"Now to be a family we've got to love each other
At any cost unselfishly
And our home must be a place that fully abounds with grace
A reflection of His face"
-'Household of Faith'- Steven Green
The Coursen family, do you remember this precious family? If you have been following my work for awhile then you will remember who they are. They are very dear to my heart. In case you need your memory poked or if you need to meet them, please visit this page: Crabtree Park, Coursen Session.
Lifestyle sessions are some of my favorite sessions to do. They are, for the most part, unposed. The focus is not on traditional posing or posing at all. BUT that does not mean that these sessions are unplanned. Things such as clothing and activities are indeed planned. I like to send out a questionnaire to clients to help me prepare for their session but also to help them think about what results they would like to achieve. There are questions asking about what type of activities do you like to do as a family and if there are any special moment that are important for us to document. That way before our session together we both have direction. We have activities loosely planned. Notice that I said 'loosely'? I feel that it is VERY important to be prepared for anything BUT to also go with the flow. Especially when working with babies and children. We may have plans but they may decide that's not on the days menu at the last moment. And that is ok! In fact, this is welcome and expected.
With the Coursen family. we discussed what a normal evening looks like for them and what they would like to document. Keep in mind that a lifestyle session is (to me) a combination of documentary photography and portrait photography. Documenting a unique time of your life. It can be capturing the simple activities that you do daily to the extravagant.
So we discussed baking and worship time as a starting point. Daily bible readings and worship is a family time that I felt was most important to capture with this young family as it is a significant and normal part of their daily lives. We started with baking but as expected, 2 of the kiddos wanted to keep playing in their room with their dolls. And that is perfect! Why? Because I want them to be uninterested in the camera and keep doing what they do! Life is beautiful as it is. So I went in and captured them playing. And I captured Mr. Coursen doing what he would normally be doing at that time, creating his lesson plans. But at some point, to keep interest, we do need to get everyone involved in being together as a family. So we in time we asked the older girls to help with baking. And they wanted to because previously there was no pressure to help because 'the photographer was there' to document it.
As the cupcakes baked, I captured worship time. This was my personal favorite because it was so natural. 100% unposed and full of love, energy and LOVE!!
We then moved to Lego time as it is what the girls like to do with daddy. Daddy special time! Then we moved to the girls room for 'ring around the rosey' and to my surprise....tackle time. Yes, sisters like to tackle too!
It was at this time that we did the few posed photos. But still they show the personality of each kiddo, which I love.
If you are interested in an unposed/lifestyle session, please contact me. You do not have to have a newborn or even children at all. These sessions are all about capturing a little snippet of your life right now.
As always, thank you Coursen family for your time and friendship! Go forth and keep on rockin'
