Elisa resides in Quebec and is the mother of two little girls.  She believes documenting our everyday lives is the closest we can come to preserving memories.

Where can we find you online (Website, Facebook, Instagram)?

www.elisaelliot.com
https://www.facebook.com/ElisaElliotPhotography
http://www.instagram.com/eliselliot

What’s your favorite lens for shooting this type of work?  And do you have any accessories you just love (filter, bag, camera strap, etc.)?

I only own 2 lenses, a 50 1.8 and an 24-70 2.8L. For this type of photography, I use my 24-70 almost exclusively.. It allows me to capture subjects within their environment. I am dreaming of one day owning a 35mm 1.4 prime lens.   With so much amazing equipment and tools out there, it is easy to get caught up in wanting every awesome lens, but budget has taught me to be patient, and push myself to work within the confines of what I do have today. Truth be told, I have owned my lenses for several years, and I am pretty sure my limitations far exceed those of my equipment.When it comes to accessories, I have been through a few camera bags and camera straps, but have yet to find “The One”. For now, my favourite camera bag remains my reliable LowePro SlingShot 202 AW. It is compact, light, easy to shoot with while on, and fits my equipment.What are you drawn to document? Is there a particular composition, technique, or mood you love?

I  am drawn to document the commonplace authentically, and that has been true since the moment I picked up a camera. Photography, for me, has become a practice of gratitude because I need to ask myself where to seek out and recognize the beauty in the ordinary.  Oftentimes, it’s in the stuff we take for granted, the little details we overlook- in the way we tuck our children in, their art we  stick on the fridge door, the way we know how to cut their sandwich, just so. When you capture love right, it never needs to be embellished. Regarding composition, for many years, I loved to documents things up close. Now, I appreciate how much a subject’s surroundings enrich my photos.  I am learning to better use elements in my subject’s environment to create more context, visual interest, and to draw you in to the story.What is the most valuable tip you have learned in pursuit of shooting in a more documentary style?

I am so grateful to my online world that has provided me with so much knowledge acquired from people I admire.  For me, Molly Flanagan’s Visual Storytelling class from Define school taught me so many different things,  one of which was to pay closer attention to my subject’s environment. Up until that class, there was a major disconnect between my subject and their surrounding, and when I began to understand that, much more complete stories emerged in my photography. I now strive to create photos with multiple layers, where more than one story is unfolding simultaneously, just as it does in real life.Why is storytelling photography important to you?  Why do you feel compelled to shoot with this approach?

We live in a strange world, where we broadcast our day-to-day lives online. It feels as though we are constantly competing somehow with each other, and while none of us lead perfect lives, we tend to try and  project perfection with what we share. As a result, it feels as though we are losing  the ability to notice the beauty of real life and our everyday moments. Storytelling photography is a medium that allows you to capture the truth, that this life, complete with its messes and struggles is unfolding as it was meant to, and that by being present and observant, you can find beauty everywhere. When you capture something honestly, it shows.Briefly tell us about your journey into family documentary photography.

My big camera arrived nine years ago, not long after my first daughter was born, soon followed by a 50 mm 1.8 lens. By the end of that first year, the rubber off that camera was worn, and I had taken about 100,000 photos, many of those close up shots.While those photographs remain extremely precious to me,  capturing many details of that time, looking pretty, and are lovely portraits, they somehow felt incomplete to me, and I knew I wanted more.  I decided to take on the challenge of learning how to shoot in manual, and, as my technical skills improved, it did not take long to realize that I was not taking the photos I wanted to take. That is when I really I started to pay attention to the photos I took that DID move me, that did capture what I wanted, that felt like they were in the direction I wanted to go. Most of the time, they were the shots that I had not set up, thy were candid and natural, the in-between moments, the ones that told the whole story, not just what we looked like, but who we were as a family.  I started following photographers that inspired me, one of which was Molly Flanagan, which, as luck would have it, announced her class, and I knew, without a doubt, it was exactly wanted I wanted and needed. Since taking that course, a whole new world has opened up for me. There is a spark that has been ignited, and I don’t see it dying out anytime soon. Storytelling photography is where my heart is.

