Documentary Family Photography - is this for you?
You want authentic, real photos that actually say something about you and your family, instead of a stilized image that looks just like all those other instagram images with a filter that makes everything brown and beige.
Your children feel most at ease in their own surroundings. You prefer photos of them with their favourite plushie, on the sofa, than in a brand new outfit that is not allowed to get dirty, in a place they don’t know.
In 30 years time, you want your family to have images that show you are part of your family.
You’re looking for a photographer who will allow you to be yourself. And you don’t want extra fuss or work because you booked a photo session.
Documentary Photography increases in value as time passes. I use it to show who you are and what makes you you, exactly. That’s the most beautiful. That’s priceless. I like to see you for who you really are. I help you hold on to what makes you unique.
In times of fake content, filters, photoshop en AI, we constantly seem to have to ask ourselves: what is real? I do not want today’s children looking back on their photos later, having to ask themselves whether that was real or not.
In documentary family photography, we hold space for who you are. Make a mess. Draw. Get angry. Hug. Play in the mud. Marvel. Everything is okay.
Investment
Will you go for a short and sweet but powerful Slice of Life, or will you go all in with a complete Day In The Life session? Which reportage suits you?
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Slice of Life
Short, sweet, powerful and totally you. Ideal for those who would like to try an unposed at home photo session without the big commitment. This package including a luxury mini-album is by no means inferior to its bigger brothers.
– 2 hours of photography
– Choose 30 photos from your private online galler
– Possibility to upgrade your gallery
– Luxe 30 pages, 15x15 album
– Travel fees up till 10 km around Groningen
€495
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1/2 Day In The Life
Half a Day In The Life: I’ll come photograph your family for a morning, afternoon or evening. Ideal for daddy-day, Wednesday afternoon when the kids are off school, your lazy Sunday afternoon or your Tuesday night rush hour.[foto]
– 4 hours of photography
– Choose 60 photos from your private online gallery
– Possibility to upgrade your gallery
– Custom made slide show to download for your convenience
– Luxe 30 pages, 20x20 album
– Possibility to upgrade your album
– Travel fees up till 60 km around Groningen
€675
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Day In The Life
The all in package, Day In The Life: a complete reportage capturing all your every day memories and a big, luxurious album with your most cherished photographs.
– 8 hours of photography
– 100+ photos in an online private gallery
– Custom made slide show to download for your convenience
– Luxurious 30 pages 25x25 album
– Possibility to upgrade your album
– Travel fees in The Netherlands
€1250
FAQ
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On the day of your photoshoot, I’ll come to your home and the day will unfold just as it normally would. Everyday activities like playing in the sandpit, having lunch, walking the dog, hoovering, or playing a game your family enjoys together, will be the focus of the reportage. Anything goes! Most people get used to me quickly. Before I photograph your family, I’ll be in touch to discuss what matters most to you.
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Beforehand, we’ll talk about what’s important to you and your family at this moment in your life. You don’t need to prepare anything – easy, right? No need to go shopping for matching outfits or tidy up. Just carry on with your usual routines and activities.
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Yes! It’s your home, and that makes it 100% perfect. I visit all kinds of homes, each with its own charm. I have plenty of experience working with all kinds of lighting. A Day In The Life session is about you and your family. I expect to see your personality reflected in your home, in the little ones making a mess while you vacuum or clean, I expect you to play and to live your life.
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Your house and garden/balcony are the backdrop to your daily life, but maybe you also pop out to the playground, petting zoo, the bakery, or the green at the end of your street. Perhaps you're booking a session with me while camping or spending the day on Ameland. In short: you don’t have to go anywhere special – and you don’t have to stay home all day.
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Wear whatever you feel like that day. Your favourite cosy jumper or seasonal dress. I see football socks, Elsa dresses, raincoats – you name it. Dress-up-loving little ones and potty-training toddlers often go through several outfits a day. I don’t have any rules! Well, perhaps a slight preference for avoiding large lettering, as it can be a bit distracting. But if someone has a favourite shirt with bold text – absolutely wear it.
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Absolutely. You can book a documentary-style maternity session with me. A Day In The Life is perfect for this. Being pregnant and expecting a child is about so much more than lovingly gazing at and stroking your baby bump. It’s preparing the nursery, washing tiny clothes, it’s swollen ankles, cravings, balancing your sandwich on your belly… A Day In The Life session of this hopeful time – or perhaps a keepsake of the last weeks as just the two of you – makes a beautiful chapter in your life story.
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Newborns change so quickly! I’d love to visit and capture this special time in your life. I’ll document everything that makes life with a baby so unique – the tiny fingers, the wide-eyed wonder, your precious feeding moments. You’ll receive a storytelling photo series that you’ll look back on fondly for years. The Slice Of Life is a popular choice for families who just had the honour of welcoming a baby in their midst.
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Every family is welcome! All love is welcome. You may have little children, older ones, many or just one, or none at all. I’m a fan of pets too! A Day In The Life session also makes a wonderful gift for grandparents on their babysitting day. Documentary family photography is for every kind of family.
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Because of the nature of this type of session, Fardo attends these solo. We don’t want to get in each other’s way, and having two extra people in your home all day would probably be a bit much. If you'd like a DITL with just Erik, fill out the contact form and kindly ask him directly.
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Luckily, the weather doesn’t matter for a Day In The Life session. You don’t need to worry. I’m also happy to join you for some welly-wearing-puddle-jumping if that’s your thing.
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At the beginning or end of your Day In The Life session, I’m happy to take a family portrait where everyone looks at the camera. And when I see the opportunity, I also enjoy making a candid and relaxed “home portrait” during the session. However, I no longer offer full traditional posed sessions. I prefer to tell your real story through documentary-style family photography.
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A professional photo session is an investment. If you’d prefer to pay in instalments, that’s no problem. Just chat with me about the type of Day In The Life package you’re interested in, and we’ll work something out that suits your situation.
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To book a Day In The Life session, you can fill in the contact form or send me an email. I’ll then get in touch to plan your Day In The Life session.
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A documentary photoshoot of your family by Fardo Dopstra is the best family photography in Groningen. You’ll receive a unique photo story that captures everything special about your life and your family – a keepsake to treasure forever.