DOCUMENTARY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | BELLINGHAM, WA
Why documentary family photography?
Because it reveals all the feels of family life.
Documentry family photography? Please explain.
Documentary family photography is a wonderfully uncomplicated, stress-free approach to photographing your family in your home and community. It’s you, me, and a camera. Just hanging out. There’s no need to subtract time from your already busy schedule. There’s no need to coordinate outfits, contort yourself into an uncomfortable pose, or conjure up an artificial smile. A personal favorite: there’s no need to clean house! Unless that’s your thing. More importantly, there’s no need to be anyone other than your genuine self. You be you. Do what you normally do throughout the course of your day and I’ll capture the organic, un-orchestrated moments that make your life uniquely yours.
Who is documentary family photography for?
Parents who want to feel the warmth of this moment in their family’s life years from now, after the frenzied pace of parenthood subsides. After the house slowly empties of loved ones, of your kiddos as they transition into adulthood and lives beyond your own.
Your kiddos, whose relationship with you will naturally shift as they grow older — and whose memories of childhood will fade with time.
Anyone who prioritizes authenticity and meaningful connection over the performative nature of a conventional portrait or lifestyle session.
Anyone who wants family photos taken, but wants them without the stress and hassle associated with traditional sessions. You know. Juggling schedules to fit a session in. Deciding on a location. Coordinating outfits. Deflecting protests and twisting arms the moment you mention, “We’re getting a family portrait taken.”
And finally, for everyone. Yes! For anyone and everyone. For chosen and traditional families. People of every beautiful skin tone. Of every cultural expression. Of every neuro-type. Of every gender. Every identity or expression of any kind. Full stop.
Available for life’s big events, the everyday routines, and all things in-between.
The first ten families who schedule a session get my business startup rates!
Short session (3-hours) - $275
Half-day session (6-hours) - $475
Full-day session (12-15 hours) - $675
Sessions available beginning in May 2025. Fees include my time and a curated gallery of digital photos. À la carte products are available for an additional fee.
Hi! I’m Rob.
Photographer. Neurodivergent. Twenty-five year partner to a beautiful soul. Parent to a kiddo almost as tall as me. Dog dad of two. I live for Karissa’s laughter and Isaac’s hugs; am enthralled by the variety of human expression; desperately miss living in Hong Kong; and could easily make a habit of eating more chocolate cake than is healthy for me.
So why family photography? I was once an ESL teacher. Both in Seoul and in Hong Kong. Before that, an early childhood educator. And most recently a homeschool teacher. I’m done teaching my kiddo now. And at fifty, I understand in ways that I previously hadn’t that the years are far too few, time spent with loved ones is far too short, and memories fade with age. For me, a photograph returns me to a time and place with a loved one in ways that no other medium can. It grounds me. Sitting with a family photograph is meditative. It’s restorative. Being able to offer this to others feels like a beautiful act of service.
