A Documentary Family Photography Session at the Taipei Zoo

My Year in the Life families have lots of time to get creative with their sessions. Once they do a session or two at home, many start thinking about the memories they want to capture beyond the home routine. With several families that I work with, this has led us to the Taipei Zoo.

I remember the days of bringing little kids to the Taipei Zoo well—let’s be honest, it’s not all cute animals and wonderment. It’s also heat, tears, begging to be carried, and at times, bathroom emergencies. Call me crazy, but I think we’ll want to remember the hard stuff along with the beautiful stuff. The farther away I get from a memory, the greedier I am for every detail. I’m sure I was tired of hearing my baby’s cries in the moment when I was sleep-deprived, but now I’d give anything to be able to recall the exact pitch and tenor of it. That baby is now a 14-year-old and I won’t get to hear that cry again.

I photograph a lot of beautiful, unforgettable moments, but I don’t shy away from the tears and the hard work of parenting. The stories worth remembering and passing on are the ones that are whole, with all the juicy bits included.