Jessica is from Tacoma, Washington.  She has 4 kids and loves hot sauce.  Here’s what she has to say about documenting life with her camera.

Where can we find you online (Website, Facebook, Instagram)?

www.jessuhlerphoto.com
http://www.facebook.com/Jessuhlerphoto
http://www.instagram.com/jessuhler

What’s your favorite lens for shooting this type of work?  And do you have any accessories you just love (filter, bag, camera strap, etc.)? 

One of my first lenses was a 50 mm, and it taught me how to see details of composition, to get creative about angles and lines. Once I found my passion in family photojournalism and learning more about what makes a great photograph I started shooting more with my 35 2.0. Last year I bought the Sigma art 35 1.4 lens and I’m in love. It’s on my camera 90% of the time. I’m not a gear geek, and I’ve tried to become a better shooter within the constraints of my equipment, but I have to say that investing in this higher quality lens has made such a difference in the quality of my images and how I can shoot indoors. As far as accessories- I’ve tried a couple of the cute bags available and have not been impressed. They just don’t hold up well. For a recent international trip I bought a Crumpler bag. It’s not super cute or sexy, but it’s totally durable, comfortable, and designed really well. I’m still on the lookout for a fantastic everyday, stylish leather bag. Having done a ton of travel this year I’ve realized I just don’t love carrying my big camera around everywhere unless I’m on a job. The next purchase on my wish list is a Fuji mirrorless.

What are you drawn to document? Is there a particular composition, technique, or mood you love? 

When I became a mom and chose to stay home with my three young kids (now 4) I had a hard time making the transition from relative success in academia and the professional world to what felt like anonymity and invisibility. I really saw that what is traditionally women’s work, the life of the home, the shaping of a family, is absolutely invaluable, important and yet totally undervalued. I started using photography as a way to document for myself the moments that I was investing in which are so repetitive and mundane, but so beautiful and powerful as well. I think everyday family life, the details of our homes and how they reflect us is what inspires me the most. As far as mood, I used to really love easy, glowy light. It’s still pretty, but as I’ve grown technically as a shooter I am more drawn to contrast between light and shadow. It’s so much more interesting and dramatic. I’ll take gorgeous window light over safe outdoor open shade any day.

What is the most valuable tip you have learned in pursuit of shooting in a more documentary style?

That is a good question. I think the idea about composing a shot- looking for the light and the interesting composition- and then waiting for the decisive moment has changed how I shoot and made me a better photographer. Documentary photography, as most of our readers know, is so much more than mere candid photography. It takes intentionality and practice to “see” the right moment. The difference between a photograph and a snapshot can be fractions of a second. 

Why is storytelling photography important to you?  Why do you feel compelled to shoot with this approach? 

Having three older kids and one younger I know how true all those warnings about “it goes so fast” really are. Photography has become a way of journaling for me, a way to capture and document our life as it unfolds. I don’t have a lot of mementos or photographs from my childhood and I want these pictures to be a legacy for my kids and their kids. I need to start making more photobooks! And I believe the same is true for my clients. Our daily lives matter. The mundane shapes us and our children immensely more than the big events do. Documenting the beauty of it is a way to celebrate that and give thanks. I want people to remember what their families felt like, not just what everyone looked like sitting in a pretty field with matching clothes staring at the camera. 

Briefly tell us about your journey into family documentary photography.

I shot film in college and high school, took a few classes and loved it…but it fell by the wayside with kids and the expense of film and the darkroom was too much for a hobby. I got my first DSLR when my kids were little and re-ignited my interest in photography. I learned everything I could, then decided it would be a good idea to start a business. Truly, I didn’t know what I was doing. And I was looking at what other photographers were doing to guide me. Bad decision. I knew I wanted to make more than pretty pictures but I didn’t know how to combine that with client work. Once I stumbled upon Molly Flanagan’s work and took a couple classes from her it was like a light bulb. The biggest leap for me was digging deep and articulating WHY this type of photography matters to me, why I want to have a business doing this. Then everything became clear and began to fall into place. 

