The more I learn and practice documentary family sessions, I’m realizing that I have a hybrid style. Meaning, I participate a little more than a true documentary photographer. Part of telling your story involves me inserting myself into your life for a few hours and trying to capture everyone’s personalities. And to see those personalities, everyone has to be comfortable!

It seems like every family photographer is a ‘lifestyle’ or ‘documentary’ photographer, or both. (Myself included!) I think the terms get misinterpreted and are too often used interchangeably, when they actually are two very different styles.