Documentary style photography captures moments without any intervention from the photographer, focusing on authentically documenting real-life situations as they unfold.

In my work, both Events and Day in the Life sessions are shot entirely in this documentary style, allowing me to capture the genuine emotions and natural interactions of your family. On the other hand, my Portrait sessions employ a more pseudo-documentary approach, where I provide gentle direction while still aiming to capture authentic moments of joy and connection.

If you’re looking for family portraits without the hassle of picking outfits, choosing a location, and worrying about finding that perfect pose, a Day in the Life photo session is for you! This intimate experience captures the essence of your family's daily routine through completely candid, unposed moments. All you need to do is plan a couple of activities during our session, and I’ll handle the rest, showcasing the joy, chaos, and raw emotions that define your family’s journey.

For my portrait sessions, I aim to create posed portraits that feel as authentic and natural as possible. While I will provide some guidance to set the scene, I encourage organic interactions to unfold, allowing me to capture genuine moments. For instance, I might place a family on a tire swing at the park or have them stroll casually along the beach, all the while focusing on their interactions. If you're a sporty family, I may suggest bringing a football or soccer ball to play with for a few minutes, capturing the joyful moments that emerge. Likewise, if you have small children who need a quick snack or play break, I’ll continue to document those precious, fleeting moments that reveal your family's unique bond.

Day in the Life sessions are longer to authentically capture the richness of your family’s daily experiences and showcase the unique magic you share. These extended sessions allow me to document a full range of interactions, from morning routines and playtime to shared meals and quiet moments, creating a beautiful narrative of your life together.

Having more time also embraces spontaneity, allowing genuine moments to unfold without the pressure of a tight schedule. This way, I can capture the joyous chaos and real emotions that highlight the special memories and magic of your family’s unique story.

Yes, I do offer a pre-session consultation! This meeting is a valuable opportunity for us to fine-tune the details of your session, including the time, date, and location. It also allows us to address any questions or concerns either of us may have, ensuring that we’re fully prepared and aligned for an enjoyable experience.

My Portrait sessions are generally held about an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset, during the so-called "magic hour." This timing ensures the best lighting for your photos while minimizing squinting. However, if you need to schedule a session outside of these times, I’m happy to accommodate and find a solution that works for you.

For Event sessions, we'll plan to meet at the specific time of the event itself or slightly before.

Day in the Life sessions, being longer, can start at whatever time you choose. However, for 30-minute mini backyard shoots, I would still recommend aiming for the magic hour to take advantage of the beautiful lighting.

Absolutely, I can help you pick a location! Whether you have a specific place in mind or need ideas, I'm here to assist. I can suggest locations that align with your vision and suit the style of your session, ensuring we choose a setting that complements your family's story beautifully. Just let me know what you’re considering, and we’ll work together to find the perfect spot!

If you've booked a Day in the Life photography session, there's no need to stress about everyone's outfits. Just try to avoid clothing with large images or text if you can, and prioritize comfort for everyone.

For Portraits, avoid matching outfits, like jeans and white shirts, as they can create a dated look. Instead, choose a unified color scheme like warm fall tones, soothing blues and neutrals, or bold colors. Coordinating within the same palette will help everyone look great together! (Rest assured, I will ensure you all shine in the final images, even if some variation occurs.)

Anything goes! While I recommend selecting activities that you typically enjoy as a family, you have complete freedom to choose whatever you like. Whether you opt for several short activities or focus on one longer one, you can decide to be indoors or outdoors, at home, or at a special location that holds meaning for your family, such as your local park, a leisurely neighborhood walk, or your favorite beach. Below, I've included a list of ideas for inspiration, but remember, these are just suggestions! You're welcome to choose any activities that resonate with you. The possibilities are endless!

