After ten years photographing families in San Francisco and the East Bay (Alameda, Oakland, and Berkeley), I’ve noticed something: the families who love their photos most aren’t necessarily the ones who hired the most expensive photographer or traveled to the most beautiful location.
They’re the ones who chose a style that felt like them.
And here’s the thing—understanding photography styles before you book a session makes all the difference. Not in a “this will make or break your photos” way, but in a “you’ll actually be excited when you see your gallery” way.
Let me break down the three main approaches to family photography and help you figure out which one speaks to your family. (Spoiler: there’s no wrong answer, just different flavors.)
The Three Main Family Photography Styles
Documentary-Style Family Photography
Documentary photography is pure observation. Your photographer becomes a fly on the wall, capturing your family exactly as you are—no posing, no direction, minimal interaction.
Think genuine belly laughs when your toddler says something absurd. The way your partner’s hand automatically reaches for yours. That look your kid gives you when they’re proud of something they’ve built. Documentary photographers witness these moments rather than create them.
Documentary style works best for families who:
- Value authenticity over perfection (because perfection is overrated anyway)
- Want to remember how life actually felt during this season
- Have kids who resist being told what to do (hello, strong-willed children!)
- Prefer photos that tell a story rather than simply looking beautiful.
What to expect during a documentary session: Your photographer might follow you through a typical morning—breakfast chaos, getting dressed, playing in the backyard. They’re there to capture, not choreograph. You might barely notice they’re shooting until you see the final images and think, “Wait, when did they take that?”
And you know what? That’s exactly the point.
Lifestyle Family Photography
Lifestyle photography lives in the sweet spot between documentary and posed portraits. Your photographer offers gentle guidance—”Why don’t you all cuddle on the couch?” or “Take a walk toward me holding hands”—but the moments that unfold remain natural and authentic.
This is my primary approach. I might suggest you read a favorite book together, but I’m not telling you how to sit or where to look. I’m creating opportunities for connection, then stepping back to let your family’s genuine dynamics take over. Because honestly? Your family knows how to be a family better than I ever could.
Lifestyle photography works best for families who:
- Want natural-looking photos but appreciate some direction
- Feel awkward without a little guidance (most of us do!)
- Love candid moments but want to ensure certain family combinations are captured
- Prefer a relaxed session that still feels intentional
What to expect during a lifestyle session: We might start with everyone snuggled in your bed looking at photo albums, then move to the kitchen where the kids “help” make cookies. I’ll suggest activities, but the interactions are yours. If your three-year-old decides they’d rather chase the dog than bake, we chase the dog. The magic happens in the in-between moments—the flour on noses, the sneaky taste-testing, the way your partner looks at you when the kids aren’t watching.
Studio Portrait Photography
Studio photography offers the most control—posed setups, professional lighting, carefully selected backdrops. This is classic portraiture where everyone looks at the camera, clothing is coordinated, and hair is perfectly placed.
Studio portraits work best for families who:
- Want that timeless, formal portrait for the mantel
- Need consistent, controlled lighting (no weather surprises!)
- Prefer traditional family photos where everyone’s looking at the camera
- Have specific print or display plans that require uniform backgrounds
What to expect during a studio session: Your photographer directs everything—exactly where to stand, how to position your hands, where to look. Sessions are typically shorter (15-30 minutes) because you’re working efficiently toward specific shots. The result is polished and professional.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this approach if it’s what you love! There is definitely a time and place…ahem…take our annual awkward holiday photo for example.
How My Style Fits: Lifestyle Meets Documentary
I fall between documentary and lifestyle, with emphasis on family connection over perfection. Most families who hire me aren’t concerned about everyone looking at the camera with matching smiles. They want photos that feel like them—which might include tears, chaos, silly faces, and fierce sibling negotiations over who gets to hold the stick they found.
I’m predominantly a natural-light photographer who seeks diffused light that flatters diverse skin tones. My images lean moody and cinematic because I focus on intimate connections—the quiet moments that often matter most. The big moments are great (and we’ll capture those too!), but it’s often the small stuff that makes you cry happy tears twenty years from now.
You can see examples of my documentary and lifestyle work in my portfolio.
Location Considerations for Different Styles
Where you take your photos matters almost as much as what style you choose. Different photography styles work better in different settings.
Documentary Photography Locations
Documentary-style sessions work beautifully at home, but can also shine at familiar places your family frequents—your neighborhood playground, your favorite café, the beach you visit every weekend. The key is choosing locations where your family naturally interacts without feeling staged.
Lifestyle Photography Locations
Lifestyle photography offers the most flexibility with locations. You might start at home and then walk to a nearby park, or choose one of the Bay Area’s many beautiful landmarks for a change of scenery. But if you ask me, the best locations are not the ones with sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, but rather, the ones that are most meaningful to your family (your neighborhood park and stomping grounds).
Popular Bay Area landmark photography locations include Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Baker Beach, Crissy Field, and Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. In the East Bay, families love the Lafayette Reservoir, Tilden Park in Berkeley, and the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland.
I shoot both in-home and on-location throughout the East Bay and San Francisco. Some of my favorite sessions combine beautiful scenery with meaningful context—like families who love hiking amidst the Redwoods go to Joaquin Miller Park, or beach-loving families hang out at Crissy Field in San Francisco or Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda.
Studio Photography Locations
Studio photography is on location and typically at your photographer’s studio or a rented space with professional artificial lighting and backdrops. This is a great option when family schedules don’t line up when natural lighting outdoors are at its best (early morning or near sunset) or when weather is unpredictable.
Mixing Styles: You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
Here’s something many families don’t realize: you can blend styles within a single session. We might spend most of our time in documentary mode during a day-in-the-life session, then pause for five minutes to capture one “everyone look here” family portrait for grandma.
Or we might take a lifestyle approach for most of the session—gentle prompts, natural interactions—but switch to pure documentary when your kids start an impromptu dance party in the living room. (This happens more often than you’d think, and it’s always the best part of the session.)
The key is finding a photographer whose primary style matches what you value most, knowing they can flex to other approaches when it makes sense. For example, many families also choose to add video to capture movement and voices alongside still images.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you start searching for your photographer, get clear on what matters to you:
Do you want photos that capture:
- How life actually looks and feels right now? → Documentary or lifestyle
- Your family at your best, polished and coordinated? → Studio or lifestyle
- A mix of candid moments and some “frame-worthy” portraits? → Lifestyle
How do your kids respond to direction?
- They hate being told what to do → Documentary (let them be wild!)
- They need a little guidance but stay natural → Lifestyle
- They do well with clear instructions → Studio or lifestyle
What will you do with these photos?
- Create an album that tells this season’s story → Documentary or lifestyle
- Print a large portrait for your wall → Any style works
- Share on social media and with family → Any style works
- Build a visual time capsule → Documentary (this is my jam)
Finding Your Style Match
When you’re browsing photographer portfolios, pay attention to which images make you feel something. Not just “that’s pretty,” but “that’s us” or “I want to remember this age exactly like that.”
That emotional response tells you everything. Your best family photographer isn’t the one creating the most technically perfect images—it’s the one whose style resonates with how you see your family.
And here’s the beautiful part: there are so many talented photographers out there with different styles. If you look at my work and think “too moody” or “not formal enough,” that’s perfect information! It means you know what you’re looking for. (And I probably know someone whose style is exactly right for you, because a lot of my close friends are photographers.)
Ready to start your search? Check out my guide on how to find the best Bay Area family photographer.
Or better yet, let’s chat about your next family photo or film session!
