How to Photograph Your Own Family (2023 UPDATE)

Today we're continuing an old series talking all about family documentation! One of my favorite things outside of photography is documenting and photography my kids as they grow up! It is something I'm very passionate about, so in this video I'm sharing an update to the things I've been doing to document my children as they grow!

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0:00 Intro
00:23 Family Album
03:25 12 Month Frames
05:13 Promptly Journal
08:10 Printing & Framing Photos
12:09 1 Second Everyday App
14:43 iPhone Photos (Chat Books)

[amyliz]

This is my favorite content, maybe bc I'm not a photographer, but I want to know how people who really care document their children. You are the only person I've found who talks about it. I'm glad you mentioned how meaningful the notes from your parents are because that is something I've done since I found out I was pregnant bc I wanted my baby to know he was a part of my life from the very beginning.

[MichaelSeneschal]

For the folks who have iPhones, the iMovie app has a feature called Storyboards where you basically just place videos into an already made timeline. iMovie will even tell you what kind of videos to insert (it follows a complete story, so suggestions to add videos like, “add a title that includes the destination’, and ‘show reactions to getting there’, ‘show unique local food’…. and on and on). It’s like paint-by-numbers for movie making. I’ve made a Travel Storyboard for our last 2 family trips and added iMovie’s suggested videos, and boy is is great. I feel like I focus more on the trip and my family rather than capturing all the video just in case. And at the end of the trip, boom there’s a solid 2ish minute video that follows a storyline. The last 2 family trips I’ve done this and, while it’s not perfect, the time spent vs final product can’t be beat.

[nelehoremans]

I am so happy you forgot about the algorithm and that you did this video! I am among the people that loves your channel also because (or mainly because) you do this family documenting video's, thank you Katelyn

[hannahferris]

I watched your first yearbook videos right when i started having babies and its literally changed my life. It gives me so much joy to plan and make these and im so grateful you shared your process.

[autumnbaileyRPqualifying]

Katelyn, thank you! Seeing how you post your monthly portraits of your kids as newborns has saved me. I didn't do the mat pictures so I felt like I failed as a mom, but now your idea is way more beautiful and my style. Thank you so much.

[sophiebuckmusic]

I love this! I'm not a professional photographer or a mom, but I love following the journey of this sweet family!

[kdspengler]

I LOVE this content. I find photographers don’t talk about this enough! I know what lots of other photographers do professionally with their processes etc for a one time event/session but not for their ongoing small batches of personal photos and meaningful documentation. I’ve gotten overwhelmed over the years and really like hearing 1. New ideas and workflows for family/personal photos 2. I’m not alone in still trying to figure things out with mobile photos while respecting privacy. 💜👏

[DTme]

Thank you for this video. As a photographer and more importantly a young husband, this is extraordinarily helpful advice. I know that growing up I had huge gaps of months, even years of family photos and videos. Memories that will or have been forgotten.

My wife and I will greatly benefit from the ideas and wisdom you shared regarding family documentation through photos and videos. I really like the idea of a yearly album!

I take so many photos for other people, its easy sometimes to forget to come out from behind the view finder and capture memories for our family.

[sharrontompkins]

😭❤️I love this! Thank you for the refocus, "don't give up, just readjust." I have 4 kids, run/growing a restaurant, studying photography... thank you for this video. You are precious ❤️

[AbbeyForney]

I love the “This Is How We Do…” family content. It is so relatable, helpful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing it despite what the algorithms say.

[stephaniealberse]

I love this! We were just watching old family vhs videos and made me think of ways to have those “home videos” like I did!

[autumnbaileyRPqualifying]

Woman I felt like we are sitting down for a chat right now...this is amazing. Your thoughts and processing are incredible to witness.

[davidtaranzaphotography]

Hello Katelyn, thanks for sharing all those valuable tips! I love how your eyes get wet with love every few minutes. That's so sweet! ❤ Wish you a joyous and successful 2023!

[zachlucas]

I love the idea of a family yearbook! Definitely have to start doing that.

[karahoffmanphotography]

I just got 1 second every day and I love it!!

[sarahkeim]

Thank you so much for this!! I struggle with ALL these things so much so I love your tips and recommendations. Love the journal recommendation, want to be more intentional about that. Also love the family album and 1 sec every day for videos! Biggest takeaway: just start where you are! I definitely needed to hear someone else say that!

[leilani]

This is a beautiful idea. I just purchased my very first camera and would love to do this as a gift to my parents this Christmas.

[laceykane]

Thank you for sharing this, and well, pretty much everything! I just watched your "Brand Booster" video and following it with this one really reminds me why I love you so much! It is really hard to find someone so relatable and knowledgeable that keeps my interest. I can never turn away from your content! Thank you for being so honest, humble and full of goals that I would love to continue to work toward!

[heatherkampans]

I needed this video! Thank you Katelyn.

[princesskkay]

I like to change my photos out based on holidays/seasons. When it’s Christmas time I removed the Halloween/fall photos and put in our family Christmas photos from that year, same with summer, spring, fall etc. I don’t want to look at pics of my kids on the beach at Christmas. That’s when I hang up them with Santa, cutting down the tree, baking cookies etc