“Documentary” Style Storytelling Sessions
The pitter patter of little feet on the floor, tip toes reaching up to grab milk from the counter, the way your toddler’s nose crinkles when they laugh, or how they climb into your lap and sit to read a book. Your every day life is filled with small moments that are not usually captured on camera, but are the moments you will want to return to in years when this fleeting season has come and gone.
Whether it’s the laughter shared over breakfast, a quiet afternoon reading on the couch, or a spontaneous dance party in the living room, these ordinary moments are exactly what storytelling sessions aim to capture—moments that tell your family’s unique story with authenticity and grace.
You would be surprised at how much beauty there is in the small moments of your “ordinary” day. This is the essence of a storytelling session.
What is a storytelling session?
A storytelling session is a window into your family’s everyday world. Unlike traditional posed photography, these sessions focus on documenting genuine interactions and activities, creating a visual narrative of your life as it unfolds. The goal is to capture the beauty in the mundane, the extraordinary in the ordinary, and the magic that lives in the moments we often overlook. The storytelling session is designed to blend seamlessly into your every day activities, capturing the warmth and spontaneity of your family’s interactions without interruption.
Storytelling sessions are documentary style sessions that capture the real, raw moments between your family. They are unposed and unscripted. During a Storytelling session, I will arrive at your home or an agreed upon location and simply be a “fly on the wall” as I photograph your family interacting with each other. I will capture the connection you share with your family in the normal activities you do every day: walking your dog, bath time, cooking together, reading stories, play time, gardening and everything in between!
For a storytelling session, I will give less direction and simply let your family interact together. However, it is nice to have an activity planned to do together. These should be an activities that you do frequently together that come naturally. I would suggest planning a couple of simple activities. For example, one family I photographed recently always gets donuts on Saturday mornings – it’s a little tradition that is special for their family! So, what did we do?! We read books, played, blew bubbles outside and ate their Saturday morning donuts during their storytelling session – it was MAGIC!
What to Wear: A Few Simple Guidelines
When styling for a storytelling session, wear what makes you feel at ease!
To ensure the photos have a cohesive and timeless quality, consider opting for neutral clothing without logos or bold colors.
Neutral tones—like soft grays, beiges, whites, and gentle pastels—work beautifully to create a timeless aesthetic. They allow the emotional connections and activities to shine through, rather than competing with bright or patterned clothing.
Beauty in the “Ordinary”
In a world obsessed with perfect, posed images, these sessions remind us that the true magic lies in our day-to-day experiences. The way a child’s eyes light up with excitement, the tender hug between siblings, or the simple act of sharing a meal—all of these moments are extraordinary in their own right.
A storytelling session isn’t just about creating beautiful photographs; it’s about celebrating and cherishing the everyday moments that make up your family’s story. It’s about capturing the laughter, the love, and the little details that, while they may seem ordinary, are actually quite extraordinary.
In the end, it’s these candid, heartfelt photographs that will remind you of the love and joy shared in your everyday moments, long after they’ve passed.
