Home …. where our story begins. There’s nothing more important in a child’s life than the home you’ve created for them, and when they’re grown and out of the house, with families of their own, they will think back to those days…
In a Day in the Life Family Documentary session, I spend the day with a family, documenting what happens in their natural environment. I love being a silent observer and photographing authentic interactions that happen when they forget about the camera – not staged or contrived, but natural. Which is why I use only the natural light that gently filters through the windows of their home – so that they can see their lives authentically.
I felt so privileged to spend the day with single mom, Anik, and her 5-year-old daughter, Kyra. They truly have their own little world together, and I loved documenting it.
This type of lifestyle session has become so special to me and to those I work with. Children grow up fast. Documenting milestones is important, but taking photographs of daily life allows us to freeze time in a different, meaningful way. By spending the day with a family, I can deliver memories of their lives now: their children’s favorite toys, childhood rooms, their life, and commemorate the fun and relaxed moments with their parents at home.
The playful times…
I can’t help but wonder if Kyra would remember playing ball in the house … in their Christmas dresses … without this photograph?
Anik and Kyra spent part of their day making mint brownies, as Kyra loves to bake. After Mom helped her put on her floral apron, Kyra climbed up on a chair to help. I could tell this is an activity that they do often, as Kyra knew exactly what to do. Anik told me, “We make brownies quite a bit. She wants to have her own YouTube Channel where she can explain how she bakes things.”
I was charmed by Kyra and Anik. They have a gentle relationship, and I think these photographs show the emotional connection between them.
Anik is a Certified Law of Attraction Life Coach and owner of Anik Perspectives. I had the pleasure of taking some photographs for her website, so I am familiar with the work she does — but I loved seeing how she brings some of this home with her. As part of her job, Anik holds retreats, which is not surprising, as their home life in St. Pete feels like a family retreat.
Lego time!
Anik is also a representative for doTerra oils. She and Krya use doTerra essential oils on their feet to help them relax. It was sweet to watch this 5-year-old gently massage the oil into Mom’s feet.
Mom has taught her daughter about what oils to use for different purposes, and they each have their favorite scents.
Krya and Anik love crafting together, and making dream catchers has become a hobby recently. When they go on bike rides in the Tampa Bay area, they collect items like feathers, twigs, seed pods, and acorns that they use to make dream catchers.
Kyra has a dream box that her mother bought for her in Utah. In Native American tradition, if you write your dream down, put it in the box, and say your dream out loud each night, it will come true. Kyra placed a note that said “I am Elsa” (from Disney’s Frozen) into the box. Then, she hung her dream catcher over her bed for good measure. The next morning, Kyra ran to her mom and announced, “I had a dream that I was Elsa!” She likes to say that her dream came true … in her dreams!
As a photographer, these sessions are important to me because I am able to photograph the connections and feelings that families have now, but aren’t able to see. Think about it. When your children are looking through photographs 20 or 30 years from now, they’ll see where their memories came from – how you played with them, held them; how you looked at them … how you felt about them.
Doing an at-home documentary session like this one makes me smile, and I feel so thankful that I get to be the photographer who enters their world.
You can watch a highlight video from my day spent with Kyra and Anik here.
If you are interested in booking a Family Documentary session, contact me here. I would love to get to know you!
Oh, and Mom acted as Kyra’s film production crew for her very first YouTube video on how to make Brownies! She’s just too cute! Check it out here:
thislifephotoblog.wordpress.com 
I love that you were able to capture us Melinda in these special moments, that are everyday moments for us, but feel so much more special when they can be captured and looked at again and again. These fleeting moments that go by so quickly, we will be able to return to again and again and relive them together, Kyra and I. Thank you so much. -Anik
LikeLike
Awww, I’m so happy that you’re thrilled with your photographs! It was fun – you and Kyra are so beautiful and I loved observing and capturing your little world!
LikeLike