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Category: Family

May 24, 2024

Documentary Photography, Photojournalism, and Lifestyle Photography: What’s the difference?

A bit about “Documentary Photography”, “Photojournalism” and “Lifestyle Photography”.

A lot of people, including many photographers, may not know the difference between “Documentary Photography”, “Photojournalism”, and “Lifestyle Photography”. There’s no shame in this as the lines are all a little fuzzy. There are more similarities between documentary photography and photojournalism than lifestyle photography, as the concept behind documentary photography and photojournalism is to tell an unscripted story through images. The difference between these two genres is that documentary photography focuses on telling a broader story or documenting a particular subject or issue over a longer period of time. Documentary photography projects are usually long-term and aim to explore and shed light on social, cultural or historical topics.

Photojournalism, on the other hand, is a quick grab. It aims to capture events as they happen without any edits or photographer’s touches and it doesn’t “dig-deep” (unlike documentary photography). If I were to do a documentary photoshoot for example, I might explore “teenagers”. I might follow one or two teenagers around for a year to document the many facets of this period of life to put together a complete story about what it really looks like–I might hone in on drug use, or sex, or the pressures adolescents face as they transition to adulthood. It would be rich and would have a “story” behind it. If I were to do a photojournalistic shoot of teenagers, I would just show up and document a teenager for a day to create an honest depiction of what the day in the life of a teenager might look like. There’s no agenda to photojournalism other than to capture the raw truth quickly. In the wedding world, a photographer hired by the bride and groom to capture the day in an uninterrupted, unposed way, would be a photojournalist. Most wedding photographers who call themselves photojournalists aren’t “strictly” photojournalists however, as they often do some posed portraits of the bride and groom, the wedding party and of course, family portraits. A documentary wedding photographer on the other hand, might capture behind the scenes of a wedding to tell a broader story about the astronomical costs of weddings.

A lifestyle photographer has creative freedom. A lifestyle photographer may be trying to capture a “feeling” or create images that look relaxed, but visually pleasing at the same time. A lifestyle photographer will probably find or create the perfect light, they might suggest certain clothes to wear, or shoot somewhere out of the home. A lifestyle shoot can be more artistic and there’s a lot more direction from the photographer. A photojournalist or documentary photographer would never tell the subjects to move into the light, or tell their subjects to hug, jump, smile, etc. Honestly, I would say that lifestyle photography is the contemporary take on the 80’s and 90’s “Olan Mills” family photography. While everyone might not be in a studio smiling at the camera, it is posed, while not looking “posed. It is coordinated, directed, and scripted.

I would say that my personal style of photography is a mix of photojournalism and lifestyle photography. Unless someone specifies that they want a shoot that is strictly photojournalism (which is my dream client), I’m usually going to direct a bit and make the images look pretty. I’m going to find the right light and angles. I will direct my clients to do something in order to evoke a certain response–laughter, connection, movement, etc. All this said, photojournalism is my heart. Capturing moments that aren’t staged and creating images that are honest and stand the test of time is my favorite approach. I believe that these unscripted images are the ones that not only stand the test of time, but age like fine wine. These are the images your kids will see one day and will be reminded of what life was like when they were younger. There is more to the image than what everybody looked like in the fall of 2024.

October 5, 2018

Day in the life of newborn twins and a toddler

There are no words for this one… Just cuteness overload.

April 30, 2018

Denver Family/Newborn session

My “people” are the ones who are comfortable with who they are as a family. They don’t feel the need to present a pristine home or dress their kids in matching clothes. Sometimes juice is running down their kids faces or they have marker all over their hands. Sometimes there is spit-up. Dirty diapers. Fighting siblings. Overturned furniture. These families are honest–I know this because I have two kids myself, and keeping things in perfect order is impossible–in fact to try to capture perfection in my own home would be a lie. It’s this authenticity that makes me feel safe and allows me to document the good stuff. The stuff memories are made of. The stuff called “life”. These are my people. This is what I love. Thank you, Chavez Family–I’ll miss you.

