A family film is exactly what it sounds like: a short, cinematic document of your family’s life, exactly as it is right now. Not a polished performance or a highlight reel of your best moments, but the real stuff — the voices, the movements, the unrepeatable texture of an ordinary day. Think of it as the space between your photographs, where the giggles live, where the pitter-patter happens, where the chaos and the tenderness exist all at once. If a photograph is a love letter, a family film is the whole story read aloud.
You may have been asking yourself if one is right for your family. It’s a question I often think about with new clients because I truly believe every family deserves their story to be more fully preserved in a way that includes sound and movement. The big question is WHEN.
Honestly, there is never a perfect time, but it’s more a matter of finding the balance when you can surrender to the chaos AND be present with your family. That’s where I come in.
And here’s a secret: I will know right off the bat from our initial phone call
if the present is a good time for a film or if it’s better suited for something further down the road.
Call it a strong intuition or connection of hearts, perhaps.
It’s taken a few years to put these strong pulls into words, and I even hesitate to share my hunches because I firmly believe that every family is beautifully unique and should be celebrated as such. With this mindset, please don’t be deterred from inquiring about a film if all these boxes aren’t checked. Promise?
Without further ado, here are seven reasons why Family Film may be right up you.
01
You value presence
over perfection
Through the harried-ness of your daily routine, you want to slow down and capture life as it is now and are willing to open your hearts wide in documenting your family—just as they are, with all the beautiful mess and constellation of quirks that make your family uniquely beautiful. This also holds true for photos, but I thought this was worth emphasizing since it’s at the heart of what I do.
02
You love your images from your family photo session but
feel a tug for more
Upon viewing your photos, you feel your family’s story is somehow incomplete and are wishing to stitch those stills together to fill in the gaps.
03
Your favorite soundtrack is of your family…but without
“Baby Shark.”
You are deeply sentimental of all the coos, unexpected giggles, pitter-patter of unsteady feet, and jibber-jabber of voices echoing through your home.
04
You are moved by their movements
(big and small)
This may include how they learned to walk, twirled their hair nervously, bounded into a room, bit their lip in deep concentration, your hand as it caressed your baby’s back, or their love of basketball.
05
You want to preserve a specific time and place to revisit the countless little details your heart clings to today
You want to safeguard the memories your children were too young to remember and all the ways they were loved by you—a love letter for them to revisit and re-feel what an average day in their life looked like.
06
You are up for a collaboration
My work depends on a strong sense of connection and trust between me and the families I work with. It includes an initial “get to know you” chat on the phone, a pre-session questionnaire, and two video chats a week before our session (one to go over your questionnaire and form a loose plan for the session day, and the other is just to get acquainted with your kiddos). All spread out over 2-3 months because I know first-hand the harried life of family. This little bit of legwork ensures that when it comes to the actual session day, your one and only job is to love on your people. I will take care of the rest, even if things go sideways…because with young kids, they always do. 🙂
07
You already take videos of your kids
While most folks use their camera to take photos, you also tap into the video feature of your phone. Pushing the record button is almost second nature at this point. In fact, your phone is filled to the brim with video candids from your every day, and you return to them time and time again.
08
You can envision your family’s story told in film
similarly to this Day in the Life video.
Questions families ask before booking a film
What exactly is a family film?
A short, cinematic document of your family’s life — not a polished performance, but the real stuff. The voices, the movements, the unrepeatable texture of an ordinary day. Think: early morning chaos, siblings being siblings, the routines your kids will be too young to remember.
How long is a family film session?
Sessions typically unfold over the course of 4 hours in the morning or early evening, following your family’s natural rhythm rather than a rigid schedule. The less it feels like a shoot, the better the film.
How long is the finished film?
3-5 minutes of the most meaningful moments, edited with care. Long enough to feel complete, short enough to watch on repeat.
How is a family film different from family photos?
Photos freeze a moment. A film gives it sound, movement, and breath. It’s the difference between a love letter and hearing it read aloud.
Who are family films really for?
Honestly? Your kids. They’re a time capsule of the memories your children were too young to hold onto themselves — a way for them to return to this season of life anytime they’d like.
Do I need to have had a photo session with you first?
Not necessarily, though many families discover films after seeing their photos and feeling like the story isn’t quite complete. Either way, we always start with a conversation.
