Documenting a year: Must-book sessions, tips for mastering your own photography and 10 moments you have to capture

As parents, we have a responsibility and an honor to document our children's childhood, to give them tangible memories they can return to on rainy days. But if you're like me, the pressure to capture everything — to tell the whole story — can feel overwhelming sometimes.

So cue this post. I want documenting their childhood to feel fun, worthwhile and manageable — because by being intentional about photography, you start to build an amazing legacy. 

​Give it a read, try a few of my suggestions, and let me know if it helps!

Sessions to book

I say this as a photographer, but mostly as a mother who's always behind the camera: Hiring a photographer to document your family at least once during the year is so important.

Photo sessions are your opportunity to step in front of the camera and just be present with your family. The right photographer will capture each personality and the joys of being a parent — all while providing a fun, easy-going experience. 
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• In the spring or fall, I recommend an outdoor session. The trees are beautiful either time of year, and the weather is comfortable — so no sweating your makeup off! Spring and fall are perfect times to enjoy the outdoors with your family, and the seasonal beauty provides the best backdrop.
• In the summer or winter, I recommend a lifestyle session at your home. A Summer Lifestyle Session could look a little like this: It's sunset and your family hanging out in your backyard, having a water fight, running through the sprinkler or sitting around a fire making s'mores. 
• During a Winter Lifestyle Session, you and your kids might gather around the kitchen, baking your family's secret cookie recipe or playing a board game. Afterwards, you build a fort or snuggle under your coziest blanket reading your kids' favorite books.

From my own family session last fall with Kristie Lea Photography.

3 tips for documenting your family

1. Squat, crawl, climb. Experiencing your day from different angles will result in more interesting photos. This is especially important when photographing children and pets. Try getting on their level — or way above it. 
2. Let life happen. Think of photography as moment-freezing, not moment-creating. Family photography should document life exactly how it is. Don't force smiles or poses. Our photos speak loudest when we observe quietly. 
3. Anticipate emotion. Real, raw emotion is the secret to beautiful documentary-style photography. We're most vulnerable among our family and at home, so try to capture a range of emotions (sadness and pain are just as important to your story as joy and excitement). When you're with your kids, try to anticipate their reactions and be ready with the camera. 

A film photo I took of my niece in 2016.

10 moments in your child's life to capture this year

1. Bedtime or bath routine
2. Reading together
3. A moment that shows independence or growing up
4. Playing with their favorite toy 
5. Special moments with special family members
6. Quiet moments in their bed or crib
7. The emotion of holidays and birthdays
8. The day before their birthday
9. Their laughter
10. Trying something new

My husband and son reading Harry Potter before bed. I love these quiet moments together.

Printing tips

Promise yourself you'll always have more pictures made from ink and paper than pixels. Promise your family they'll always have albums to hold in their hands and look at on rainy days — or when they long for days gone. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized and up-to-date:

1. Set aside 10 minutes every Sunday to import that week's photos onto your computer. Organize them on your computer with folders for each month. 
2. Dedicate the last day of each month to order prints. 
3. Kids love looking at photos of themselves! Create hardcover photo books of special events (birthdays, vacations) that are all theirs to thumb through whenever they want. 
4. Buy photo albums that have space beside each photo for jotting a description and date. Little details will be so important when you pass down the albums to future generations.