An Unposed, Unscripted Photo Session: Here’s What That Actually Looks Like
What if you and your family didn’t have to perform for the camera? No stiff poses, no matching outfits, and no saying “cheese”. Just a normal day – messy hair, mismatched socks, real laughter, maybe a tantrum – and someone photographing it all with care and intention.
That’s the heart of documentary family photography. It’s what I do at Portray Your Story, and why many thoughtful, connection-seeking families in and around London choose this style. If you’ve ever felt awkward in front of the lens or wondered whether your everyday moments are really “photo worthy,” I want to gently remind you: they are.
So let’s take a closer look at what makes this approach different, and why it might feel like a breath of fresh air – especially if you or your children need a little more time, patience, and space to feel at ease.
Not Into Posing? Me Neither. Here’s Why.
When families first get in touch with me, many are hesitant. They might say things like:
- “I’m not great in front of the camera.”
- “I don’t want to feel like everything is staged.”
- “What if my child doesn’t want to participate?”
And I absolutely get that. This is one of the reasons I love documentary-style photography – because it doesn’t ask you to be anything but yourself. No pretending. No performance. Just presence.
It’s not about catching you off guard either. It’s about creating a space where you can genuinely relax, knowing I’m not here to judge, direct, or manufacture moments. I’m here to notice. To witness. To connect with your rhythm and document the layers of your family’s everyday. To connect with your rhythm and document the layers of your family’s everyday. To see everyone’s unique personality, what your relationships are like, and the love you have for each other — which shows up in so many ways, from wiping a snotty nose, to the patience in a tough moment, to a big almighty cuddle.
And here’s the truth: kids don’t need to behave perfectly for your photos to be beautiful. Toddlers can have tantrums, teens can retreat quietly, and partners can come along a little reluctantly — it’s all welcome. Nothing surprises me, and nothing throws me. I’m a parent myself, so I’ve seen, heard, and smelled it all. You don’t have to change who you are. You don’t have to be any different. At the end of the day, everyone will have enjoyed the time together more than they expected, and the photos will reflect that ease.
How Does Documentary Compare to other types of family photography?
It helps to understand how documentary family photography differs from other popular approaches. Two of the most common types of family photography are studio portraits and lifestyle photography, so let me share the differences:
Studio Photography
- Look: Highly polished, posed, often with coordinated outfits and backdrops.
- How it works: You go to a studio, where the photographer controls the lighting, posing, and overall look.
- Direction given: High — the photographer tells you exactly where to sit, how to pose, and when to smile.
- Outcome: Formal, portrait-style images that feel timeless but may not reflect your family’s everyday life or personality.
Lifestyle Photography
- Look: Natural and relaxed, often shot at home (commonly near windows or on the bed) or at a beautiful outdoor location, but with some prompting and direction to create moments that look candid. Outfits are often chosen to be a little more special than everyday wear.
- How it works: The photographer might suggest activities (like reading together on the couch) or ask for a specific pose (like holding your baby near the window) that feels casual.
- Direction given: Moderate — the goal is to make it look unposed, but the flow is very much guided.
- Outcome: Beautiful, light-filled images that look spontaneous, but are still stylised and curated.
Documentary Photography
- Look: Real, raw, and authentic — nothing is staged or planned. You can wear whatever you like from Pyjama’s, a tutu, to your favourite pair of jeans.
- How it works: I join your family in your real environment (at home, outdoors, or a mix of both) and document what naturally unfolds.
- Direction given: None — I don’t pose, prompt, or orchestrate. I follow your family’s rhythm.
- Outcome: Honest images that capture not only what life looked like, but how it felt — chaos, tenderness, quirks, and all.
Each style has its own value and beauty, and there’s no wrong choice as long as it aligns with what you love about family photography. But if you want photographs that feel deeply personal and true-to-life, documentary is often the most powerful choice.
So… What Is Documentary Family Photography Exactly?
Documentary family photography is based on photojournalism. It is sometimes also called reportage style or candid. What it means in practice is that as a documentary family photographer, I do not manipulate the scene or adjust the background. Nor will I ask you to do any posing. Instead, I let the beauty of everyday life unfold itself while I try to capture its magic in a creative and beautiful way. Let me walk you through what documentary family photography is and what it’s not, with some more depth. So that you know exactly what to expect when you invite me into your world.
1. Real Moments, Not Manufactured Ones
I photograph what’s really happening – whether that’s your toddler helping make pancakes, your son curled up with a book, your daughter playing hairdresser with your hair, or your teen rolling their eyes in that familiar way.
The session unfolds based on your own family rhythms. I won’t tell you where to sit or what to do. Instead, I’m observing your connections and personalities, guided by instinct, experience, and always looking at how best I can capture it so that it will be not only a beautiful, composed image but also one that tells the story well.