Outside Activities

• Backyard Play Day

• Day at the Park or Beach

• Running Through Sprinklers

• Making Smores

• Water Balloon or Water Gun Fights

• Playing Fetch with the Dog

• A Game of Soccer or Basketball

• Sidewalk Chalk

• Blowing Bubbles or a Bubble Machine

• Family Walk

• Flying Kites

• Making Sandcastles

• Hiking

• Apple or Berry Picking

• Ice Skating

• Roller Skating, Skateboarding, or Bike Riding

• Tree Climbing

• Easter Egg Hunt

• Swimming

• A Trip to the Zoo

• Camping

• Gardening

• Go on a Picnic or Barbeque

• Wash the Car

• Get Messy! Play in the dirt, make mud pies, stomp in puddles, etc.

Inside Activities

• Baking or Cooking

• Building Forts

• Family Art Projects

• Pumpkin Carving

• Decorating the Christmas Tree

• Making a Gingerbread House

• Eating Popsicles or Ice Cream (can also be done outside)

• Grocery Shopping

• Building with Lego, Blocks, Train Tracks, etc.

• Reading Favorite Books

• Playing with Favorite Toys

• Dance Party

• Tidying Up

• Costume Play

• Morning Routine + Breakfast

• Dinner + Bedtime Routine

• Family Games

• Practicing Musical Instruments (or another extracurricular activity)

• Moving into a New Home

• Bath Time

• IKEA trip

• Back to School Shopping

• A Day at the Train Museum

• Science Experiments

• Pillow Fight!

Don't worry! My goal is to capture beautiful, genuine moments, even if that means dealing with a tantrum or a child who isn't smiling. Kids have their own moods and behaviors, and I embrace the reality of family life. These authentic moments—both the joyful and the challenging—are part of your family's story, and I’m here to photograph them all. So relax and let the day unfold; I’ll be there to capture it as it is!

No need to worry about mess—it's a part of your daily life right now and helps tell your family's story during this time. I’ll do my best to shoot around any clutter, but if it happens to make it into the frame, it’s not a big deal, I promise!

Regarding lighting, a bright space is always ideal, but I can work in darker areas as well. In those situations, I’ll need to adjust my camera settings accordingly, which can give the images a nostalgic, film-like vibe instead of my usual richly saturated colors.

If you'd prefer to avoid any mess or want the vibrant colors, I recommend planning some outdoor activities, such as backyard festivities, a walk and play date at a nearby park, or cruising along a bike trail. This way, we can capture the essence of your family in a bright and cheerful setting!

During Day in the Life sessions, I am not a complete fly on the wall; rather, I interact with your family in a way that resembles a friendly visitor in your home. I aim to chat, engage, and react to what’s happening around me while keeping the focus on capturing genuine moments. My goal is to create a comfortable atmosphere where you can fully enjoy your time together without feeling overly directed. I want to be perceived as a guest or family friend who just happens to be taking photos, rather than a photographer who is merely being friendly. This approach helps to maintain the authenticity of the experience, allowing for natural interactions and memories to unfold.

I understand that Day in the Life photos can feel very real, and it’s natural to worry about capturing moments that may seem embarrassing or portray your family in a less-than-ideal light. However, it’s important to remember that these authentic moments are part of your family’s unique story. The beauty of a Day in the Life session lies in capturing the genuine connections, spontaneous joy, and even the chaos that is often present in daily life.

If there are specific concerns about certain moments or activities, please feel free to communicate those with me before or during the session. My priority is to create a comfortable environment for you, and I want you to feel confident in what we’re documenting. Rest assured, I will focus on highlighting the lovely and heartwarming aspects of your family life, and I’m happy to curate the final selection of images to reflect the essence of your family while ensuring you feel proud to share these memories.

If someone gets sick or if there’s an emergency on the day of the shoot, I will absolutely do my best to reschedule the session whenever possible. Your family’s health and well-being are my top priorities. However, please note that if the session needs to be canceled, the initial deposit is nonrefundable. This is in place to help cover the costs and time invested in preparing for the session. I appreciate your understanding, and I’m here to help you find a new date that works for everyone!

It’s time for the big day! I’m excited to meet you at the time and location we've arranged, where the fun will truly begin.

