (not the stiff, “everyone look at the camera” kind) are exactly who documentary family photography is for! Whether it’s a snowy day in the mountains, a slow afternoon at home, or one of your favorite weekend traditions, this approach is all about preserving the season you’re in right now — exactly as it is. I would absolutely love to photograph your story and create something that feels honest, meaningful, and full of the love your family lives in every day. Contact me to get started.

Love,
Amandha