Why This Photo of My Kids Fighting Won an International Award (and Why I Love It)
In a world where so much feels curated, real moments have never mattered more. Family life is beautiful, chaotic, and fleeting — and that's exactly what I aim to capture through my documentary family photography.
Perfect smiles and matching outfits have their place, but the quiet (and not-so-quiet) moments in between are what truly tell your family’s story. It's these everyday memories that grow more meaningful with time — and I'm honoured to create lasting photographs that reflect them honestly.
What Are the Documentary Family Photography Inspiration Awards?
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of being recognized by the Documentary Family Photography Worldwide Community through their Inspiration Awards.
Unlike traditional photography competitions, the Inspiration Awards focus solely on real, unscripted moments. Judges are looking for emotional impact, storytelling, and authenticity — not staged scenes or technically perfect setups.
It's an international competition, judged by respected photographers who understand the power of true documentary work. To have my work recognized on this stage was deeply meaningful, not just professionally, but personally.
About the Winning Photograph: "Sibling Rivalry"
One of the photographs that received an award features my own children — two brothers locked in a classic, everyday moment of childhood: fighting.
It’s not the kind of image most people would think to frame. But for me, it captures something honest about growing up, about sibling dynamics, and about the fierce love that often shows itself in less-than-peaceful ways.
When I look at that photo now, I’m reminded not just of that squabble, but of a whole season of life — full of loud voices, endless negotiations, and a bond that was being built, even in the arguments.
These are the kinds of memories that fade fastest if we don’t take the time to preserve them. I'm grateful I did.
Why Documentary Photography Matters for Families
The beauty of documentary family photography is that it captures life exactly as it is — no scripts, no poses, no pressure to be anything other than yourself.
Kids change fast. Today's ordinary moments are tomorrow’s nostalgia.
Authentic memories matter. When your children grow up, they'll want to see themselves as they really were — not just in staged portraits, but in real, living memories.
Real life tells the deeper story. It's the messy, hilarious, tender chaos that makes your family yours.
As a mother and an award-winning photographer, I believe that real life is beautiful. There’s absolutely a place for posed portraits, but I chose to specialize in documentary-style photography because I truly find the unpolished to be the most meaningful.
Ready to Capture Your Family’s Story?
If you're ready to preserve your family's real story — the beautiful, the chaotic, the everyday — I would love to help you capture it.
Learn more about my Calgary family photography sessions or contact me to start planning your session.
Let’s create photographs that will mean even more as the years go by.
Want to see all 74 photographs from the 52nd Inspiration Awards Collection? Click here: https://inspirationphotographers.com/awards/family-awards-52-2025/
Learn more about documentary family photography for your family here.
