Documentary family photography
What to expect

Family photography that’s real, fun and unique to your family

If your family is looking for beautiful, meaningful photographs without posing awkwardly in front of a camera, then keep reading.

Here’s how it works: You pick a normal day, and I’ll capture your everyday. You pick an adventure, and I’ll follow you (almost) anywhere. All we do is choose a day and time, make a loose plan (I can help), and go with the flow.

We don’t stage. We don’t force. We don’t judge. Kids can be kids, no one has to smile on demand, and you get to actually be present with your family while I document the real moments, the ones that matter.

(And yes, being in front of the camera will stop feeling uncomfortable. I promise.)

Toddler cuddling doll while mother holds baby in sling.

How does a session actually work?

No posing, no directing, no cheesy smiles, or looking straight at the camera.

It also means no pressure: children are allowed to run around, have tantrums, and get dirty. Everyone wears what they love and be themselves. Even camera-shy parents end up loving it.

Baby eating with spoons, messy high chair.

For day-in-the-life sessions, you pick a time of day that you would love to preserve from memory loss.

Morning cuddles, getting ready, breakfast, bedtime routine, bath time, it’s entirely up to you, and I can help you choose.

Note: a loose schedule is better than a jam-packed one.

Child's fingers holding leaf with ladybird.

For short sessions, we plan a few activities together.

It can be as simple as playing in the back garden, baking together, reading books, or cuddling in bed.

Again: better to leave space for the unexpected rather than trying to “fit everything in”.

Family in kitchen, man washing up, woman holding baby during their documentary family & newborn photography session at home.

Toddler biting shirt outdoors in black and white during their storytelling family photoshoot at home.

Baby laughing with her head inside her mother's dress during their breastfeeding and family photography session at home.

Family of four in bathroom, parents drinking coffee, breastfeeding during their documentary family & baby photoshoot at home.

Child licking whisk in kitchen with mother and sister during their Christmas baking unposed photography session at home.

Child falling down a bin bag in bedroom during their full day-in-the-life photography session at home.

Two boys smiling in a play house, black and white image during a real-life family & grandparents photography session at home.

Bath time for sisters while their parents feed them weetabix during their full day-in-the-life family photoshoot at home.

I believe every child deserves an album of their childhood.

I want children growing up surrounded by pictures of the people who love them. Albums they can pull off the shelf whenever they want.

That’s why I don’t just photograph families, I also:

help people print photos that already exist, and
teach others how to do it themselves.

Wall display of framed black and white family photos

Woman and child enjoying a photo album together.

Get in touch

What makes unposed family photography so great?

The most precious moments happen when you let them unfold. No amount of posing or directing would have led me to capture the family photos on this page.
No need to wrangle your kids into the car; professional natural family portraits can be captured from the comfort of your own home, but we can also meet at your favourite outdoor location, or both.
If you’re worried about your children not following directions or not cooperating during a family photoshoot, I’m the right photographer for you! (Hint: they don’t have to.)
I am an unobtrusive photographer focusing on candid, unscripted, moments, and even parents who don’t like having their photo taken enjoy a family photoshoot with me.

Sound like something you’d love? Get in touch and tell me a bit about your family. I’d love to hear what you’re hoping to capture.

“No big effort, no grand gestures. Johanna captured so many little moments – the ones so normal and fleeting you barely even notice them happening.”

family and baby photography in Co. Laois Portarlington

Jen

Half Day-In-The-Life Family Photos in Co. Laois, Ireland

Hi, I’m Johanna King, an award-winning photographer & mother of two.

If you’re like me, you’re busy getting through the day-to-day, and when you realise time is rushing by, you feel a sense of loss.

Or you’re reading a book, or snuggling together, look at their little nose, their little fingers, your heart swells, and you wish you could freeze this.

Am I doing enough with them? Am I living in the present moment enough? How can I slow down more? How has it already been 3 years?

My own family life is far from being picture-perfect, but my favourite photographs are the ones that capture the FEELING of being their mother RIGHT NOW (and the photos that make me laugh).

“Johanna has a lovely relaxed manner and is great with kids – she really is able to get the best shots (which I imagine is difficult with small kids – they don’t exactly stay in the same place for very long!)”

Mother and her daughter having a snack during a documentary family photography session in Enniskerry

Amy

Half Day-In-The-Life Family Photography in Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Check availability

What to expect

1. Reach Out

Fill in my contact form, to receive my full pricing brochure.

I want you to feel completely comfortable inviting me into your family’s life, so we can then hop on a call to chat.

If you have a specific date in mind, get in touch as early as you can to secure it.

2. Booking

Once you’ve decided on a package and we’ve agreed on a date (on the phone, or by email), I will send you the booking link.

It will walk you through:

confirming the order and payment schedule
signing the contract
paying the session fee

Once this is done, your session is officially booked!

3. Session Day

I come to your home (or wherever feels right for your family) and photograph you without posing. It’s super relaxed, I promise.

Wear what you’d normally wear. Let your kids be themselves.

All the messy, tender, ordinary moments are welcome in real-life family photography: bath time, snack time, reading on the couch, building Legos…

This is where the magic happens.

