I recently came across this meme making the rounds on social media, and I had to laugh— it’s just so relatable.

If you’ve ever had traditional family photos taken, you’ve probably experienced everything it listed (I know I have!). But as I chuckled, a thought stuck with me: Why do we just accept this as part of family photos?

I can honestly say the struggles in that meme aren’t part of the documentary family photography experience. Sure, kids might lose their minds — but not because of the session. That’s just life with little ones, right? And instead of meltdowns over posing, I usually have kids asking where their “friend with a camera” went once I leave.

The beauty of documentary family photography is that there’s no need to dress up, pose, or stress. You just live your life, and I capture the magic already happening. No more pressure than any other day of raising tiny humans.

There’s a place for all styles of photography, and each serves a different purpose. But if your family photo sessions always feel like the meme come to life, maybe it’s time to try something different.

Stop stressing over outfits, behavior, and picture-perfect moments. Just be. Your everyday is already beautiful. And the photos that come from it? They’ll be real, meaningful, and the kind of memories you’ll cherish forever.

What a typical family documentary photo session with me is like. You do your thing and I do mine 🙂  Photo credit: Nicki Navarro