family photoshoot at home playing monopoly

One of the reasons I love documentary approach to family photography is that it’s a true record of the family life that will stand the test of time. During my photoshoots you are not just capturing your family’s likeness, but we are also recording – and preserving – the activities that you enjoy engaging  in together, the family dynamics, your relationships with each other, and so much more.

And what’s  more important, mum and dad are also in the photos, playing, laughing, engaging with the kids. What a wonderful gift to have for the children!

This family photoshoot in Esher, Surrey, has got to be one of my absolute favourites to date. Older children are usually a little trickier to photograph, as they are very self-aware, and not so keen to be photographed with mum and dad walking up and down the park and holding hands.

Well here’s where my brief to pick a couple of favourite activities to enjoy, and just plan an enjoyable couple of hours together, really comes into play. Because when you’re doing something you love, even the most reluctant teen soon forgets the camera is even there!

This family decided to start with a game of Monopoly (and I must say, I’ve never seen so much passion and so much competitiveness with a board game – all of which of course made for most wonderful photos) and then, after a short drive away, went for a walk on Esher Commons (with a spot of spontaneous den building) and finishing it all of with a fantastic game that’s their own, rugby tennis.

Getting a range of action shots of the kids and the parents playing rugby tennis was so much fun. I was soaking wet from sitting on the grass and ducking, trying not to get hit by the rugby ball! But it was so worth it as I’ve ended up with some fantastic images, many of which made their way to the family’s wall, and the rest ended up in their big family album. Here are some favourites from their session, with a sneaky peek at their album at the very end, too!

shot from above of monopoly board

family playing monopoly at home
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family building a den in esher common

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family playing rugby in esher common

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The family have opted for a set of digital images, a set of Fine Art Albums, and a collection of framed Fine Art Prints to go on their walls in their beautiful Esher home. Here’s just a little peek inside their album.