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Kids Photography – Documentary Style
Documentary Photography –
Capture Childhood Authentically
The struggle is real… when we’re learning photography and trying to capture our kids while refining our skills, we can end up with very un-interested kids… ‘does mum have the camera out again?’
But there is a way around it… and today’s post will show you how!
I love this style of photography for capturing children because it allows us to record those small, everyday moments that are more easily forgotten in time than the big milestone events.
It pushes us to get creative in trying to make an artful image from an unposed moment. And as a result it offers the added benefit of not needing to pose our kids or interrupt their play.
One of our CLG Grads, Morvern Shaw lives in Scotland with her husband and two (seriously delicious) daughters.
She graduated from our Enthusiast Photography Course and our Advanced Photography Course in 2017.
She has a passionate drive to ensure her daughters have strong memories of their everyday childhood through photos. That passionate drive led her to embrace documentary photography.
Documentary Photography Approach
You want to snap the action where it happens… but you want pretty light.
You want to capture the moments as they happen… but how do you ensure strong compositions without interfering?
You want to photograph your subjects authentically… but they might still need some direction.
So how to do you set-up and shoot this style of photography for the best results?
Morvern does it beautifully, and she has some tips and tricks to combat all of the above and more.
Step One… Don’t Waste Your Fancy DSLR
“I got my first camera a short while after my first child was born.
I played with it in aperture priority mode for a few years. But I just couldn’t get my head around manual mode no matter how much I tried. I had also started to see shots that I would like to take, but they never came out how I envisaged.
I simply didn’t know how to make the camera take what I wanted it to.
When I discovered the Click Love Grow photography courses I knew it was exactly what I needed. So I enrolled in the Enthusiast, and then later the Advanced Photography Course.
It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.
I am now able to document my girls growing up in a way that I could never have done by myself.
I also have a hobby that gives me an escape from the stress of running my own small business whilst looking after two wee people.
DIY Photo Opportunities
I shoot for fun and to give the girls something tangible from their childhood to look back on.
Growing up, my mum had so many photo albums that we all looked through regularly. I am certain that is the reason I have such vivid childhood memories cemented in my mind.
I want my girls to have that too, and that’s what drives me to pick up the camera. My preferred approach is lifestyle/documentary, so I can tell the story of their childhoods and our day to day lives.
Related: Lifestyle Photography Secrets
Plan Family Outings
I regularly plan outings specifically with the intention of photographing it.
This is one of the things that I love most about my photography… it encourages us to explore new places and do things as a family that we might not otherwise think to do.
I often have an idea of what might look nice in photos, and then search for a location or activity that fits with my vision.
This shoot was exactly that…
I had seen a lot of apple picking shots from American photographers so I googled to see if there was an apple orchard nearby.
I discovered our local fruit picking place that we visit regularly for their strawberries, park and farm animals also had an apple orchard and sunflowers!
I had no idea until I went searching for it.
The sunflowers were a bonus as I love a pop of yellow in my photos.
Working With The Available Light
When you’re photographing in this way, you can’t ensure all the action happens in open shade.
I often wait around for soft light at these sessions, so I recommend allowing yourself a lot of time to do that.
The Golden Hour
You can also control the light somewhat by picking a time of the day when the sun is diffused. I planned this outing for late afternoon when the sun was getting low in the sky. However, the sun was still a little high when we started out, so it was reasonably strong (by UK standards!).
The initial shots were taken as the sun was popping in and out of the clouds.
By the time I took the shots with the sunflowers it was much more overcast and threatening to rain, hence the beautiful rainbow in one.
I actually had no idea I had caught it in the frame until I got them into post, a happy little surprise 
Related: How to Shoot in the Golden Hour
Sneaky Direction!
I think my top tip for this style of photography would have to be patience. If you want to catch genuine moments then you have to be prepared to sit back and wait and watch.
When I try to direct the girls or ask them to do something specific, they will often just say no.
Instead, I will draw them to pretty light or a pretty location. I do this by asking for their help with something, or showing them something that will interest them.
Then I simply step back and capture it. I’m also not averse to the odd bribe at times
In order to get them to stop for portrait shots without posing them, I aim to catch the girls when they have something to focus on.
When they had flowers or apples in their hands I could ask them to show them to me. This is a great way to get them to stop and encourage them to look at the camera.
Also Daddy is often behind me making some sort of silly face or other to catch their attention too. That’s his job along with carrying my gear!
Another tip is to take some test shots to get your settings ready, and decide how you want to compose a shot before you call them over. This way it only takes a few seconds to get what you need.
My girls also love to look at the shots on the back of the camera so I will let them do that.
This often encourages them to let me take another few shots. Sometimes my big girl will suggest shots she’d like to do, and it’s worthwhile doing them because in return she’ll then do the ones Mummy wants!
Creative Compositions
I love to get creative with my compositions, but this is challenging when you can’t control the set up.
I’ll often step back and shoot through something to frame the girls.
I find this is a great way to take a shot that might otherwise just be a snap and turn it into something more spectacular.
Also vary your angles, perspectives and distances. I shoot only with prime lenses, so this means I need to move around a lot. I swear anyone watching us when we are out must think I’m a crazy person!
I have been known to lie flat on my back in the middle of the park or a museum just to try a different angle.
For variation I also make sure I capture close up details such as the apples in their basket. This brings variety to the series, and helps tell the whole story. In fact capturing more details and close ups is something I am trying to work on this year.
Related: Storytelling Photography
The Perfect Documentary Lens
I shot this whole session on my Canon 85mm f/1.8. For this kind of session, 85mm is the perfect balance. It enables me to step back and capture the girls without interfering in what they’re doing, whilst still being close enough to to feel safe at times when it’s just the three of us.
For that reason, it’s my favourite lens. Also, beautiful bokeh!
CLICK HERE to download our lens buying guide to help you decide what's your next best purchase!
Settings
I prefer to shoot wide open and most of these shots were taken between f/1.8 and f/2.8.
If I could get away with using that lens indoors then it would literally never come off my camera. However, on my crop sensor it’s just a bit too tight. So my 35mm is my go to lens for indoors, and including wider scenes.
I try to keep my shutter speed above 1/160s at the least, but ideally 1/250s. That way I am always ready to catch them even if they are on the move.
If this session inspired you, head over to Instagram to see more of Morvern’s gorgeous photos!
And if you’d like to learn more about shooting in manual mode and improving your photography skills to capture your kids childhoods, check out our upcoming Enthusiast Photography Course
JOIN the Free 5 Day Mini Course
5 Days, 5 Videos Lessons = Photos You'll LOVE!
Learn How to Use Your DIGITAL Camera!
JOIN the Free 5 Day Mini Course
5 Days, 5 Videos Lessons = Photos You'll LOVE!
Learn How to Use Your DIGITAL Camera!
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