Frederikke Brostrup is a family documentary photographer in Copenhagen who has been working in this field for eleven years. She loves “real life and all the everyday-poetry that’s all over childhood and family life.”
You can see more of Frederikke’s work on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Celina: You mentioned being into documentary photography for the past 11 years, how and when did you get into family documentary photography? And how do you stay motivated and inspired to keep shooting families?
I have been doing family photography for 11 years. I started with short in home sessions, like 1 hour-sessions and I was in the beginning especially drawn to kids’ portraits. During the last 3-5 years I have been doing more and more documentary and found all these lovely international communities and workshops for family documentary photography, which inspire me a lot. I got a lovely mentor in Kirsten Lewis, and I have been working with her over the last 2 years. And new friends all over the world is great too. 😉
To me family life is the nerve in the society- this is where we lean to be a part of “the group” – the love, the conflicts, the hard work, all the repetitions, the forgiveness, the lessons….it will fascinate me till I die – and every family are unique but we can still reflect each other! I will never stop doing family documentary photography!
Leslie: How has documentary family photography changed over the past 11 years? What do you like least and most about the transition?
I think that documentary photography is growing worldwide. More and more photographers are drawn to real life more than the constructed and posing photos. And I love the way we feed families’ courage to see their family as they are, instead of what they want it to be or look like. Real life rocks 🙂
What I like least….is difficult because what’s not to like about this transition? If I should mention one thing, it is when photographers not doing documentary are calling their work documentary. And it’s not because I am snobby about it. Everybody is welcome to work documentary – but we have to be aware of what genre it is… and it really takes time and courage to get there. Like all other kinds of genre! Most of all I hope, that when we talk about documentary photography with our clients, they are not expecting posing pictures where the family are wearing matching colors. Nothing wrong with that – but it is not documentary photography!
Erika: I love how your images seem to show smaller, less dramatic moments with more subtle emotion and gesture but the images still grab your attention because the overall composition is so strong. What are your best tips or favorite practices for improving one’s composition skills?
Thank you that’s beautiful words you put on my work! It’s all about finding your own voice. For some photographers it takes years, and for others it’s just there from the beginning. Both are normal. Some photographers find great inspiration watching other photographers work, and some lose themselves doing that. I think it’s so important to go with your own feelings and not trying to make photos like the other photographers. Because you can’t, and you shouldn’t. Get inspired of composing, light, angles … watch and learn!
But what you want to tell in the frame…is yours! Is it the drama, the humor, the tenderness, the relationships….this is where you will find your own voice! Practice Practice Practice! Go to workshops where you get critic and practice – and maybe find a mentor to share your process with.
Heather: What moments are you drawn to while shooting?
I am especially drawn to the feelings! And the children! All the feelings that are not told but shown is fantastic to capture. It can be anger, jealousy, shyness, sadness, joy, peace….. And often the feelings are so strong that I feel them too. That’s crazy but that’s when I know that I got a strong moment…. and if the light is perfect too, I can’t help slipping a small sound of joy! 😉 It’s magic!
Jessica: What do you feel are your greatest strengths as a photographer? Your biggest opportunity for growth?
That’s a difficult one…I think it is that I am kind of fearless. Meaning I am not scared of getting close, not scared of the families feelings. Not scared of conflicts, anger, grief, bedrooms, naked kids crawling on me, breastmilk in my face, dads snoring half naked in his bed and all these funny and recognizable moments! And then I think that I have a good feeling about other people’s limits and my own limits, which is important when you work that close. I will work till I can’t walk anymore! 😉
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