 

Erika is a midwestern girl now living in western Washington.  She has a 3 year old son, a serious coffee addiction, and is one of the co-founders of Sham of the Perfect.

Where can we find you online (Website, Facebook, Instagram)?

www.littlefishphoto.com
http://www.facebook.com/photosbylittlefish
http://www.instagram.com/travelingfish

What’s your favorite lens for shooting this type of work?  And do you have any accessories you just love (filter, bag, camera strap, etc.)?

My Sigma 35mm and my Sigma 24mm are my go-to lenses.  One of them is almost always on my camera.  I also recently fitted my camera with a Heritage Herringbone hand strap, which has been a total lifesaver.  My hands are small and I shoot with a Nikon D700 which is a bit of a beast so the hand strap makes it possible for me to shoot with one hand while feeling secure.  My other fave accessory is my circular polarizing filter.  We live near the water so having the filter to cut down glare from water and retain a little extra color in the sky is indispensable.

What are you drawn to document? Is there a particular composition, technique, or mood you love?

I love capturing humor, juxtapositions, and interactions between people.  I’m also a sucker for bold compositions using lines and negative space.

What is the most valuable tip you have learned in pursuit of shooting in a more documentary style?

Consider the overall scene first.  Then, figure out how your subject fits in that scene.

Why is storytelling photography important to you?  Why do you feel compelled to shoot with this approach?

Storytelling has always been what photography is about for me.  The camera is a way to present life in the most honest way possible.  If I wanted to create a beautiful, immaculate scene, I’d take up drawing or painting.  I want to show life as it is.  I want to portray truth as much as possible.

Shooting this way allows me to validate my perspective on life as well as providing visual supplements to the stories of where I have been what my family’s life has been like.

Briefly tell us about your journey into family documentary photography.

I remember always being drawn to documentary images growing up, but once I took a basic film class in college (as a part of a journalism/communications degree) I was totally hooked.  I continued to shoot as a hobbyist for the next several years, picking up my first DSLR in 2007.  In fall of 2013 the time was finally right for me to open a small business.  As I started taking clients my work was certainly more heavily lifestyle, although my heart always with more documentary work.  As I’ve become more confident in business my work has quickly shifted to being as documentary as my personal work has always been.     

Lacey is from Portland, Oregon, has a background in fine art, and is one of the co-founders of Sham of the Perfect.  She has two little kiddos and one big dog.

Where can we find you online (Website, Facebook, Instagram)?

www.laceymonroephotography.com/
https://www.facebook.com/laceymonroephotography
https://instagram.com/laceymonroe/

What’s your favorite lens for shooting this type of work?  And do you have any accessories you just love (filter, bag, camera strap, etc.)?

I have spent a lot of time (and way too much money) figuring out what I like to shoot with (here’s to buying used gear and selling it again when I’m over it!). My kit is definitely a lot more streamlined at this point, although there are still a few hanger-oners that I am debating cutting ties with (a lens or two and some old camera bodies). My go to lenses these days are my Sigma 35mm Art and my Canon 50mm L. I love primes and the ability to shoot wide open at 1.4 or 1.2 respectively. I also find the more normal focal lengths of the 50 and 35 are well suited for storytelling photography.

I don’t have a ton of accessories. However, I did just back a kickstarter for a new camera bag that looks like it should be pretty rad, which is great since I don’t really love any the my current bags. I love my holdfast moneymaker for when I’m shooting with two bodies (such as at weddings or when I am shooting hybrid during a family session).

What are you drawn to document? Is there a particular composition, technique, or mood you love?

I’m always trying document the authentic.

