West Philly Documentary Photo Family Session

This adorably sweet trio has been welcoming me into their West Philadelphia home for documentary family photo sessions for a few years now, and I’ve loved getting to know them. The center of our session this time around was undoubtedly the simplicity of playing and connecting with their incredible kiddo — following his lead for records, reading, and snuggling when he wanted to. It’s been so fun getting to see how his personality and interests have evolved over time, and I’m sure my eyes lit up in a huge way when mom asked him, “What do you want to read? Your feminist trailblazer book?” Um, yes, pleaseeee!

Thank you to this wonderful family for trusting me with capturing the importance of these everyday at moments at home ….

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area documentary family photographer.  If you're interested in having your story brought to life, please get in touch!  

It's all in the details. --- Philadelphia Family Photography.

Our family histories are rich in details, and our children’s lives are ever-present in the physical evidence that exists ALL OVER our homes —— which is why if I come to your house, at some point you’ll likely find me taking photos of the things on the floor in your kids’ rooms, the artwork on your walls, and even the array of shoes that live in your entryway.

And although their messes drive us crazy at times, those piles and collections and scraps of paper are visual reminders of how important the art of childhood play really is. The wooden kitchen is where hundreds of cakes have been baked over the years. The completed Lego set resting proudly on the shelf is the first thing they ever bought with their own money. The scattered desk has served as a maker station for countless inventions, comic books, and sewing projects.

Their need and desire to play is in everything they write and draw and build with their hearts and hands. And while we can’t (and shouldn’t!) try to save it all, the magical mess of childhood is certainly worth preserving.

So before I tell my growing-too-quickly kids (ages 2, almost 5, and almost 8) to hurry up and clean up this week, I toured my house with camera in hand for some snaps of the things that make their personalities shine. No staging, just real life ….

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area documentary family photographer.  If you're interested in having your story brought to life, please get in touch!  


Allmond Family -- Documentary Photo Story at Home

What if I told you that we can make beautiful, meaningful photographs in the comfort of your home, no matter where you live? That you can drink your coffee during our time together and that your kids can even stay in their pajamas if you want them to? What if I told you that I’ll encourage you to leave the Lego creations and unfinished art projects out, that you don’t need to clean before I come? What if I told you that I don’t even need all of you to look at the camera at the same time?

After all, a journalistic approach to in-home photography is meant to capture a bit of your real — moving through a part of your day with the people you love, in the place that holds all of you together. When your kids are grownups they’ll love looking back through an album filled with photos that highlight the details of where they lived and who they lived there with.

Doing this in-home session with the Allmond family was nothing short of this type of ordinary, everyday magic. I loved having them in front of my camera, documenting a bit of their home life — breakfast, jam session, snuggling. Such a great morning with this adorably fun crew. Thank you, Allmonds for trusting me to spend time with you!





Alachkar Family - A Philadelphia Newborn Session

While it's fun to head out to beautiful places to take photos, I really do love capturing families at home, and my session with these four was no exception.  They're warm, fun and connected -- and pretty smitten with each other.  We started off with piano tunes and a baby bath and ended with some snuggling.  Saturday morning perfection! 

Thank you, Alachkar family, for letting me hang out with you for a bit ...

Waiting for Ollie - Philadelphia Maternity Photography

When Rachel and Seth asked me to photograph their adorable family a few months back, I was thrilled.  Their session was my first of the year after my own maternity leave, and it was so sweet hanging with them as they were transitioning into becoming a family of five.  I arrived as Tobin and Aliza were just waking up, and spent the morning-- brushing teeth, making (and eating!) breakfast, jumping on beds, and snuggling up.  And let me tell you, this family just knows how to love each other!  Ollie, you are one lucky little guy ...

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area family photographer.  If you're interested in having your family's story brought to life, please get in touch!  

Evening with Eamon -- Philadelphia Family Photographer

It was so incredibly difficult to choose favorites from this session --- The greenest grass, a super snuggly boy, and the sweetest parents.  What a wonderful night with these three.  Erin, David, and Eamon, thank you for trusting me to photograph you exploring one of your favorite places together! 

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area family photographer.  If you're interested in having your family's story brought to life, please get in touch!  

 

Nathaniel and Jacob - Philadelphia Family Photography

I met Susan and Rocco a year ago when they booked their first family session with me.  I had a ton of fun with their boys then, and I couldn't wait to see them again this spring! I just love this foursome's positive energy -- the way they play hard, love each other up, and just fall into each other's arms so naturally.  Nathaniel and Jacob are such lucky kids! This rainy morning session was full of movement and sweetness ....

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area family photographer specializing in documentary storytelling.  If you're interested in working togeher, please get in touch! 

Brand Family - Haddonfield, NJ

I've known this beautiful family for as long as I can remember.  Erica & Jordan are old friends who I don't get to see nearly as often as I would like to, and I couldn't wait to spend some time with them once we got this session on the calendar.  They were huge supporters of my venture into family photography early on, trusting me to capture their oldest boys when they were just tiny twin babes and encouraging me to turn my love for photographing children into a business.   I was so thrilled to head to their new home to tell a piece of their story again, years later, where these super cool brothers showed off their sweet, silly, and snuggly sides ...

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area family photographer.  If you're interested in having your story brought to life, please get in touch! 

Philadelphia Waterfront Session - Family Photography

There's a crisp chill in the air today, but just a few weeks ago, I was soaking up the sun and enjoying the last of the summer warmth along the gorgeous Philadelphia waterfront with this family.  I've been photographing them since before big brother was even born, and it has been so incredible watching them grow and learn together as a family.  And there is something about the water that just brings out all of the silly, sweet, beautiful pieces of our children ...

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area family photographer.  If you're interested in having your family's story brought to life, please get in touch!  

 

Sunday Love -- Philadelphia Family Photographer

"Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us, we find poems." ~ Naomi Shihab Nye

I photographed a bit of my own family's Sunday exploring in the woods.  These are the people who make my world sing ...

Tammy Bradshaw is a Philadelphia area lifestyle and documentary photographer.  If you're interested in having your family's story brought to life, please get in touch!