Family Photography: Photojournalism in the Home

Families are in constant motion. The relationships between parents, among siblings, and across generations are complex, fluid, and intense. Capturing the nuanced interplay of emotions in a family is no mean feat, and traditionally, photographers have chosen to summarize these relationships in pre-scripted, highly posed images.

Kirsten Lewis has developed a new way of photographing family dynamics. Bringing photojournalistic principles into this practice, she follows the family as they live their lives to create unique, powerful imagery. 
In this class, you’ll learn:

• How to capture a full day in a family’s life, including conflicts and resolutions
• Adapting your camera to changing lighting and settings as you follow the family
• How to narrow down day in the life images for final delivery  
  

For the first time, Kirsten is allowing cameras to follow her throughout an entire day’s shoot with a family. Learn her process as she finds meaningful moments in a day full of activities such as morning routines, mealtimes, and the small moments of bickering and joy that make up the life of a family. Leave this class with the confidence to walk into any family situation with strong ideas, and create compelling memories for your clients.

• Introduction
• The Evolution of Family Photography
• Defining Family Photography Genres
• The History of Photojournalism
• My Rules for Photojournalism
• Embracing the Unique
• Developing Personal Perspective
• Healing Through Photography
• Student Image Review
• Setting Expectations
• Waiting for the Story
• Working the Scene
• Shooting the Morning Routine
• Afternoon Routine
• Evening Chaos
• Bathtime and Storytime
• Q&A
• Getting and Maintaining Clients
• Marketing in Your Own Way
• Final Product and Delivery
• Student Website Review
• Contact Sheet Review
• Image Reveal with Family
• Critique: Anticipating the Moment
• Critique: Composition
• Critique: Isolating the Moment
• Critique: Watching Edges
• Critique: Squaring Up & Picture Choice
• Critique: Getting in Close
• Critique: Defining the Subject
• Critique: Cropping
• Critique: Photographer's Perspective
• Critique: Light
• Personal Fears
• Professional Fears
• Taking Risks
• RAW Image Culling & Critique