February 24, 2018

San Diego

We are finally at a place where we can travel together as a family and actually call it a vacation. The kids are fine on a plane with a bag of candy and a couple of devices. We can get a home on VRBO and Ramona and Sylvie can share a room, while Jesse and I can have our own. (Netflix, baby!) Meals are easier when we go out. Bedtime is flexible. The kids can swim. It’s pretty dreamy, actually.

Travel is my jam. I don’t care what kind of car I drive or how big my house is. I don’t care if my dinner plates match or even if I get my roots done every 6 weeks. But travel is an actual necessity. I can’t live without it. I really can’t. For awhile it was tough, I won’t lie. We had to find someone to stay with the girls while we went away. I couldn’t actually be present wherever I was, because my heart was at home with my kids. If we did bring our kids, we had to bring a nanny so that we could actually enjoy our vacation and that was breaking the bank. But we’ve arrived. Traveling together works now. We have fun, and we are making memories.

When I was growing up, my parents used to load all of us four kids into a big Econo-van every Thanksgiving and drive to Arkansas. WE WOULD DRIVE. This wasn’t just when I was little, either. This went on through my college years. But in all seriousness, these are some of my best memories as a kid. Stopping at gas stations every 4 hours and loading up on junk food, sleeping in the car, fighting over the game boy–these were the times when I would actually be forced to be with my family for hours at a time. And that was just the drive. When we would actually get to Arkansas we would be bored out of our minds, so we would have to find things to do. Me and my brothers would go on long walks together or my sister and I would go to Walmart (which was always a highlight of our trip, might I add). It wasn’t fancy hotels or trips to amusement parks that I loved. It was the time together–the memories made. Collective mindfulness, if you will. It was rich.

I want my kids to have this. I want their memories of our time together to go beyond our backyard. I want them to appreciate our vacations even if it’s just ordering pizza and sitting in a hot tub or sharing a can of coke in a HOJO. I don’t have forever with these girls. In 15 years, there won’t be family vacations like these. Ramona and Sylvie will be taking their own spring breaks or God forbid, trips with their boyfriends. Their priorities will be different and Jesse and I will yearn for the days when we could just hole up in some house in some random state and simply be together–just a good vacation from the hamster wheel.

February 16, 2018

Baby Linden Brown

Meet baby Linden. I got the pleasure of meeting and photographing this little nugget last week. She is the first daughter and second child to a very special couple whose wedding and engagement session I photographed way back in 2011. I have kept in touch with Cambria and Anson only through facebook and was overjoyed to get to work with them again to document this sweet time in their lives and to meet their gorgeous children, Woodley and baby Linden. It’s incredibly rewarding to get to work with old clients again–especially when they become parents and we get to connect on this whole new level.

March 7, 2017

Well Hello, Little Lachlan–it’s so nice to meet you!

This. This is why I do what I do. This is why I am a photographer–to make relationships like these. Dylan and Megan have become like family to me. I met them back in 2011 when they came into my studio to see if we might be a good match for their wedding. I’m pretty sure I knew it was made in heaven at the get-go, but what I didn’t know is that I would get to continue to photograph these two into their journey of parenthood. First Owen, now Lachlan–these boys though! My heart wants to explode! I don’t know much about baby Lachlan yet as he is only 8 weeks old. But I know he is handsome as hell, and if he follows in the footsteps of his older brother, and his Mama and Papa, he’s going to be an incredible human with a heart of pure gold.

p.s. When your clients trust your artistic vision and allow you to shoot loosely with film, it’s the icing on the cake.

I love you Megan and Dylan–and I treasure getting to be a part of your beautiful story.

February 13, 2017

Win is 1

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with little Win and his mama on his birthday–I am in love with this little boy.

