The Story of a Bedtime Routine | Taipei Documentary Family Photography

Sometimes I think documentary family photography gives us permission to delight in our own lives in a way we didn’t consider before. When planning a family photoshoot, would it normally occur to you to make it all about brushing teeth and reading bedtime stories? Probably not; you’d probably be more focused on coordinating outfits and finding the perfect location. But ask yourself this: What will I want to look back on 20 years from now, when the kids are out of the house and living their own lives? Will I want photos of our coordinating outfits or the weird face my son made when we had to brush his teeth for him before bed?

I think your heart knows the answer, and I’m giving you permission—right here and now—to let your heart lead, even if it takes you down a less familiar path and your mother-in-law is all like WTF, why are you taking photos of this? Where’s my Christmas card with the family portrait with matching outfits??

I can only make good art out of what I love and value, and moments like the ones below from an everyday bedtime routine are what I love and value. This is the good stuff.

This particular bedtime family photography session was the final chapter in a year of family documentation. Check out my Year in the Life projects if you’d like me to document your family for an entire year. =)