What Is Documentary
Photography?
Documentary photography allows real life to unfold with no direction.
How many times have your kids had to stop what they are doing to get a picture? They don't like it, do they?
THIS is the beauty of documentary. No stopping for pictures. Just live. Just be. I'm watching and clicking.
Documentary photography is easy for the folks in the frame. You don't have to look at me. No cheesy smiles. Just keep on doing what you're doing. I see you.
There is a misconception that documentary photography doesn't produce wall worthy images. I beg to differ.
These are the kinds of memories I want of my children 20 years from now. I want images of them doing what they love to do.
“For me, the camera is a sketchbook, an instrument
of intuition and spontaneity. ”
Some common hangups concerning documentary photography:
“You can’t really get portraits of my kids if you only shoot documentary.”
This is simply not true. The best portraits you will ever have of your kids will be taken while they are doing something they love.
“My house is really messy.”
Believe me, I completely understand. My house is messy, too. I work hard to compose my images to bring out the beauty and cause distractions to fade. A messy house is not a problem.
“What about Christmas card pictures?”
I know that everyone wants a few Christmas card pictures and I always take the time to grab some of those shots. You will have your Christmas card shots, but so much more than that. Those shots require less than 30 minutes of our time. The rest of our time will be spent doing real life.