To be able to capture this, you do not have to ignore me; instead, I am a part of your day. We can chat, make jokes, and get to know each other better so that you feel a friend is there to take the photos.
2. Emotion, Personality, and Connection Lead the Way
The most meaningful photographs are the ones that make your feel. In every session, I’m leaning into the emotions in the room – not just smiles or giggles, but quiet, tender, chaotic, tired, vibrant, silly, soulful… everything in between.
Your kids don’t have to “perform” or pretend to be happy. They get to be themselves, which is exactly the point. And you get to be in the photos too — not just the one holding the camera or standing on the sidelines. Documentary photography makes sure you are part of the story, fully present in the images your children will one day treasure.
My goal is to reflect you all, in a way that feels familiar and affirming, not polished or performative. You’ll see your personalities in these images, and you’ll remember how it felt to be together – not just how it looked.
3. Artistic While Honest: I’m Always Watching the Light and Composition
While I won’t direct scenes, I do bring my trained eye to each frame. I’m looking for great light, strong composition, and of course, a good moment – those emotional beats that tell a story.
Having studied documentary filmmaking and cultural anthropology, I love complex, intimate human moments. I edit minimally, keeping things true to life. No body altering, no background erasing, no cloning. Just honest photography, as it happened. This will give you images that will stand the test of time and will look good even years from now.
4. Done in Your Own Space, On Your Schedule
Most documentary sessions happen in and around your home – the setting where life actually unfolds. We might dip out to your favourite park or grab ice cream down the road, and that’s lovely, but we always start somewhere familiar.
The beauty of family documentary photography that it will capture the things and places that you love. It will capture your children’s favourite toys, their private spaces like their bedrooms. It will show those flowery curtains you hate, but that are etched on your children’s memories from playing hide and seek. Your house is a place full of memories and the objects that instantly make you feel at home. Documentary photography is a wonderful way to capture your kids’ childhood home and all the things they loved about it – and you do not have to clean it any more than you’d normally do.
If you want to go outdoors then we can go to places that are meaningful to you and your family. Or if you are someone who always likes to explore new places, then I am completely okay with this as well. What is important is that what we photograph reflects your family and shows what you are all about.
Sessions are flexible and unhurried. I offer half-day or full-day sessions. We start with a pre-session call and a questionnaire, which help me understand your family dynamics, preferences, and what kinds of moments matter most to you. We might have a rough plan (like “we’ll be making lunch around noon”) but the rest flows naturally, fitting into your routines instead of asking you to change them.
5. Safe, Supportive, and Judgment-Free
My approach is especially well-suited for children (and adults) who don’t thrive on structure or enforced smiling. Families with autistic or neurodivergent members often find these sessions more comfortable because there’s no pressure to “perform.”
I photograph with empathy and integrity. That means:
- No stereotyping
- No assumptions
- No judgement
You are welcome exactly as you are. If your child needs quiet time, if your partner would rather hang back, or if the mood changes halfway through — it’s all part of the story. Every feeling is valid, and often the most “unplanned” moments end up being the most meaningful images.
What is a good time for documentary family photography?
Often, families hire a photographer for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or milestones. These are wonderful and important moments to photograph, and I absolutely love being a part of them as a photographer. However, don’t wait for those “big” moments to book a photographer. It’s also about the everyday moments — the parts of life that might not feel special enough to be in a picture. But here’s the truth: your life as it is, with all its ups and downs, is what your kids will remember most. Children grow and change so quickly, and the routines you take for granted today will be memories not too long from now. That’s why documentary family photography is meaningful at any point in the year and at any stage of your life.
Why It Matters: Everyday Moments Are Worth Remembering
When I became a mother, I realised quickly how slippery time can be. The rituals, the routine chaos, the in-jokes, the fleeting faces… they shift so quickly. And when I look back, it’s never the fancy portraits I reach for first. It’s the real-life ones. The ones that feel like life felt.
We often think photos need to be planned or perfect to have value. But the opposite is true: the seemingly small, mundane moments, your everyday is where the magic actually happens.
That’s why I believe documentary family photography is a gift. Your everyday life — the silly, the chaotic, the tender — is not only enough, it’s extraordinary. And years from now, your children and grandchildren will flip through albums and see not just what life looked like, but what it felt like to be part of it. And that’s where documentary family photography becomes a gift – not just for now, but for generations to come.
Want to Be Photographed Without Pretending?
If documentary family photography speaks to you – if you’re yearning for images that reflect your life’s warmth, quirks, and quiet poignancy – I’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch by sending me a message. We can chat about what a session might look like for your family, and how I can step into your world – like a friend with a camera.
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