December 26, 2016

The Caseys

I literally have about 200 blog posts in queue. And while I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, I will say that I have a goal of cranking out 2 or 3 posts a week once things slow down a bit, which should be around the first of the year–so I guess I’m resolved. Today, however I’m skipping ahead 199 posts to get this one out because the subject matter moves me. On top of photographing the words cutest twins, Rory and Redding (I mean, seriously), the shoot itself felt authentic as a capture of a day in the life of a little Denver family around the holidays. Christmas cookies, the tree, cold weather, woodland creature sweatpants– I wish I would have had these fleeting Christmas seasons captured more in my own life, and plan to do so in the future. I’m a sentimental, Christmas sap and there’s something so magical about the month of December. Alas, it’s gone until the following Christmas when the kids are an entire year older–and what a difference a year can make… Do yourself a favor and skip the samey-samey “fall colors” family portrait next year and instead, capture some real-life magic.

August 30, 2016

The Harrison’s

Making a decision to have a child–it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

August 15, 2016

The Storchs in Berthoud

It’s such and honor when another photographer asks me to be their photographer. It’s flattering, and it’s liberating. It’s flattering because we photographers are picky, and we all know a ton of other photographers-it’s a large community. It’s liberating because I know that they know what to expect. I know that they know how realistic it is to get 100 perfect images of everybody smiling and looking pretty. It’s not. They also trust me–knowing that what they are experiencing in front of the camera is very different than how I’m reading things behind it. It’s a fun ride.

Susannah was great–all of the above and more. We connected as photographers, mothers of young kiddos and the struggle to balance the two. And hopefully, we will connect in the near future over margaritas…

When I grow up, I want to be a photographer’s photographer.

July 5, 2016

The Zawistowski’s at Their Home

I really want to be a good person. I am a good person, sometimes. But I’m especially good at spotting exceptional people and watching and learning from them. There are few words or images that could ever capture the incredible humans that Katie and Peter are. I could try and start by saying that they are kind, generous, evolved, empathetic, great parents to little Arlo. They are fun, adventurous, optimistic. I mean seriously, the list of over-used words could just go on and on. They are GOOD PEOPLE. And I count myself so blessed to get to call them my friends. I’m lucky enough to have gotten to know them, learn from them, emulate their kindness and warmth. Basically, I want to grow up and be them. I love you, Zawistowski’s. You are medicine to my soul.

June 21, 2016

My Highlands people–the Calagias_Richardsons

Rob and Carly have been “my people” since the day they walked into my studio back in 2008. We connected over a shared love for Sigur Ros and good beer. And then I shot their wedding, met their friends and fell in love with them even more. I’ve since moved way out to the country and only get glimpses of this sweet family as they grow, but when I walk into their home, it feels like “home”. Fantastic parents, great kids, always the best music and this time, invaluable gardening tips from Rob who owns and operates Victory Hydro Gardening http://www.victoryhydro.com/

You guys make me miss the highlands. Many thanks. xo

June 7, 2016

The Solots

I have “favorites”–I’m only human. This family…. they get to my heart every time. SO. MUCH. FUN!!

June 2, 2016

The Woodruffs

June 1, 2016

The Goldbergs

I am pretty sure we all thought that Lindsey and Adam’s wedding six years ago was the biggest and best day of their lives–in fact it most likely was. Little did they know however, that their lives would unfold and bring forth many more “big” and “best” days ever. The birth of Ava… and then recently the birth of Millie. I’m not comparing of course, I just know from experience that there is no greater joy–not even a wedding day that compares to giving birth to two healthy little girls–and those moments when they are in your arms and you keep smelling them and kissing the tops of their heads and weeping out of a mixture of hormones and ecstasy is BIG and THE BEST. I’m so honored to know this little family and to be able to document all of these moments for them–it somehow just keeps getting better and better.

May 3, 2016

The Ameros in Boulder

April 29, 2016

The Wunschs

This little 8-month-old, Claudia might be my biggest fan. I have never had a baby respond to me like she did. Not even my own babies–ha! It was amazing, actually–she was so aware of my presence and she loved showing off for me–she’s my new littlest friend.

