Creative storytelling documentary photography capturing real family life around Derbyshire and The Peak District.
No awkward posing. No forced smiles. Just your family being yourselves – the laughter, the chaos & the quiet moments that make your life yours.
If you’d like family photos that feel real, I’d love to hear about your family.
I’m Simon — a documentary photographer based in Derby. For over 15 years I’ve photographed weddings and families of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds in a natural, storytelling style, focusing on genuine moments rather than staged images. I’m a member of the Family Photojournalist Association, Lifestyle Wedding Photographers Association and have experience with neurodivergent children and Derbyshire LGBT+ accreditation.
But more importantly for the better part of two decades I’ve been a parent. I’ve lived through the wonder, the discovery, the meltdowns, the mess and the knowledge that all this fades away far too quickly.
Inspired by street photography, cinema and the classic work of documentarians like Sally Mann and Alain Laboile, and working on analog 35mm film – I bring an artistic documentary eye to highlight the magic of the everyday.
Real family life isn’t clinically sharp, evenly lit, or perfectly posed. It’s a little chaotic, a bit messy, and moves fast. I love shooting on 35mm film because it embraces that reality.
I love grain. I love motion blur. I love the deep, scuzzy shadows, the cinematic warmth and the unpredictability. The slow process and waiting for it to come back
Years from now, these photographs won’t just show you how things looked – they’ll remind you how it felt.
A digital session. One location, around an hour, an edited gallery delivered online within a couple of weeks. No film, no box – just honest, unhurried documentary photography of your family, delivered to your inbox.
Includes £50 print credit – because some of them will be worth printing.
One roll of 35mm film. Around an hour, one location, no agenda. I follow your family’s lead just capturing you doing you.
Includes a selection of 10 fine art prints delivered to your door, plus £75 print credit for extras.
Two rolls. Two to three hours. Enough time to take in different locations, different moments, the shape of an ordinary day. The park and the kitchen. The chaos and the quiet. This is the one where I get to properly know you.
Includes box of approx 20 fine art prints delivered to your door, plus £100 print credit for extras.
Your session can take place anywhere that feels like your family.
Common choices include:
Your home
Local parks
Woodland walks
Favourite weekend spots
Living in Derbyshire means we’re surrounded by incredible places. The Peak District is a playground – from quiet parks to wild countryside.
But the best location is always wherever your family feels most like themselves.
We’ll pick something your family enjoys doing together — a walk, baking, playing in the garden, flying a kite.
Then I’ll quietly document it.
Just real life.
Please get in touch using the form below and tell me about your family and requirements and we’ll get the ball rolling.
