Category Archives: documentary

Philadelphia Extended Family Photography | The Whole Family

This extended family session, from a few months ago, is one of my favorites. We met up in Philadelphia at one of their homes and it felt so warm and relaxed from the start. Everyone sat around on the floor, with the kids of course being the center of attention. There was food, conversation, and lots and lots of laughter.

I love documentary sessions, and shooting in this style has really made me fall in love with multigenerational sessions. To be honest, I used to struggle with large family shoots like this. Making sure everyone was looking happy in the group shots, capturing enough of each family member; it felt overwhelming. But being able to capture an entire family candidly, changed that for me. Now I think there is something even more special when the whole extended family is included in a session.

On this day, there were so many wonderful moments to capture of everyone just being together. We headed outside into the city for a few more traditional posed photos, but my favorites are undoubtedly those that I captured in the in between moments. I loved seeing the grandparents play and cuddle on the floor with the grandkids, the excitement of cousins as they were reunited, and the raucous rounds of board games – from both the kids and adults. It was a joyful, happy day and hopefully these photographs will help them all to remember that day forever.

 

grandparents cuddling with grandkids

extended family photos

extended family playing on the floor

Philadelphia extended family photography

philadelphia extended family photography

Philadelphia extended family photography

If you are interested in booking an extended family session, contact me today and let’s chat!

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Philadelphia Documentary Family Photographer | A Morning At Home and On the Town

I adore a documentary session in a family’s home. There is no better way to make kids feel completely comfortable in front of my camera. I love getting a personalized tour of their rooms and hearing all about their favorite toys. It was so sweet how this big sister was excited to show me the photos she’d taken herself. And little brother was equally happy to pretend to drive his truck into my lens. For kids who might take a bit longer to warm up to new people, I think this is even more of a benefit! It really gives them the opportunity to get to know me at their own pace, on their own turf.

Even though I love them, I know that not every family is ready for a 100% documentary session. I get it. So the sort of session that this family decided on, with some time to play at home, combined with a stroll through the neighborhood, can be a perfect compromise. It gives a taste of both documentary and lifestyle, and still gives the kids plenty of time to relax and just have fun.

These kids were so adorable with each other. Big sister was so sweet, giving her brother hugs and encouraging him throughout the shoot. The way they looked at each other just melted my heart and I loved being able to capture that. I hope you enjoy taking a peek into their lives as much as I enjoyed documenting it.

Spring is just around the corner! If you are interested in booking a documentary session, a lifestyle session, or a combo, contact me today!

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Penn Valley Family Photographer | The Magic Hour

little boy riding bike through kitchen
art work hung on walls and little boy on bike in home
mom and sun smiling in home
boy on bike in home
toddler in home on bike
little boys treasure hunt in home
toddler's hands full of stuffed animals
brothers playing in house and little boy on couch with toys
toddler being thrown in the air in front of a house
boys playing on swing set in backyard
toddler about to go down slide
big brother pushing little brother in toy car
family in field
brothers running in field and dad and son playing in field
boy being held upside down in field
boy sitting with mom, sucking thumb
toddler and dad
family climbing on mom in field
brothers and family playing in field
brothers hugging in field and boy holding yellow flower
family running through field at sunset
family rough housing in field at sunset
father and son snuggling in field at sunset
family posed photo at sunset
parents chasing boys in a field at sunset
boy standing outside in a field and family snuggling in field at sunset
parents watching boys run through field at sunset
mom and dad watching kids play in field at sunset
boys kissing their mom outside at sunset
toddler running in field at sunset with stuffed animal in his back pocket
dad holding big brother upside down with mom and little brother in background
little brother running to family at sunset in field
toddler peeking through grass in field with family in the background
toddler hugging mom's legs
couple hugging in field and little boy snuggling with parents in the grass
brothers sitting in grass, smiling
family in field at sunset
mom and dad cuddling in field while sons play and mom cuddling with toddler boy
family heading back to house and toddler boy standing at backdoor
toddler boy touching flower and smiling
toddler boy eating at kitchen table and feeding mom and family in kitchen with son riding bike

Outside of a fun and happy family, there are two things that I really, really love in a session; time documenting a family at home and magic hour light. This session has both. So, it’s no surprise that I’m completely in love with the images we captured.

In their home, I loved photographing the boys at their most relaxed. There, they didn’t have to worry about posing. They played with their toys, had a dance party and rode a bike through the kitchen. I also loved documenting the impermanent details of family life; the art work strung up on the wall, little arms loaded with precious toys, and the remnants of a treasure hunt.

When everyone was ready, we headed out back. After a brief stop at the play set, we ended up in the most beautifully sun drenched field I’ve ever seen. Seriously, when I push families to have their session at sunrise or sunset, this is the magical light that I’m thinking about. There is just no substitute. There, the boys picked flowers and snuggled/climbed on mom and dad. The whole session was so relaxed and happy and I just love how that comes through in these photos.

Want to plan a session at home, at magic hour, OR a session that includes a little bit of both? Contact me and let’s chat!

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Wyndmoor Documentary Family Photographer

wyndmoor documentary family photography
boy on windowsill in home documentary
documenting family wyndmoor
family documentary photography kitchen
boy peeking over counter in home session
artwork and food prep in home session
steam on tea in home session
family gathered around table documentary session
boys playing card game in home documentary session
wyndmoor family documentary session
family gathered around table in home photography session
kids in home documentary family photography
boy on bed in home family photography
dad and son documentary family photography
carrying magnatiles downstairs family photography
boy building with magnatiles photojournalistic family session
magnatile house in home session wyndmoor
mom and son in home family session
boy smiling in home session
cuddling in home family photography
mom and son snuggling on couch in home family session
boys playing game in home session
boys feet in home photography session
brothers in home photography session
family on couch in home family photography in wyndmoor

Since Florence’s very first day of school in September, she has had a best friend named Peter. At the beginning of the year, I loved arriving early to pick her up so that I could watch them playing together on the playground. She would come home telling me stories about how she and Peter had to be separated because they wouldn’t stop talking during story time. I’m pretty sure they still aren’t allowed to sit next to each other for that part of the day. Apart from that though, they are really just adorable together.

I needed a volunteer family for an in home documentary session, and Peter’s family immediately came to mind. It was so much fun hanging out with them for a bit in their home. The older boys played a card game and Peter made a tower with his magnatiles. Peter also gave me the grand tour of their house, and he even showed me the attic! He was an excellent host.

I love how each of the boys’ personalities come through in the photos. Have I mentioned that these sorts of in home sessions are my favorite? They are. I love how comfortable kids are in their own space; how there is no fighting about posing and smiling for the camera. Everything just sort of happens organically. If you are interested in booking a session like this for your family, contact me and let’s chat!

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My name is Katie! I love color and pretty light and happy faces and sessions that include all of those things. Photographing families like yours, capturing the essence of what makes you unique, is my passion. I want to get to know you and to tell a story that is authentically yours.  

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