4. Gallery & Album

Within 4-6 weeks, you’ll receive a curated online gallery, where you can favourite the images you love most.

I’ll guide you to make your order, whether that’s a collection, an album, prints or digital files.

I personally design your albums and gallery walls with the same care I put into capturing your photos, using high-quality printing labs based in Europe.

Behind-the-scenes of REAL families being photographed, unposed

Behind The Scenes of a Maternity & Family Photoshoot in Dublin

Behind The Scenes of a Morning In The Life Family Photoshoot in Dublin

Real family sessions slideshows

The whole day

The half day

The short story

Do you offer event photography coverage?

Yes, my sessions & packages work the same for family events & intimate weddings.

Father and daughter playing hide and seek indoors during their documentary family photography session at home.

Child climbing doorway in a playful home environment during their a real life family photoshoot at home.

Child with plush toy in cartoon-decorated room during their full day-in-the-life photoshoot at home

Mother, newborn, toddler and dog enjoying time by window at home on the couch, during a newborn & family photography session.

Child tasting sausage with ketchup with fork during their documentary family photography session at home.

Family enjoying time together at home after school during their unposed family photoshoot session at home.

Mother breastfeeding baby with older child looking on during their real life newborn & family photography session at home.

Children baking with adult in kitchen during their grandparents & grandchildren photography session at home.

Mother cuddling baby at home during their day-in-the-life family & baby photography session at home and out-and-about.

Children playing with ball on trampoline outdoors during a storytelling family photoshoot.

Child walking on sandy beach under cloudy sky

Boy gently touching sleeping baby sister's head during a newborn and family unposed photoshoot.

Photobook of printed documentary family photographs taken by Johanna King Photography in Cork showing a baby and a toddler

Say goodbye to awkward poses and forced smiles.

Let your children run wild and relax, knowing I will capture great family photos no matter what AND take care of the printing side of things for you.

Yes, that’s my promise.

The images will be beautiful, professional and:

Personal: unique to you and your family
Genuine: nothing forced or scripted
Fun: just be yourself, and you may see your life through a different lens

Investment

Investment typically ranges from €750 to €3000+, depending on session length and the products you choose to take home.

If you’re starting to think this might be something you’d like to do…

Inquire about your session

“I think Johanna’s personality is perhaps almost as important as her talent as a photographer – her friendly, relaxed approach made the whole experience such a positive memory for all of us.

We got what we were hoping for and more… lots of lovely photos of our kids which will only become more valuable to us over time, as well as a fun afternoon doing the shoot. If her informal style is what you are looking for, look no further – book a session!”

Noel

Documentary Family Photoshoot in Greystones, Ireland

Capture your life right now and embrace what comes next

In our busy lives, we often feel like we can’t “take it all in”. It’s easier to embrace a new phase when we know the previous one has been captured for us to look back on.

Inquire Now

FAQs

What if my child doesn’t behave?

Your children are not expected to “behave” or be happy & smiling during your session. You are hiring me to capture real life, and in my world, children have tantrums, tears, they test your limits and get into all kind of mischiefs. They’re often my favourite kind of moments to photograph :D

What if you witness a vulnerable/embarrassing moment?

If you’re worried of your reaction being photographed, don’t be. I’m a mother too. I know you will have to parent your children during our session. Some of my favourite photos of our family were taken during those “parenting” moments. They are usually the times when a parent cannot pick up the camera, so they’re even more specials to look back on. And if you don’t like them, you don’t have to get them printed.

I don’t want my house photographed, can we do the session outdoors?

Of course. We can do the session anywhere really, as long as the location is meaningful to you and your family. This being said, I may suggest we start the session at your home before heading out if at all possible. Home is where we make most of our family memories. It doesn’t have to be “perfect” to be meaningful.

We are fairly private people and worry it will be an awkward experience.

I’m pretty sure most of my clients have worried about this at one point or another. It is totally normal to feel a little unsure or worried before trying something new. The best possible advice I have is to let me know about your concerns and we can chat on the phone until you feel happy to jump in and trust me.

Are you taking photographs ALL THE TIME?

No. I’m not. I’m with your family to tell a story of your day, or your life, not to record every moment. During shorter sessions, I do tend to take photos most of the time. During longer sessions, there will be more time when you won’t hear the sound of my camera shutter. Don’t try to read into it. Just trust me.

What if I don’t want my images to be published online?

This is absolutely fine. While I appreciate being able to market my business using some of the work I create, I have many clients who do not want their images published online and I respect their want for privacy.

Do you travel outside of Dublin?

Yes, absolutely. The short answer is that I am open to travel in Ireland and even Europe. The long answer is that I often work in Co. Meath, Co. Kildare, Co. Wicklow and Co. Louth. I include travel up to 50kms from Dublin Airport for my 2-hour session and 90kms for my half-day and full-day photography sessions. I have travelled to Co. Cork, Co. Galway, France and Switzerland for sessions. In these cases, a travel fee applies. If I’m not able to travel to your location, I may be able to recommend an other photographer, so make sure to get in touch anyway.

Not sure what’s right for you?

Every session starts with a conversation.

Tell me what you’re imagining, and I’ll help you choose the best fit for your season.