“As a dad, I’ll admit I was kind of dreading the typical family photo shoot, but this experience with Rob was completely different and genuinely enjoyable… Highly recommend Rob, especially for parents with little extra time in their lives to schedule something else.”
— Nathan
DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER | BELLINGHAM, WA
Documenting measured days and shared, sacred lives.
Why documentary?
Because photos made of the everyday hold memory.
My spouse tells a touching personal story about the power of documentary-style photography. How, after recovering from severe postpartum depression and autistic burnout, recalling much of anything from our kiddo’s earliest years is difficult; rather, what she remembers is the melancholic fog that rolled in soon after delivery. Were it not for photos of her “everyday” spent with our little one – she’s been known to say – she’d hold no memory of the good times had during what otherwise felt like two dark years. When my partner tells this story, I’m reminded that photos made of our lived experiences hold memory, making them accessible even when the mind finds it difficult to do so.
Because real returns you to what it felt like when.
You’ll wake one day to find that your kiddo no longer wants to hold your hand. You’ll not be ready for it. And even if you are, the fact remains: that season in your life together has passed. Forever. And you’re heartbroken. To make things worse, the family portraits hung on the walls of your home reveal nothing of what it felt like to hold your kiddo’s hand in yours. Nothing of what it felt like to share such a sacred moment. Because real returns you to what it felt like when, a photograph of your lived experience can.
Because you’re crushing it.
I see you. Your heartwork. How you show up. Make yourself available. Care for your loved ones. Even when it’s exhausting. Especially when it’s exhausting. The messy truth about family life is that it’s not always the bee’s knees. Yet, here you are. Showing up. Managing mayhem. And modeling love. Documentary sessions bear witness to your heartwork, while the images made during them serve as a reminder: even when you don’t feel like an A+ parent, you’re still crushing it!
Because the only thing you need to concern yourself with is authenticity: you be you. Let me do the rest!
Documentary sessions are low-key, story-led alternatives to more traditional portrait and lifestyle sessions. It’s you, me, and a camera. Just hanging out. In your element. With loved ones. Photographing how your everyday organically unfolds. There’s
no cramming family photos into an already busy schedule
no long, drawn-out consultations
no coordinating outfits
no posing or wondering what to do with your hands
no performance
no house cleaning needed
no need for anyone to be on their “best behavior”*
no judgement
no flash firing off in your eyes
*All moods, emotions, and behaviors are welcome during a session, including meltdowns, shutdowns, avoidance, or refusal to participate.
Sessions
Vignette
3 hours of my time dedicated to preserving family memories
Curated gallery of fully edited high-res digital photos made available for download through a private online gallery
Print release
Session Fee: 1250
Short Story
5 hours of my time dedicated to telling a broader family story
Curated gallery of fully edited high-res digital photos made available for download through a private online gallery
Print release
$100 print credit for á la carte purchases.
Session Fee: 2200
Family Memoir
12 hours of my time dedicated to telling a day-in-the-life story
Curated gallery of fully edited high-res digital photos made available for download through a private online gallery
Print release
$200 print credit for á la carte purchases.
Session Fee: 3500
Hi, I’m Rob!
Documentary photographer. Autistic ADHD’r. Twenty-six year partner to a beautiful soul. Parent to a neurodivergent kiddo almost as tall as me. Dog dad of two. I live for my partner’s laughter and my kiddo’s hugs; have a deep reverence for the ephemeral; desperately miss living in Hong Kong; and could easily make a habit of eating more Korean rice cake than is healthy for me.
I’ve worked with young children for 25 years, starting in St. Lous at a children’s shelter; then, as an early childhood educator in the PNW. I’d later become an ESL teacher. I’d teach abroad. First in South Korea. Then in Hong Kong. Until very recently, I homeschooled my AuDHD kiddo.
Nowadays, I offer an alternative to traditional portrait and lifestyle sessions for busy PNW families. Using an approach akin to photojournalism, I create authentic, story-led family photos that reflect your lived experience without you having to worry about “well-behaved” kiddos, depleting your already taxed battery, performing for a camera, or sensory overwhelm.
Questions?
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I’ve been told that I’m a quiet, calm presence who smiles more than I talk. And it’s true. I’m an autistic ADHDer with expressive language challenges that sometimes show up as long pauses while talking. And when it comes to speaking while photographing, let’s just say I’m a classic “can’t walk and chew gum at the same time” kinda guy. But I feel that this particular characteristic is an advantage as it reduces my influence in an environment; thereby placing you and yours right where y’all need to be during a session: at the center of your story.
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Bring it! I’ve been a stay-at-home dad for ten years and a homeschool teacher. Before that I worked with kiddos in a number of settings - in classrooms, childcare settings, and shelters. Do my joints creek? Sure they do. But I’m all in for photographing whatever chaos comes my way!
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I prioritize my client’s personal feelings of emotional safety and their right to set boundaries over photographic opportunity. Your body is yours to advocate and set boundaries for. You say what gets photographed and what doesn’t. I honor it. Breastfeeding, potty training, etc. Some parents feel those seasons in life are so central to parenthood that the thought of not documenting them detracts from their story. Others would rather not have those moments preserved. Both positions are equally valid. The most important part of my job is to listen to you and only photograph what you want incorporated into your story. Prior to, and on the day of your session, I’ll regularly check in with you to determine what your boundaries and comfort levels are.
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I value the right to privacy and will honor yours. But if you allow me to, then yes! Doing so helps me advertise myself as a service provider: the more people see my work, the more opportunity I have to provide photographic services to other members of the community. So, at the risk of repeating myself: if you allow me to post your family photos online, that would be helpful! If not, respect.