Storytelling really has the idea of a family album in mind. From close up shots to wide shots, tender moments to ones filled with laughter, they are all encompassing of how your family actually connects.
What to Expect During a Storytelling Session
From the moment we meet, I want your family to feel comfortable. I can usually pick up on the vibe and personalities of each person and I’m sensitive to making the session fun and natural no matter what type.
Here’s a peek at the flow:
-We explore the location together (field, creek, your home, etc)
-I guide you with prompts like “look for flowers with your daughter”, chase after your toddler then pick him up and spin him”, “snuggle your baby and close your eyes”
-We embrace whatever comes that day- laughter, movement, and even tantrums because that’s real life
Expect photos to fill the album like your family storybook.
What will we do?
Here’s a list of 60 story ideas to get your mind going on what you’d like to document. And if you don’t want to think.. You can leave it all up to me and just show up.
AT HOME:
- Saturday morning pancakes
- Couch cuddles and storytime
- Backyard gardening with littles
- Bedtime rituals (bath, lotion, book, snuggles)
- Sunday breakfast in pajamas
- Making homemade pizza together
- Afternoon dance party
- Kids playing dress-up (maybe in parents wedding outfits)
- Morning snuggles in bed
- baking cookies
- reading books
- driveway party- bikes/ scooters/ chalk
- chores & routine- making beds/ washing dishes/ brushing teeth and hair
- looking at old photos
- family tradition
- painting
- rocking chair moments
- backyard play- sprinklers, piggy back rides, picnic for dinner, grilling, swings
- neighborhood stroll
- visiting a grandparent’s home
OUTDOOR:
- Playing in a field at golden hour
- forest exploring
- flower picking
- creek splashing
- nature walk
- picking fruit or berries
- picnic
- fishing
- boat ride
- flying kites in the park
- building sand castles
- campfire/ roasting marshmallows
- flying paper airplanes
- water basin
- outdoor tea party
- farm visit
- exploring a city or old town
- ice cream shop
- puddle jumping
- petting horses
SEASONAL:
- Apple/ Strawberry picking at a farm
- pumpkin picking
- christmas tree picking
- christmas tree decorating at home
- 4th of July Sparklers
- christmas cookies
- matching holiday pajamas
- easter egg hunt
- valentine making
- playing in the snow
HEIRLOOM:
- Recreating a childhood photo
- playing with the cousins/grandparents
- playing an instrument together
- looking through old photo albums (maybe with a grandparent?)
- visiting a place that’s special to your family
- family tradition
- family cooking
- Generations: grandma, mom, child
- snuggling under handmade quilts
- grandma hobby
Photographers, if you’re loving these ideas, my Creative Shot List has 15+ ideas on what to capture at your session. It is designed to spark fresh direction when your brain goes blank during a session.”
📱 “Keep it on your phone. Use it at every shoot. Game-changer.”
Is a Storytelling Session Right for My Family?
This type of session is for you if:
You believe the best photos are the ones with feeling
You want real moments over perfect poses
You’re a little tired of stressful photo days
You want to capture connection
You want to make a family album
Ready to Book Your Family Storytelling Session?
I offer storytelling sessions throughout the Charlotte and surrounding area on select weekends
You can use my easy, at your leisure booking platform to find a time and date that works for you!
Spots fill quickly, especially during fall, so let’s get yours reserved today.
Photographers, want to know what to SAY during your session to get less stiff and more authentic photos? Check out my 24 STORY TELLING PROMPTS that tell you what to say AND what to capture.
Or if your are struggling with adding variety to your images, get my Creative Shot List.. You can keep it on your phone and refer to it throughout your session to get more images that tell a story. I look at this list before EVERY session so it can be fresh on my mind!
[…] If that date doesn’t work for you, you can always add this location on to your family story session and spend up to 1 hour (or more).. with me in the flowers! What does that mean? More variety, more details, more meaning, more photos, slowing down and eliminating the rush of trying to force unnatural smiles. Check out my blog post on storytelling sessions here to read more. […]