5 misconceptions about a "day in the life session".
Documentary sessions are beautiful and honest but sometimes misunderstood. There are a lot of misconceptions about what they are all about and how they are done. Hopefully if any of these reasons were what was keeping you from going ahead and booking a Day In The Life Session, today is the day to get past them.
- 1- My family is too boring.
The beautiful thing about a Day in the Life Session is that it is not a cookie cutter mold where one mold fits all; no two families are the same and every story is unique. Sometimes we confuse mundane with boring. Yeah, I will document your daily "routine", and you will be able to see it through a different perspective. Think about what are your most treasured childhood memories. Roasting hot dogs with your family in your backyard, playing with your first puppy, playing softball with your family through the years, camping every summer as a family, cooking with your Dad and etc...all simple activities that brought the family together and strengthened those loving bonds. Wouldn't you love to have the images to match the memories? To actually see what that really looked like? What a wonderful gift for your children. So no, a Day in The Life Session is not BORING.
- 2. I Won't look good.
A concern some people have is that they won't look good in their pictures. They think: "day in the life" equates to "natural". What do I mean by natural? No makeup, wearing pajamas all day. Well, if that is you, by all means (there is nothing wrong with that; I wish I could wear my pajamas all day sometimes). Otherwise you are allowed to put on nice clothes, makeup and even some perfume (the pictures will have a special smell if you do, I promise). And even if you don't wear makeup everyday, there are no rules. Put it on if it will make you feel beautiful. This is about you and your family, you make the rules.
- 3. What am I going to do home all day?
Like I said before, there are no rules. We don't need to stay home all day. We can, if you want, but it's up to you. What activities do you enjoy doing as a family? We can go to the park, to the zoo, to the museum, grab some ice-cream, blow some bubbles, go to a movie, dance lessons, piano lessons, soccer. You get the idea. It's your day and you get to choose how you want to spend it. In our house Saturdays are a very busy day filled with activities. If I wanted variety and to show my children how their Saturdays were spent as they were growing up; that would be the day I would choose to document.
- 4- I won't feel comfortable having someone following me all day.
When you invite someone inside your home and into your family, it can be scary. That is the place where you let down your guard and is the most vulnerable. That is why it is so important to feel comfortable with your photographer. Research, look at my website, talk to me on the phone, let's grab some hot chocolate and get to know each other before the session. Make sure I am a good fit for your family. If I am, this will be an experience that you will look back with fondness. I will be part of your family for that day so you will be comfortable just because I will fit in.
" Building trust and gaining access is the foundation to photojournalism. You must approach these types of sessions as that of a photojournalist and completely immerse yourself into the family"- Kirsten Lewis
- 5- I don't have a perfect family.
Do you love your family? If the answer is yes, then you do have a perfect family. It doesn't matter if you are a single parent or not. If you are a stay at home mom or if you work. Families come in every shape and size but we all have one thing in common. That unmeasurable feeling of love that flows through us when we hold that little being for the first time. All families are beautiful and deserve to have that loving relationship documented. And yes, there will be temper tantrums along the way, just to spice it up a little.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer any other questions you have regarding this.