Some families are built for perfectly posed portraits. And some families are built for sandy feet, snack breaks, kids running full speed in the opposite direction, dog leashes wrapped around everyone’s legs, and the kind of belly laughs that happen when nobody is being told to “just smile normal” (I looove the second kind!).
Because when it comes to family photos…or really any photos, I’m way more interested in documenting your actual life than forcing everyone into a version of your family that only exists for the camera. The real stuff is always better anyway.
Documentary style family photos are all about:
- The toddler who wants to collect rocks for 20 minutes.
- The baby who will only smile when their big sibling makes the world’s weirdest noise.
- The way your kid reaches for your hand without thinking.
- The endless shoulder snuggles.
And if you’re local to Portsmouth, visiting for the weekend, or making your way around the New Hampshire Seacoast with your favorite people, this is your sign to turn the season you’re already living into photos you’ll be really freaking glad you have.
What Are Documentary Style Family Photos?
I’ll be so honest for a second (honestly, when am I not?!)… There are a lot of different opinions out there when it comes to what documentary style is and isn’t. For me, I believe that documentary style photos are simply photos that focus on what’s real.
Instead of spending the whole session trying to get everyone perfectly posed and looking at the camera, this style gives your family space to move, play, cuddle, explore, and interact naturally.
That doesn’t mean I show up, hide behind a tree, and leave you to wonder what the heck you’re supposed to do with your hands.
I’ll still guide you, help with the flow, find the good light, suggest where to stand, and give you little prompts when you need them. But the goal isn’t to make your family look like everyone else’s family photos.
My goal is to make your photos feel like your actual crew. Maybe a little silly, sentimental and a little wild.
Why Documentary Family Photography Works So Well
If you’ve ever thought, “I want family photos, but my kids will never sit still,” I have good news. They don’t need to!
In fact, please don’t spend your whole session trying to make them.
Documentary family photography works because it makes room for your family to act like your family. Your kids can run, explore, warm up slowly, need a snack, get shy, be goofy, ask questions, pick flowers, chase each other, or decide that a stick they found is now the main character.
We’ll work with it.
Because at the end of the day, the real goal is to create a session where everyone feels comfortable enough to be themselves, and usually, that’s when the best photos happen!
Family Photos That Feel Like a Portsmouth Day, Not a Photoshoot
One of the reasons I love photographing families in Portsmouth, NH, is because this town makes it so easy to turn your session into an actual experience.
You don’t have to drive somewhere random, take photos for an hour, and call it a day.
You can make a whole little memory out of it.
- Start with coffee downtown.
- Wander by the water.
- Let the kids run around somewhere with space to breathe.
- Grab ice cream after.
- Make a beach picnic out of it.
- Bring the dog if they’re part of the family, too.
That’s why I created my Portsmouth, NH guide in the first place. Portsmouth is full of good food, cozy coffee shops, beachy little adventures, downtown corners, and Seacoast spots that already feel like a day worth remembering.
And if you’re planning family photos here, that guide is a great place to start.
Whether you’re local or visiting, your session can be built around the kind of day your family would actually enjoy. No stiff studio backdrop required.
Just your people, a place that makes sense for you, and photos that bring you right back to this exact season of life.
A Few Documentary Style Family Sessions I Love
Every family session looks a little different because every family brings their own energy.
Some families are all movement and laughter. Some are snuggly and slow. Some have kids who take a few minutes to warm up. Some arrive ready to sprint directly toward the water.
This family is such a sweet example of what happens when we let the session unfold naturally instead of trying to force every moment.
This family session is is a great example of how documentary family photos can still feel beautiful, intentional, and polished without being overly posed.
And this family session shows how connection is what truly matters when it comes to the documentary-style.
A Few Questions I Get Often About Documentary Style Family Sessions
1. I know you’re wondering… Do we still get any photos where everyone looks at the camera?
Yes. Absolutely.
I know that sometimes you do want one good photo where everyone is looking at the camera for the fridge, the holiday card, the grandparents, or your own “can we please prove we were all here together?” moment.
We can do that, the difference is that those photos won’t take over the entire session.
We’ll usually grab a few simple, everyone-together photos, and then we’ll move into the more natural stuff. The playing. The walking. The snuggling. The real expressions. The photos that feel less like “everybody say cheese” and more like “oh my gosh, that is so us.”
A little structure is helpful. But a whole session of stiff posing is not my thing & if that is the vibe you’re looking for, reach out anyways and I can point you to some of my pals in the area that love photographing that type of session!
2. What If My Kids Are Wild, Shy, Tired, or Fully Over It?
First of all, welcome. Second of all, that is so normal.
Kids are kids, they have big feelings, tiny attention spans, strong opinions, and deeply specific snack preferences. I do not expect them to show up and act like tiny adults for family photos.
- If they’re wild, we let them move.
- If they’re shy, we give them time.
- If they’re tired, we slow down.
- If they need a break, we take one.
- If they decide they only want to be held, honestly, that can be beautiful too.
This is one of the BIGGEST reasons I love documentary family photography. It takes the pressure off everyone needing to behave perfectly and lets the session become more about connection than control.
You don’t have to spend the whole time correcting your kids, you get to be in the photos with them!
Where to Take Documentary Style Family Photos in Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth is such a good spot for family photos because you can build the session around what your family already likes doing.
If your crew loves being near the water, we can head toward the beach, harbor, or coastline. If your kids need space to move, we can choose somewhere with room to run.
If you’re visiting Portsmouth for the weekend, we can turn part of your trip into a session so you’re not just documenting what everyone looked like. You’re documenting what it felt like to be here together.
And if you need ideas for what to do before or after your session, I put together a full Portsmouth, NH guide with favorite places to eat, explore, and make a day of it.
Looking for Family Photographers in NH?
If you’re comparing family photographers in NH or searching for photographers in Portsmouth because you want photos that feel more natural, more relaxed, and more like your actual life, hi. I’m Erica.
I’m a New Hampshire photographer based near Portsmouth, and I photograph families, couples, weddings, and elopements throughout New England.
My approach to family photos is pretty simple: I want you to feel taken care of without feeling micromanaged. I’ll guide you when you need it, step back when the moment is happening on its own, and make the whole thing feel less like a formal photoshoot and more like a fun little pocket of time with your favorite people.
Whether your family is playful, snuggly, shy, loud, adventurous, snack-motivated, or all of the above, there’s room for all of it here.
