How to Choose the Right Photo Session Near Me: Why Real Life Deserves to Be Remembered
When you're searching for a photo session near me, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the options. Studio portraits, themed minis, perfectly posed family photos in golden hour light—they all have their place. But what if you’re looking for something more real?
As a Calgary-based documentary family photographer, I work with families who want more than a highlight reel. They want the story behind the smiles. The quiet in-between moments. The chaos, the comfort, and the connection of real life.
So, what makes a Day in the Life session different?
Instead of choosing a curated location or perfect outfits, we choose your real life. That might mean breakfast with bedhead and cereal on the floor. It might mean your toddler in a superhero costume, or your dog following you from room to room, begging for attention (or food). These are the details that won’t last forever—and that’s why they matter.
When clients tell me they’ve been searching for a "photo session near me" that actually feels like them, this is what they mean. They don’t want to squeeze into someone else’s idea of perfect. They want to remember their own lives, just as they are.
“It’s hard to explain how much I love the photos Alison took. She captured the kids exactly as I see them through my own eyes. The documentary style is the best way to do that—and Alison made us all feel so comfortable. We also ordered a large acrylic wall piece and it’s seriously incredible—such a beautiful way for us and the kids to enjoy the photos every day.”
What should you look for in a photographer?
Here are three things to consider when you're browsing those "photo session near me" results:
Style – Are the photos posed, or are they real moments? Which do you want to remember?
Connection – Does the photographer take time to understand your family dynamic?
Experience – Will this feel like another task, or like something that helps you slow down and be present?
Final thought
If you’re looking for a photo session near me that celebrates your real life—messy, beautiful, and completely yours—I’d love to chat. Documentary sessions aren’t about performing. They’re about preserving.
Ready to create something meaningful? [Let’s talk about your session] and how we can tell your story—exactly as it is.