Everything about my session with the Wunschs was so authentic. The smiles, the snuggles, the coffee in hands and the dinner simmering away in the kitchen. This shoot was exactly what I love to do. I love to walk into a home and photograph a little family giving kisses and having tantrums. It’s the new mom and dad sharing a quiet or hilarious moment; the “fleeting moment” that we so often miss because we are snapping our fingers, saying “smile”. It’s a slice of life. And I love being its spectator.

August 7, 2015

The Deutsche family in Boulder

“I believed in a good home, in sane and sound living, in good food, good times, work, faith and hope. I have always believed in these things. It was with some amazement that I realized I was one of the few people in the world who really believed in these things without going around making a dull middle class philosophy out of it. I was suddenly left with nothing in my hands but a handful of crazy stars.” Jack Kerouac

For you, Lauren. You and I walk the same line…

August 4, 2015

The Evans family in Granby

There are moments when I am overcome with gratitude for the life I get to live through my job. Most of the time I am running around trying to catch Sylvie from flinging herself head first down the stairs while I pack up all my camera equipment to get to a shoot on time–there are not enough hands. And certainly not enough time. I’m a busy mama and I am shooting and editing so much that I often forget to take a moment to really study and reflect on the images that I make. Photography is my full time job. I’m literally supporting my family making portraits, so most of the time I’m 100% focused on pleasing my clients. I forget that I get to make art. A couple of weeks ago however, I had the opportunity to photograph the Evans family at a 100-year-old homestead in Granby, CO. I’ve been working with Callie for 5 years and had photographed her extraordinary wedding to Wes in New Orleans back in 2012, so there was no question that photographing this little family would be nothing short of spectacular.

There had been a hailstorm that moved through right before I arrived, so the sky was moody, the air eerily quiet, the leaves were torn in bits all over the ground, and all the kiddos were wrapped up in warm colorful sweatshirts to stay warm on the riverbank. The landscape was breathtaking–like something out of a Laura Engles Wilder book, and I immediately forgot that I was “working” and started shooting magically, from pure intuition. This is when I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to do with my life–when making images is so natural that I don’t even know that I’m doing it. It’s a way of expression and quite literally my third eye’s way of seeing and experiencing the world around me. This Mississippi family let me spend an evening with them, capturing a small slice of their vacation in Colorado–and I was in heaven.

On the way home, I stopped to fill up at a gas station and didn’t want to be done. I felt so refreshed and wanted to just keep driving into the dusk with my windows down and a cigarette. This is how a good shoot makes me feel. Free. Alive. Like I’m traveling with no agenda. This shoot awoke something in me that made me stop for a moment and breathe. It made me feel abundant in gratitude. I remembered that I am beyond blessed to get to do what I do for a living.

This night, on a river in Granby with a fun-loving family, I was making art–no question about it. Thank you Callie and Wes. For all of it.

August 3, 2015

The Hoefts at Chautauqua Park, Boulder

July 22, 2015

The Casey’s in LOHI

July 20, 2015

The Hartzells at Boulder Creek

This is my kind of shoot–a sweet summer morning along the Boulder creek. Just a blanket, one toy and the good Earth for props. Simple. Perfect.

July 15, 2015

Dave’s Retirement Party

The biggest perk to not shooting weddings is all the parties, festivals, camping trips, concerts, etc I get to attend. It’s been too long since I had the energy to bring my camera along to a family function, but I was fired up to photograph my father-in-law’s retirement party. I knew it would be a riot. Congrats, Dave. Time to play!

July 13, 2015

The Rauchways

Teddy is going to build a rocket ship and change the world. Rosie is going to change the world with her heart and empathy. I can’t wait to see what baby Wesley is going to do… Something amazing with parents like Cleo and John. I simply adore this family.