For portrait sessions, we’ll work together to create beautiful images that reflect your family's unique personality. I’ll guide you into relaxed poses that allow for natural interactions, helping you feel comfortable and authentic in front of the camera. Whether it's on a favorite playground, a scenic beach, or in your own home, I’ll capture both posed moments and candid interactions that showcase the connection you share. This approach ensures that while we have some structure, the resulting photographs feel genuine and vibrant.

If you're opting for a Day in the Life shoot, expect a more spontaneous experience with little to no direction from me. My goal is to document the beauty of your everyday life as it unfolds naturally. This means capturing everything from morning routines to playtime and snack breaks, embracing the joyful chaos that comes with family life. All you need to do is plan a couple of activities, and I’ll blend into the background, capturing those candid moments that truly tell your family's story.

For event photography, whether it's a birthday celebration, baby shower, or family gathering, I will be there to document every special moment. My focus will be on capturing the joy, laughter, and meaningful interactions among your loved ones as the day progresses. I aim to preserve the essence of your celebration, allowing you to relive those cherished memories for years to come.

Throughout the session, don’t hesitate to share any ideas or special moments you want me to capture. This day is all about your family, and I’m here to showcase what makes you unique. I can’t wait to create lasting memories together, and I’m looking forward to an amazing photoshoot!

Yes, I edit all photos! Each image goes through a careful editing process to enhance overall quality while maintaining the authentic feel of your family's moments. My goal is to provide beautifully polished images that truly reflect the essence of your experience. I typically focus on rich, saturated colors to make the subjects in your photos really stand out. However, I also offer black and white versions of all images upon request, at no extra charge. If you have any specific requests or preferences regarding the editing style, or if you prefer one style over the other, feel free to share them with me! I will do my best to accommodate your wishes.

You can expect to see your final photos two to three weeks after your session. I will deliver the fully edited images to you via a Dropbox link, allowing you to easily download and share them with family and friends. I appreciate your patience during this time as I ensure that each image is polished and beautifully represents your family’s moments!

Each package includes its own minimum number of fully edited images. However, I always strive to go above and beyond, so if I come across additional outstanding photos from your session that truly capture the moment, I will fully edit those as well at no extra cost. Additionally, I can provide black and white versions of each photo upon request, also at no extra charge.

It’s important to note that each photography session is unique, and the final number of photos delivered may vary. My goal is to ensure you receive a beautiful collection that tells your family's story perfectly!

Yes! You will have full access to all your digital files, along with print rights for your final photos. This means you can download, share, and print your images as you wish, allowing you to enjoy and cherish them in various formats. If you have any questions about how to access or use your files, feel free to reach out!

Copyright and print rights are essential concepts to understand regarding your photographs. Copyright refers to the legal ownership of the images, which I retain as the photographer. This means I have the exclusive right to control how the images are used, including their display or publication.

In contrast, print rights grant you, the client, permission to reproduce the images for personal use, such as printing and sharing with family and friends. You are also permitted to post photos on social media, provided that you do not edit them and give credit to Violet Artichoke Visual Storytelling.

While you have the freedom to enjoy and display your photos, it’s important to recognize that the copyright remains with me. This ensures that I can continue to protect my creative work while you create cherished memories with your images.

Additionally, I may use the photographs in my portfolio, on social media, and in marketing campaigns unless you request otherwise.

Two to three weeks after your session, I will deliver your fully edited photos to you via a Dropbox link. There will be two folders – one with high res versions of the photos, great for making large prints, and one with compressed versions of the photos great for storing on your phone, uploading to social media, and sharing with friends and family digitally.

You can pay me using either Venmo or PayPal. Simply send your payment to @violetartichoke through your preferred platform. If you have any questions or need assistance with the payment process, feel free to reach out!

Yes! After our session, if you enjoy the experience and love the photos, I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a review on my Google Business page. Your feedback not only helps my business grow but also assists other families in finding the right storyteller for their own precious moments.