Documentary Family Photography
Relaxed sessions with no posing and no coaxing because real life is beautiful, as-is.
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"We're so thankful we had you come document our family. If anyone is considering hiring Amber to capture what your life looks like, I highly recommend her! She is easy to be around and makes the process very unobtrusive so you end up just living life like normal and hanging out with a very fun photographer friend."
MICK
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"I just wanted to tell you how completely in love I am with these images. This is such a precious gift you've create for us—especially at this time, with all that's going on in our lives. And the images came out so beautifully, full of the little details, expressions, and personal quirks we treasure in our girls. Thank you a thousand times over!"
PHILLIP
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"WOW, you're amazing!!! You're not only a professional photographer, you're a storyteller and you penned the story exactly how I would want to tell it and how we would want to remember it. You even filled in the blanks to the T! I didn't even see some of the moments happen, but I'll forever get to cherish them."
TRUDY
Family Sessions
Every Session includes a private Online Gallery of images for viewing and sharing + all high-resolution digital downloads (delivered within 3 weeks of Session date). Purchase of physical Prints, Canvas Wraps, and other products are available through Online Gallery and ship directly. Custom Albums are available as a Session add-on.
Up to 2hrs • 75+ images
To preserve your current season of life, some favorite activities together, and relaxed, “say cheese” portraits of the whole family.
Examples: preparing a meal together, eating around the dinner table, playing with favorite toys/stuffies, farm chores/yardwork, bathtime/bedtime routine with young kids, Saturday brunch, getting young kids dressed, swing set, trampoline, boardgames, etc.
Up to 2hrs • 75+ images
To preserve your current version of “school day”—teaching, learning, exploration, discovery, and family bonds that make your homeschool season & setting unique and memorable
Example: studies/lessons/handwriting at the table, a lap-full of kids for a read-aloud with mom, bake/sew something, barefoot nature study with magnifying glasses & sketchbooks in hand, music practice… or whatever is “normal” for your family right now
Up to 2.5 hours • 100+ images
To preserve multi-generational bonds, capture favorite memories/activities with grandparents, relaxed portraits of entire family together
Examples: Make and share a meal together, play a puzzle or game, look through family photo albums, share favorite memory stories around the livingroom, honor grandparent(s) in some way as a surprise, a favorite family pastime activity
Baby Sessions
Every Session includes a private Online Gallery of images for viewing and sharing + all high-resolution digital downloads (delivered within 3 weeks of Session date). Purchase of physical Prints, Canvas Wraps, and other products are available through Online Gallery and ship directly. Custom Albums are available as a Session add-on.
Up to 2hrs • 75+ images
To preserve your season of family life before the addition of Baby’s arrival, and relaxed portraits showcasing Mom’s baby belly
Examples: possibly in nursery folding little clothes, sorting baby books, having current siblings cuddling around baby belly, capturing dynamic of family awaiting Baby’s arrival
Limited Availability • 100+ images
In-home meet-up at 37 weeks, on call from 38 weeks with 24/7 access, present (to best of ability) to sensitively capture birth as it naturally unfolds from active labor through 1-2 hours after birth.
Examples: I’d be happy to answer specific questions you have about this type of coverage and share private images of past birth images I’ve photographed as samples, as I don’t post them here on the website. Please inquire about current availability.
Up to 2hrs • 75+ images
To preserve your season of family life with brand new Baby, and relaxed portraits and details of Baby. Could also serve as a “Meet the Siblings” Session for right after birth.
Examples: sleeping baby, sink/tub bath for baby, nursing/feeding, family holding baby, all family interactions and new dynamics with Baby around, diaper-changing in nursery, crying baby being consoled by parents, details of baby, capture items/gadgets around home.
Specialty Sessions
Every Session includes a private Online Gallery of images for viewing and sharing + all high-resolution digital downloads (delivered within 3 weeks of Session date). Purchase of physical Prints, Canvas Wraps, and other products are available through Online Gallery and ship directly. Custom Albums are available as a Session add-on.
Up to 1hr • 25+ images
Relaxed portraits with a documentary flair that give a glimpse into your personality, at location of choice, with props of choice. Could also serve as At-Home School Pictures for up to 4 children ($10 per additional child, and more than 1hr time availability);
Example: a couple different outfits, instrument/sport/other prop, cap & gown
Up to 3hrs • 100+ images
To capture documentary images of your guest interactions, activities, decor, etc. (No portraits or photobooth—just candid images and features of event as it unfolds naturally
Examples: birthday party, reunion, small corporate event, baby shower, anniversary party, homeschool event, surprise party, etc.
"This concept is really cool for other families, but..."
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Forget what you know about "photo shoots." If you know how to have fun & be comfortable with your family, that's all that matters. "Real life" is beautiful, as-is—no modeling experience required.
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I bet your husband has an aversion to "photo shoots" from a not-so-fun past experience that may or may not have involved matching outfits and cheesy poses. This is totally different—if your husband enjoys time with your family, all he has to do is live it up while I'm there. He'll probably forget there are even cameras around!
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Kids will be kids... And to be honest, some of my favorite, most memorable family images of clients & my own family are during "naughty" moments. Kids do hilarious, mischievous things worth documenting + any opportunity I have to capture moments of parenthood is beautiful. When I look back on my life, I know I'll treasure (and laugh at) even the frustrating moments—everything is fleeting and no one is perfect.
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Is anyone's house really "picture perfect" on a daily basis? Chances are, your home appears "lived in" and that is beautiful, dirty dishes and all. Some day, if/when your house looks like the magazine home you dream of, this current season will make that celebration even sweeter. Embrace it!
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Documenting the "boring" stuff is still important! A couple years ago, my husband and I were the least excited about our lives—living and working out of a small apartment we hated, not feeling fulfilled, no kids or pets. I'm so glad we had a photographer capture that season for us! Now that we have moved forward, we look back feeling encouraged. "Remember when..." seasons propel us.
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My husband and I are BOTH photographers and we STILL hire a photographer at least once or twice a year to document our life (even before we had any kids). Sure, self-timers are cool, but amazing, genuine images of your candid life are impossible without a third party. Later in life, your kids will want to see you IN photos with them. (You may feel uncomfortable on the other side of the camera, but you'll thank yourself later & maybe even shed a few tears.)