5 Ideas for Documentary Style Photo Sessions

There are so many moments in my life, especially since having kids, that I wish I could have had a photographer shadowing my family.  I have had a child or two around for 9 years now and have taken thousands of photos of them, my husband and sometimes the dogs, but rarely am I interacting with them in any.  While I do have those rare times when I would hand the camera over to my husband to snap a couple of quick photos of me smiling with the kids, it's the fun candid ones that I'm never in front of the lens for.  Every family has that one person who typically takes all the photos but is rarely in them, or if they are, it's selfie city.  I have nothing against selfies, but is that all our kids are going to have to remember us by?  So, I challenge you to think of your favorite memories and traditions that you have with your family and write down 3 of your favorite ideas.  Now look back or think about the photos you have of that time, or lack there of, and how many you are in, then give me a call and we discuss turning your tradition into a photo session.  This is NOT a buy new coordinating outfits and smile pretty for the camera type session.  This is a documentation of a day with your family as you are at this stage in your life.  Here are my top 5 traditions, yes with fall in mind, that my family really enjoys, where I would love to put down my camera and have someone tag along to document this precious time in my families' life........

1. Apple Picking
 What is better than heading to the country and picking and eating fresh apples?  Maybe the country store, the wagon rides, the animals.  My kids love it all and can't wait for this seasonal activity. 

She was so little here, I can't believe those cheeks, there as round as the apples.

2. Pumpkin Patch
      I've been growing our own pumpkins for a few years now, but for some reason we still visit a pumpkin patch every October.  We've been going to the same farm every year since my son was a toddling one year old and I have so many fun memories from this place, and lots of cute images of the kids with their giant pumpkins (Blake always has to find the largest one that is almost too big to carry).  It has basically become a timeline of their growth, at Leah's first visit she was only two months old and I carried her around in a baby carrier to the field.

Our first year and my son as a toddling one year old.

3. Hiking
     We hike as a family as much as we possibly can.  If they weren't natural born hikers, we have turned them into one.  That's even what we do on vacation, find at least one great trail and go for a hike.  You never know what you're going to see, wildlife, creeks, ponds, and scenic views make it all worth it.  Fall is my favorite time to hike, not only are the trees gorgeous, but the bugs are fewer, and the weather is perfect.  A favorite hiking trail, or even a new one, would make for a great documentary photo session.

So this moment actually happened, I have proof that they were nice to each other! :)

 4. Fishing
      My husband is the big fisherman in the family, he was raised camping and fishing and that is his favorite relaxation activity, next to maybe a campfire and some cold beer. :)  I love watching them fish and seeing the kids reaction to the catch.  There is always a good story to come from a fishing trip, it helps to have a good photo for proof of the "one that got away".  Good times, good memories.

Her first fish.

5. Camping
     This should be in the number one spot, if I were putting these in any particular order.  Our best family memories all include camping trips.  Before the kids were born, we bought a pop up camper and it was the best investment we ever made.  It is an awesome, not to mention cheap, way to explore a new area.  We go on several trips every year, some are annual favorites, but we like to book a new campground whenever we can.

Our camping trips include sidewalk chalk and scooters.

 What's holding you back?  Time is passing and we only have our little ones for a little while.  Documentary photography has always been my passion and I would love to share it with you.  I'm sure you already have some fun activities planned for this fall.  Give me a call, message me on facebook, or shoot me an email so and we can discuss your session.

blueeyephotography@yahoo.com
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www.blueeyephotographybybridget.com
314-650-9121