Frequently asked questions
What is family documentary photography, and how does it differ from traditional family photography?
Family documentary photography is essentially a branch of documentary photography and photojournalism. This means that everything the photographer captures is an honest representation of reality. The photographer does not direct anything or alter the situation in any way to make the image more beautiful or ‘more perfect’.
This principle is applied in family photography by focusing on everyday family life. Rather than posed portraits, the aim is to capture what you’re really like as a family, with all the little and big moments that naturally go with it.
Do I need to tidy my house before the shoot?
That’s entirely up to you! If you feel more comfortable with the house tidied up, then go ahead. If not, just leave everything as it is. It makes no difference to me. It’s worth bearing in mind, as mentioned in the question above, that I take documentary style photos of your family. This means I don’t alter the situation – or the surroundings – to make the picture perfect. So your home will also be in the photos, just as it is at that moment. I won’t move anything out of the way if it’s in the way of a photo.
Should we pose?
No, that’s exactly not the point of this style of photography! You don’t need to look at the camera during the shoot either. You just go about your daily lives and I’ll follow you, capturing whatever happens naturally. Pretend the camera isn’t there, that’s when the photos turn out most natural.
How can I book a photoshoot?
Je kunt eenvoudig contact opnemen via het contact form op de website om je sessie te plannen, of een e-mail sturen naar info@cindyverversfotografie.nl.
We don’t live near Maastricht, is that a problem?
No, I don’t mind driving a short distance to visit clients. Just let me know when you make your enquiry, and I’ll see if it’s feasible to come to you, depending on the distance and my schedule.
Travel costs will be added to the cost of the photo shoot. I charge a mileage allowance of €0.35 per kilometre for distances of 10 km or more from Maastricht, and for travel times exceeding 1 hour (one way), I charge a surcharge of €10 per hour, calculated pro rata based on the duration of the journey. I round this up to the nearest quarter of an hour.
Can I receive the unedited photos after the shoot?
No, unfortunately that’s not possible. My camera saves the photos in a file format equivalent to an undeveloped photo. I therefore need to use software to convert them into JPEG files.
Can I have the photos edited in a particular style?
No, unfortunately that isn’t possible. The way I develop and edit my photo files is part of my personal style as a photographer. Just like a painting, this is a form of art. If you book a photo shoot with me, it’s probably because you like the photos I take. That’s why I don’t edit photos in a different style, with a different filter or a different colour scheme.
Day-in-the-life shoots
What is Day-in-the-life photography?
A ‘day-in-the-life’ shoot is all about capturing your family exactly as you are; no posing, no staging. No forced smiles, just pure, genuine moments. I’ll follow you during (part of) a normal day and photograph whatever happens spontaneously: from breakfast at the table to playing in the living room, a walk outside or the bedtime routine.
The beauty of this way of photographing is that everything can be just as it is. Mess, chaos, cuddles, fits of laughter or, conversely, a quiet moment on the sofa. It’s all part of it. It is precisely those small, everyday moments that later become the most precious memories.
With a day-in-the-life shoot, we’ll work together to create an honest and timeless portrait of your family life. Images that show who you really are, how you interact with one another, and what life feels like right now. Not perfect pictures, but genuine memories you can look back on time and time again.
Should we make preparations or make plans?
No, there’s no need! Your usual routine is just right.
As for what to wear, there’s no need to dress up in anything special. Just wear something you feel comfortable and good in. Your outfits don’t need to match perfectly, and there’s certainly no need for everyone to wear the same thing. That’s not how it is on normal days either, and that’s exactly what makes the photos look more natural.
If you like the look, you might want to make sure that the colours and patterns don’t clash (too much). Large logos can also be a bit distracting in the photos.
What if the children don’t cooperate?
That can happen; after all, they’re children. Chaos and emotions are part of life too, and it’s precisely those moments I love to capture.
It’s actually very rare for children to really not want to be photographed. At the start of the shoot, I take a moment to introduce myself and let the children get used to me at their own pace. Conversely, I also enjoy getting to know your family better. This gives me valuable insights that I can use during the photoshoot: who you are and what matters to you.
Newborn photography
What does a newborn photo shoot involve?
During a newborn photo shoot, I’ll come to your home and take the time to simply be there with you. We’ll start without any pressure: you don’t need to prepare anything or be ‘ready’. You just follow your own rhythm and I’ll go with the flow.
The shoot focuses on genuine moments. Think of holding your baby, a feed, a quiet moment together in bed or on the sofa, or little details such as tiny hands, yawns and expressions. Any brothers or sisters will also be included in a natural way, without them having to do anything in particular.
Because there’s no set time frame, it creates a sense of space and relaxation. If your baby is a bit restless or just wants to sleep, that’s perfectly fine. It’s precisely this authenticity that makes the images so precious and timeless. A reminder of how this early period really felt.
Can parents or siblings be in the photos too?
Yes, please! I’ll come round to your home and take photos of the moments as they happen. Everyone who’s at home will be in the photos, unless, of course, we’ve agreed otherwise before the shoot.
When is the best time to plan a newborn photoshoot?
I offer two packages for newborn photo shoots: the Fresh 48 and the Newborn shoot. The Fresh 48 shoot takes place within the first 48 hours. The Newborn shoot is scheduled between 2 and 6 weeks after the birth.
You can book the shoot whilst you’re still pregnant; this is particularly advisable for the Fresh 48 shoot. That way, I can take your due date into account. Of course, births are difficult to plan, so I try to be as flexible as possible. Should your baby be born earlier or later than expected, I’ll still try to make time to come round for a photoshoot.
Has your baby been born already, and are you interested in a last-minute photo shoot?
Just get in touch! We can then see together if it fits into the schedule.
You can get in touch via the contact form on the website, or by emailing info@cindyverversfotografie.nl.
What if my baby is fussy or crying during the photoshoot?
This isn’t a problem at all, it’s just part of having a baby! Every baby is different, and that’s exactly what makes a photo shoot so special. Some sleep a lot, others are wide awake, and yet others just want to be close and cuddled. Those are precisely the moments you’ll want to remember later, and that’s what I capture.
Do you need a bit of extra time in between to feed your baby, comfort them or just let them settle down? Please do take that time. That’s also why I don’t set a fixed duration for a newborn shoot. I don’t photograph continuously, but wait for the moments that arise naturally.
I want you to feel relaxed before and during the shoot, without any pressure. If you feel at ease, your baby will benefit from it too. And that, in turn, will make the photos even better.
Can’t find your question here? Please feel free to contact me!