Before we get into it, I’m Emily, a Michigan family photographer with availability for in home, outdoor, and funky creative photo sessions! Give me a shout if you’re ready for an adventure with your family with me tagging along and helping you capture those fleeting memories.
Ok keep reading for my tips on printing photos from your family session!
Why Printing Your Family Photos Matters (Especially If You Have Kids)
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was flip through our family photo albums. Not just the birthday parties and holidays, but the every day stuff too. Photos of me coloring at the coffee table, random outdoor adventures, snapshots of school plays (shoutout to my unforgettable performance as Goldilocks in second grade). Those little moments are still precious to me.
I grew up looking at my life, page by page, and even all these years later, those printed photos still feel like magic. Not because they’re perfectly posed or edited, but because they happened. They’re proof we were there. That’s why I feel so passionately about printing your family photos. Especially the documentary-style sessions, where we capture real life as it’s lived.
So today, let’s talk about why printing your photos, and especially building albums, is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids (and yourself).
The Wish to Remember Everything (and Why Most of It Is Imperfect)
Let’s be honest. Life moves fast (hello Ferris). If you’re a parent, you’re probably juggling about eighty things right now (possibly while reading this). Between laundry, lunchboxes, and wild toddler dance parties in the living room, it’s easy to blink and realize an entire season has passed.
And while we have phones bursting with snapshots, they often stay locked up in digital purgatory. Out of sight, out of mind.
But here’s the thing: memories don’t always last. Having a tangible photo, a printed image you (or your kiddo) can hold, flip through, point to, does something really special. It turns a fleeting moment into part of your family’s story. It sparks conversations, helps kids reflect on who they are, and lets them see themselves as belonging, as loved.
And that includes the messes, the play, the quiet moments on the couch, and yes, even the weird snack combos your toddler insisted on last week. (Strawberries and ranch again? Okay.)
How to Preserve Your Documentary Session: My Top Printing Tips
Let’s get into it. If you’ve had a documentary-style session (or you’re planning one), here’s how to take all those real-life moments and turn them into something beautiful and lasting.
Print an Album – Not Just a Few Favorites
Sure, it’s wonderful to frame your top five photos. But a documentary session tells a story. It’s less about “the best shot” and more about how all the pictures connect. The way your baby holds your finger, or your kids belly-laughing at each other in the background, those photos are just as important (if not more important) as the “smile at the camera” ones.
- I recommend printing an album through a professional lab. I use Miller’s, the quality is incredible, and I’ve been super happy with their turnaround times and cover styles.
- If you book with me, we can build the album together and make sure the layout flows like your story. Or you can build your own using the tools in your gallery (I use Pic-Time, which lets you design an album from your session gallery and have it sent straight to you).
The benefit of working directly with me? More cover options, layout flexibility, and hands-on help if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choices.
Tell the Story in Order (Or At Least With Flow)
For documentary sessions, I recommend laying the photos out chronologically or in a flow that mirrors the rhythm of your day. Think of it like a photo version of a journal entry.
- A few pulled-back shots to show the setting (your cozy kitchen, the neighborhood trail, the playroom explosion)
- Candid in-between moments (think snack breaks, sibling whispers, a quiet breastfeed)
- A mix of close-ups and wide shots to add variety and emotion
These types of layouts make the album feel more immersive. Like you’re stepping back into that day and the emotions that came with it.
Keep Some “Detail” Photos in the Mix
Just like a wedding album includes shots of the rings or your lace veil, your everyday life has its own tiny details. The chipped mug you drink coffee from. The corner of the blanket fort. The sticker-covered fridge.
I always include a few soft detail shots in your gallery, and they work beautifully in albums. They give context and nostalgia in a way no posed photo can.
Create a Gallery Wall Too (But Be Selective)
You don’t need to print every single image for your walls. That’s where an album is your go-to. But for those few images that stop you in your tracks, the one where your partner and your toddler are laughing in sync, or the shot where all the chaos calmed just long enough for a hug, those definitely deserve a place on your wall.
If documentary style feels a bit “raw” for wall art, lean toward the images that have strong composition or beautiful light. Real doesn’t mean messy. Real can be radiant too.
Bonus: Monthly Prints with Chatbooks or Similar Apps
If your phone is bursting (join the club, the last I checked I was at around 68,000 photos…), I’m also a fan of Chatbooks for easy, on-the-go monthly prints from your phone pics. It’s not the same as a professionally printed album, but it’s a great supplement. My kids love flipping through them, and I love that we can relive those everyday photos without digging through ten years of cloud backups.
Here’s the Heart of It: Your Family’s Story Matters
I think we get caught up in curating perfection when what matters most is presence. That’s why documentary-style photography is so close to my heart. It shows the way your life actually feels. Joyful. Messy. Ordinary and unforgettable all at once.
And when you print those memories, they become something your kids can return to again and again. Something they’ll hold in their own adult hands one day and remember: this was us. We laughed here. We loved here. We lived.
Ready to Print Your Story?
If we’ve worked together before, and you want help creating an album or printing your favorite shots, let me know! I’ll walk you through your options, help you design a layout, and make sure the final product feels just right.
If you haven’t had a session yet but this all sounds like your cup of tea (or your kid’s half-spilled apple juice), take a peek at emmyolliephoto.com, and let’s make some magic.
Photography isn’t just about the photos. It’s about what you do with them. Let’s turn your little life into something your kids can hold forever. And if after reading this you’re still like, huh, what IS documentary-style photographer, fret not! I have a blog post about that!
