Storytelling through Family Photography

There’s always a moment during the hustle and bustle of a photography session that I know I have captured a little bit of that specialness that is your family. Sometimes it’s in a glance between kids, the way dad sweeps up his littlest and plays or the way a toddler’s hand fits into moms just perfectly. It’s the magic that makes these pictures something more than everyone looking at the camera and smiling. It’s about capturing real life stories, specifically yours. And it’s why I love storytelling through family photography.

Several photos of a mom and her two kids in their home posing for documentary family photos.

Why Telling the Story of your Family Matters

There are just not enough hours in the day when you are raising kids. We are busy families, and the constant chaos of getting one child to dance practice and another to soccer across town makes taking time to take pictures by a professional even more difficult. But then the years go by and you realize your kids are changing. Every photo session is a chance to document the little unscripted memories. Documentary photos of your family will only grow in value in the years to come and as a New Orleans candid photographer, I can tell you the genuine photos will mean so much more than the posed ones.

Over the years, those shoe boxes filled with old photos get taken out and laughed and cried over. Your kids will love doing the same with their own childhood photos. If you are like me, you love looking at old photos of your grandparents when they were young surrounded by mid-century furniture and questionable lawn chairs. One of my favorite past times is watching the Instagram posts of the Anonymous Project. Curated by filmmaker Lee Shulman, the archive consists of color slides mostly from the 50’s, some would argue the golden age of color photography. These photos are a touching reminder of how much family matters to us all and how past generations are remembered through photos.

Why In-Home Family Sessions tell the Story of Your Family Best

As a New Orleans family photographer, I’m confident that my best work happens inside your home, no matter what your home looks like. I’ve photographed inside small, large and mid-size home and what I’m looking for most is a simple space next to a window for you all to cuddle together. The focus is on you, not your home so don’t sweat the little stuff. I see such a difference in the level of comfort and connection with my clients who open up their homes for photos. It’s that favorite chair in the corner or the breakfast table where everyone gathers that lead to heartfelt and connected photos that help in-home family session tell the story of your family in a way unique to only you.

A family of 5 laughing and playing as they pose for family photos in New Orleans.

Less Posing and More Fun Photography

Photography that focuses on storytelling or a more documentary approach leans into a photojournalism approach to capture real life images. And great news, I began my career as a photojournalist for 15 years at the New Orleans Times-Picayune before starting Twirl Photography. Documentary photos of your family and all those subtle moments that make a photo emotional and telling is my specialty.

The best part is this means less posing and sitting still during an in-home family session or a in a park. Something little kids (and teenagers) love. This means leaning into each other, jumping on the bed (feel free to add a cape) and playing with your kids. Less looking at me and more enjoying this moment in your family’s life. Another reason why I love being a storyteller through photography, you get to be yourself.

A mom and two daughters dancing in the sunset in a field in City Park in New Orleans.

Your Family Story is Perfect

Documenting family moments isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. I’ll photograph the beautiful ways you spend time together whether it’s in your home or walking around your favorite New Orleans neighborhood.

Your goal might be to get just one good photo of everyone looking at the camera, and we can definitely achieve your goal. However, my hope is to get so much more when you are vulnerable with each other. I want to capture your family looking a little more natural, candid and sometimes silly. I promise you these are the photos that will stand the test of time, bring you back to this moment and remind you why your kids are everything.

And if you need a little more convincing on why family photos matter check out this article in the Huffington Post: Why Photographs Matter.

Pictures of family photo albums in linen and leather for a story about how to display family portraits in your home.

The Best Storytelling Keepsake – Your Family Album

So what do you do with all these gorgeous moments and documentary photos of your family? I mean, we all want to see ourselves through a photographer’s eye. The little hands and silly dances make for emotional moments but how do you celebrate these pictures for years to come? You only have so much wall space!

Nothing does this better than a family album. A custom photo album or photo book is perfect to encapsulate all of these little and big memories. Your children will love jumping on your lap and flipping through your albums. The best part is they only get more valuable as the years pass by and will be a priceless heirloom for your family.

Take a look at some of my favorite ways on How to Display Family Portraits in Your Home including the beauty of a hand-crafted album here.

Documentary style family photos of a family of boys walking along the water's edge at the Lakefront in New Orleans.

Are You Ready to Tell the Story of Your Family?

Here’s a little checklist to ask yourself before you reach out for your next family session.

You hate posing for photos and you never know what to do with your hands.
You have a million photos on your phone but you are not in any of them.
You want to remember the beauty of your every day chaotic life.
You feel these days are passing way too quickly.
You are ready to hand over the reigns and trust an experienced New Orleans candid photographer to show you the beauty in your life.

If any of this resonates with you please contact me! When you book a photo session with me you’ll get honest, authentic and wonderful family photos that document the magic of your family at this moment in time.