I get this question all the time: “If we’re just hanging out, won’t that be boring?” A lot of families worry they need to plan an activity or go somewhere special for their documentary family photo session. They ask, What are we supposed to do?

Here’s the honest answer: you don’t need to do anything out of the ordinary.

The easiest way to think about documentary photography is like a documentary you’d watch on Netflix. It’s real life, as it actually happens. It’s not a Hollywood blockbuster with perfect lighting and scripted moments—it’s honest, meaningful, and often far more interesting because it’s true. Documentary photos are a photojournalistic approach to photos. I won’t ask you to pose, look at the camera, repeat something you just did or even turn on lights to alter the environment.

Many families that are considering a documentary family session often have the same worries or objections. I’m here to walk you through the five most common myths I encounter, and why these are five worries that shouldn’t keep you from booking a session.