I know, I know, it is totally the buzzword of the day and every photographer out there says the same thing, but, dammit, I mean it! I want real. I want truth. I want to capture what makes a family tick- what makes them unique and strange and special. I want to capture the little routines and mundanities of life that in the moment you might not appreciate, but when the kids are grown they are the bits of life that you will wind up missing the most. It’s not the big moments and milestones that are the pulsing heart of the family; it’s the everyday activities that shape who we are and make up the true history of us.

What is the most valuable tip you have learned in pursuit of shooting in a more documentary style?

The best tip I have learned is also something I constantly struggle with and that is to trust yourself.

Trust your vision. Be yourself. Find your voice and identify what you want to say with your photography. It’s really hard to not just chase the likes and only post things you think will be well received by the masses. It’s tough. I know. I get it. It is all too easy to constantly compare and photo stalk others, even though it ends up being a loop where you just feel worse and worse about yourself and the work you are producing. Stop being a pale imitation of others and produce work that makes your heart sing. It’s something I strive to achieve day after day. Some days I win and actually feel good about the work I’m producing, but other days I fail and hate every photograph I’ve taken and am pretty sure I should probably just quit. Know that those feelings are 100% normal and every artists feels them; the key is to just keep going and try not to give too much room in your head and heart for those negative thoughts to fester and grow. Of course, this advice applies no matter what style you shoot in, but that does not negate its importance to storytelling photographers, especially since the popular pinterest-y poses are far cry from documentary style photography.

Why is storytelling photography important to you?  Why do you feel compelled to shoot with this approach?

Storytelling photography is important to me because I want to create something that is more than a pretty picture. That is not to say that I don’t want my work to be beautiful, because I absolutely do. I also want it to be funny and raw and full of love and laughter and little details and overarching narratives and all of that is so much more than pretty. Something can be beautiful without being pretty. In fact, I think the overlap of pretty and beautiful is pretty rare. That’s not to say I haven’t taken my share of pretty pictures- pretty light, pretty poses, pretty smiles… and all of it vapid, empty, and forced. I’m over it. Those photos don’t elicit any feelings. They don’t make me think. They don’t cause me to look at it again and again in an attempt to really try to see the photo. They are just pretty and, for me, that is no longer enough. Storytelling moves beyond pretty and the more I shoot in this style the more it speaks to me as an artist and as a mother.

Briefly tell us about your journey into family documentary photography.

My undergraduate degrees are in Art and Art History from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!). It was there that I had my first photography course (it was all film, because I am old like that), but it wasn’t until studying abroad my junior year that photography really grabbed hold of me. After college I tried selling my photos, but really had no idea what I was doing. While my art classes taught me all about techniques, materials, and methodologies, there was never any real discussion of how you monetize your work. So I tried, failed, and gave up. I went back to school to become a public Montessori teacher and spent the new few years in the classroom, while keeping photography as a hobby. I took a year off from teaching with the birth of my son (Judah, you can see him all over my weekly Sham of the Perfect photos). It was during this time that I decided to try again to monetize my photography. This time I had resources and connections that I could turn to for business advice, something that was severely lacking on my first go around. Another major difference is that this time I was marketing myself as a portrait photographer, instead of trying to sell “fine art” photographs (trust me, if you saw those old images you would understand why the quotation marks are necessary). My style has definitely evolved and been refined through the years. At first I shot everything and anything clients threw at me (weddings and seniors and boudoir, oh my!), but over time I found that storytelling and documentary family photography was my happy place. Since opening my business we have moved (a few times) and I had baby number two (Shosh, who also has a starring role in my Sham of the Perfect images). The years have gone by in bit of a blur, but I remain excited about photography and the direction my business is headed as a storytelling family photographer.

Vicki is Sham’s European representative.  She is from Littlecote, Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom and loves capturing the variety of her families’ everyday moments.

Where can we find you online (Website, Facebook, Instagram)?www.vickihullphotography.com
http://www.facebook.com/vickihullphotography
http://www.instagram.com/vickihullpics