It never fails, when I say "let's photograph your family at home", many people respond with something negative about their home. It's too messy, it's too small, it doesn't look like other people's homes, it needs a new kitchen, I need new furniture... the list is on going. The thing is, when people see the photos I take of my client's homes, they never judge them. They don't judge the size, the little messes, the rooms they don't see, the rooms they do see, the smiles, the tears, the people, the love, because there is nothing to judge.

Photos at home aren't there to make you feel less than, they are there to show you what you DO have! Photos at home are fun and relaxed. A photo session with me, done at your home, documenting your regular day highlights the realness, the authenticity to your portraits that aren't there when you stage activities your family doesn't usually do. Documenting your family in the place it is in right now makes children and partners WANT to be in the photos, allows for you to print photos that your kiddos can't wait to carry around.

When you look back at these photos, they will tell your family story, little puzzle pieces of memories you didn't know you forgot. The memories will be shared with "remember whens...." filled with game playing and book reading instead of "remember when mom was so angry we weren't smiling 'properly'".

Documentary family photography gives meaning to your photos.

This life you have created is yours, it is worth documenting, it is amazing and beautiful. The little messes and crumbs are important. You are important. Ferris Bueller was right when he said:

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

This is your time, your sign to book your Charlotte, NC photographer this year! If every other year you want staged "mini" sessions for a holiday card, do it, but give yourself the gift of documenting your family right now, exactly as they are and create memories in photo form that they can look back on and reflect, on how worthy their childhood is and your parenthood is.

I adored this family! When I created their slideshow I teared up. As a mom of girls myself, I loved spending the morning with them and remembering what it was like to have one little girl and a pup at home in those early days. How quiet and sweet those days were! Mom and dad are so involved and not only amazing parents, but have a beautiful partnership that still makes my face hurt when I smile thinking of them.

Thank you so much for reading along! I’m Sabrina, owner of Sabrina Jill Photography, a Charlotte NC photographer specializing in colorful and busy families in south central North Carolina. I hope you enjoyed the Documentary Family Photography I shared and if you are interested in talking with me more about a documentary family session, let’s connect. Not quite ready, but know you want to keep me in mind for the future? No problem! Follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my newsletter!

Sabrina serves Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties including: Charlotte | Lake Norman | Plaza Midwood | Ballantyne | Uptown | South End | Sedgefield | Davidson | Mooresville | Dilworth | Myers Park