I’ve always told others my camera is a magic tool – it can open doors into peoples lives and quite literally into a family’s home. Photographing ‘a day in the life’ of a family is one of my favourite ways to capture what being a family is all about. Home, after all, is where family happens; it’s familiar, comfortable and often the space and contents are a reflection of who you are and what you value.

Many families who ask me to photograph them are, at first, concerned that their homes are too messy or their routines too bland.  Over one hundred family sessions in, and I have never found this to be the case.  

If something looks out of place in the frame, we can move it.  And of course we come up with some activities to photograph like waking up in your pyjamas, pillow fights, cooking breakfast together, washing the dog, taking a walk or having a mid-day snooze. With a decent plan, some good light, and a go-with-the-flow attitude we can create photos that capture those fleeting, precious everyday moments that really are the essence of family life.

Not only do I love how organic these sessions are, one of the most rewarding parts for me is receiving letters from families I’ve photographed weeks, months and years later expressing how grateful they are for the photos we created together. 

Now is the time to do this – not when you feel you’ve finally cleaned everything up, come up with shot concepts or gotten the entire family haircuts.  Keep pushing it ahead and before you know it your kids will be all grown up!

Below you will find some of my favourite photos from home visits, urban excursions, walks in the forest and in some cases families who brought me into their home for days! At the bottom of this page you will see a gallery of complete stories which you can click on for a better idea of how a typical shoot unfolds. Enjoy!