Pittsburgh Family Photographer | Personal Hour by Hour Challenge | January

When I first started documentary family photography back in 2014, I relied heavily on my own family to figure out how to make impactful storytelling images (and how to keep it up for whole events- even whole days). I practiced on my family by doing a DITL (Day in the Life) project frequently- back then I subjected us probably monthly. The idea of that project is simple: document your life, from morning to night. And let me tell you, it is HARD work! Hard, as in physically tiring and hard, as in mentally exhausting.

My Day: Freelensed

There are a few types of photography that I turn to when I need to find my center and step away from the kids (you know the kinds of moments I mean, right?). In these situations, I like to shoot in a way that requires quiet and concentration and less shutter clicks. Some of my favorite ways to slow down behind the camera are:

June 10 on 10 project

.... the light was just so irresistible and I felt inspired. And the day didn't let me down- from morning till the sun's last rays it was beautiful. The breeze made the light shimmer through the leaves and left patterns on the walls and floors. I've been a bit uninspired lately, but it's days like these that make me happy I have photography to capture this kind of beauty. Here is June 9th, 2016 (10 images + one video)

10 on 10, personalAndrea MoffattJune 10, 2016summer light, summer, documentary, home video, family film, day in the life

Documenting a Season by Documenting a Day

One of the best ways I know to remember certain phases, ages, and stages is by periodically doing full day Story of a Day session with my own family. There's nothing like revisiting a day in my life from morning till night to immediately trigger memories - of tantrums, milestones, emerging independence, favorite toys, and beloved rituals. These are the things that are envelope us when we are living it, but then quickly fade into one big generalization of life at that time.

Greensburg PA Family Photographer | 10 on 10 Project

Here are 10 images for the 10th of February. I couldn't have asked for a more ordinary February day in the life of a toddler and preschooler- a trip to the doctor's for an ear infection through the white, sparse canvas that is winter in Pennsylvania, lunch, stories before nap time, Valentine card crafting, indoor play, and stories before bed. It's ordinary (and cold!), but it's our life right now and I've pledged to look for the beauty in all of it.

Pittsburgh Family Photographer Blog