Short story telling session with your family


First things first, you don't need to worry or wonder "what should we do". During your session you’ll go about your day as you normally would and it is my job as the documentary photographer to observe and take photos without prompts, posing or intervention.


The result will be natural, real and honest photos, that allow you to travel back in time to that little slice of life. I've heard it described as a fly on the wall account, but I won't be like a fly on the wall...more like having a friend over for a chat (with a camera!)


It's really important that we all feel comfortable on the day. It's important for you, and it's important for me! This means there's a few things you should know and expect from your session.

Person drinking directly from a bottle in a kitchen with natural light coming through the window.
A child on a step stool cleaning a toilet with blue cleaning supplies.
Family relaxing together on a brown leather sectional sofa in living room.

Preparing your home for your session – or not! The most important thing about your pictures is to leave behind keepsakes for your family – not to impress strangers on social media with a spotless kitchen. Please just carry on as normal, don't feel under pressure to do anything out of the ordinary.



How you dress matters! To have an honest record of your family, you should dress like you do every day. White t-shirts all round are lovely for some, but realistically it's not what most people would choose to put their 4 year old in on a normal day. I'm for fairy wings, Christmas pj's in July, and clothes that make you comfortable. Your everyday. Whatever it is. Be you. It’s the expressions, the action and the connections that are most important.


Let your kids be themselves. Tantrums, tears, shouting, jumping off the back of the couch...just let them be! I don't expect anyone to behave in a certain way and I certainly won't be judging...as a Mammy to 2 wild women...I know the secret...we are all winging it! If you need to correct your kids that's fine, please do as you would regardless of me being there or not, but it's also really important to let them be themselves. If that's messy clothes, teary eyes and a dirty face, so be it! The one thing I like to highlight before a session is this- If you see me photographing something, it's because I've seen something I feel is worth capturing. By stepping in and telling your child to stop, smile, look at the camera, say cheese etc, the moment is interrupted and more than likely the opportunity for that photo to be captured and what followed naturally will be lost too. This is the key factor I really ask all adults to be mindful of. I do not and will not be judging behaviour, I can guarantee you I left a similar family situation behind the morning I arrive at your house, so please keep in mind, just be you, let the kids be kids and I promise you'll be glad you did. If you have a small baby, just let them lead, we will go with the flow and keep it relaxed.

Closeup of hands holding a partially eaten red apple.

I will show up in comfy clothes and probably take my shoes off at some stage. I have to be comfortable to be able to crawl on floors, lay in the grass, or climb on furniture while taking photos so I will be dressed casually!


I am a terrible baby sitter! If you leave the kids alone with me in a room, I will take photos of whatever happens – whether they’re drawing on your wall or smearing ice cream on the dog. I will intervene but only if I think something dangerous is about to happen.


I will talk to you, just as a friend would while they’re hanging out. This usually helps people forget what I’m up to, as well as gives me clues about what I should look for to incorporate into your photos. I might not start to take photos straight away, we all need time to warm up! I won't be consistently taking photos, there will be time for tea, a chat and a natural lull during the session from time to time. From experience I feel this works well, make people relax abit more and as the time goes by, you might notice (or perhaps not notice!) that I will work a close to you. These are when the photos that give you all the feels are created.


Don’t mind me! I might step up on a chair and I will get up close and personal with my camera. I will step in and step out very quickly but i will get close. Please makes sure everyone who will be there for the session understands the way I work (this is the secret to a great session!). I will move about your home over the course of the session, just as you will. When people stop what they are doing to smile at the camera, or correct kids, move things etc- this will stop the flow of how I work. So basically everyone just needs to pretend i'm not there!


Clean house- If your house gets a little messy over the course of the day, great! When your kids look back on this day in 10 years time, they will want to see life as it was. People often confuse clean and tidy and in turn "tidy up" lots of great bits and pieces that add so much character to the story of your day.

Children at a kitchen table during snack or meal time.
Woman sitting on leather couch folding pink laundry in living room.
Adult playfully dangling child upside down on couch during family playtime.
Bowl of cereal with square shaped pieces floating in milk.
Two people looking at handheld device while sitting by window.
Rainy view through modern window panes with wooden flooring in foreground.
Hands playing with colorful game pieces on wooden floor.
Adult and child sitting on floor playing together near large window.
Person loading a bicycle into the trunk of a dark colored car while a child stands in the background.
Two children sharing a joyful moment outdoors wearing cozy winter clothing.
Family gathered in living room with colorful bookshelves and pink couch.
Child in yellow hoodie and gray jacket making a playful expression.
Three children sitting on hood of car wearing colorful casual clothing.
Two people engaged in playful tug of war over food at dining table.
Child in red apron standing at kitchen counter with mixing bowl.
Young person using step stool to reach bathroom sink while cleaning.
Child sitting alone on tiled floor in hallway near window.
Adult teaching child to ride a bicycle in outdoor courtyard.
Child in pink rainboots feeding brown chickens in backyard garden.
Rubber boots and dog paws stand on wet pavement during a rainy day outdoors.

what if it rains?


Chance are in Ireland...it will! We won't panic. As much as it would be really lovely to get some part of the day outside, if it doesn't happen, let's not worry. There's lots of lovely things you can do inside but also a little rain won't matter, jumping in muddy puddles, welly boots and wooly hats always make a great story and if you don't mind- I won't mind. We can wrap small babies up and get out for a walk if its not too cold. Center Parcs Longford

Close-up view of small hands playing with a colorful sparkly sticker or toy.
A young toddler in a pink shirt eats a snack.
Collection of colorful rain boots lined up by a window on a patterned rug.
Two people playing and dancing in a bright living room with colorful furniture.
Someone reaching to unlock a white door handle with brass fixtures.
Two people playing with a string or rope by large windows in a bright room.
Someone brushing their teeth at a bathroom sink with a mirror.
Person in pink shirt helping with toilet cleaning while standing on a step stool.
Small child in pink sitting on a pink potty seat while reading.
Family having breakfast together at a wooden table with newspapers and drinks.
Close-up view of electronic keyboard keys with someone's hand resting on wooden surface.
Child in pink shirt writing or drawing on wall mounted paper.
Hands adjusting star-patterned skirt with pink sweater.
Child in navy patterned jacket jumping excitedly on concrete patio.
Tender moment shared outdoors against white wall.

I can't wait for our session!

and remember

"where there is perfection there is no story to tell"