COLORADO FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY • THE MCGLAUGHLIN FAMILY

An afternoon at home in Lyons , Colorado , USA

What was the best part about the act of the documentary photography experience?

I didn't realize it at the time - in our very busy, hyper-connected culture, participating in a documentary family session for 6+ hours forces we actually look for ways to interact with each other. And realize how wonderful that is. the session in itself is the gift – giving  families focused time to enjoy each other's company, have fun, and connect as a family. 

You specifically, are very easy to be around, surprisingly ninja-like (which I didn't realize until after you sent the images and I was blown away by all the different angles and perspectives you captured; but it never felt like you were doing acrobatics around us!), and just made the whole thing very comfortable. 

What is the best thing about the photos?

To be able to see us through your eyes. I've taken hundreds of thousands of pictures of Emerson in and around our house, but to have someone with fresh eyes show us our world, was inspiring. Also, and probably more importantly, was that I'm in the photos. self-portraits is really obnoxiously annoying, and it's always a little bit staged no matter what. So to get real, honest images of me interacting with my family is priceless. And ,you saw little things about Emerson that I forget change so quickly, and are more often annoyances to me than precious moments reflecting this moment in childhood. So the photos made me step back and really appreciate who Emerson is right at this moment, and to continue to do that, enjoying the present because it's going to change quicker than I realize. 

How do the photographs differ from previous family sessions you have had?

I think your work has more a gallery aesthetic to it than most other photographers. Maybe it's the way you process your black-and-white images with that very tactile quality to them.There is a fine art quality to your work that I think sets it apart. It's documentary, it's real, it's raw, but it has a beautiful artful aspect to it. 

Have you printed your images?

I did make a photo-book out of the artisan edit, we *LOVE* watching the slideshow, I've used the photos on my social media, and we used them for our Christmas cards last year. I like the book best because I really feel like these sessions are a story of our life, also what you made is totally framable and will look amazing! 

What were you hoping to feel when you saw your photos ?

Mostly I wanted them to be as beautiful as the ones you share that you've taken of your family. You live in a beautiful place, with beautiful kids, so I was a little unsure if you could re-create your magic on my family, but you did in a way that is unique and beautiful to us. 

Any Advice for other families thinking of investing in a documentary sessions. "stop worrying about how clean you house is and the money (because honestly once I sent it, I forget how much it was, so it becomes less of an issue) and do it!”

Without hesitation I would recommend you to others. For the quality of your work, and your aesthetic, the ease of your approach and personality, the gift of being able to see how beautiful your family really is through someone else's eye for a moment.

I would love to know if there are any pictures that you really connected with…

They are all my favourites, but the one where Emerson's hand is touching the wall next to an older portrait of Sean and I melted my heart, as did the one of Emerson running toward the front door. I love the shot of Emerson playing guitar that captures the intensity of his playing, and the one of us all crossing the street is an awesome homage to the Abbey Road album (which, living in such a musically-inclined town as we do, is so apropos!). That you managed to catch the sun flare behind Emerson's hands catching the bubble is magical, and the one of just Sean and I is such a beautiful intimate moment. I love all the different ways you managed to show all of us in the frame, and love how you captured Emerson's relationship with our dog--that one of Emerson and Loti on the couch is priceless! I could go on effusing over every image,