Documentary Family Photography
Newcastle and Hunter Valley family photography that captures life as it really is — unposed, genuine, and full of heart.
A Documentary Family Photography Experience Like No Other
I called these sessions "No Ordinary Life" because that's how I've come to see my own family life. My ordinary days are anything but, instead shaping who I am, and who my kids are turning into.
I shoot documentary-style: no posing, no "everyone say cheese," just life as it happens. The playful chaos, the tender snuggles, the moments too good to stage even if you tried — captured exactly as they unfold, so years from now you can step right back into them.
Designed with the mum who notices everything in mind — the sticky fingers, sun-kissed cheeks, the little routines that shape your days. The stuff you already know you'll miss, when too much time has passed. I’ll capture it all with honesty, warmth, and an eye for what matters most.
Work With Me →
View Packages
2 Hour Session — Everyday Magic
My 2hr session is perfect for capturing life as it naturally unfolds at home. Think baking together in the kitchen, bath time splashes, Lego towers on the floor, or story time snuggles on the couch. These are the moments that feel ordinary now, but one day will be the ones you treasure most.
These sessions are intimate, relaxed, and designed to capture the ordinary magic of your everyday family life at home, preserving the laughter, love, and small rituals that make your family unmistakably yours.
INCLUDES
~ 2hr Photography Session
~ Creative Questionnaire
~ Mood Board
~ 60 x High-Res Jpegs
~ Private Online Gallery
~ Downloadable Digital Files
Price $1,350 AUD
4 Hour Session — Morning or Afternoon.
My 4hr sessions are ideal for families who want to capture the full rhythm of a morning or afternoon. Picture balance bike adventures to the beach, your favourite coffee spot, or running through sprinklers and snacks on the back deck before taking the dogs for a walk. Every small moment — from the quiet pauses to the bursts of laughter — adds depth and character to your family story.
These sessions allow time for the laughter, play, and connection that make a day with your family so rich and memorable.
INCLUDES
~ 4hr Photography Session
~ Creative Questionnaire
~ Mood Board
~ Full Gallery downloads as High-Res Jpegs
~ 150+ artfully edited images
~ Downloadable Digital Files
~ Private Online Gallery
Price $1,875 AUD
8 Hour+ Sessions — Full Day Adventures.
My 8hr+ documentary session are perfect for families who want to fully immerse in their story. These sessions capture entire days of adventure — from bush walks and picnics to beach days filled with chips, salty hair, and laughter. They’re also perfect for multi-day camping trips or cozy escapes to charming beach towns and cozy Airbnb’s.
The longer I’m with you, the richer your gallery becomes, telling a deeper, more meaningful story — a lasting record of your family’s love, connection, and everyday magic.
INCLUDES
~ 8hr (min) Photography Session
~ Creative Questionnaire
~ Mood Board
~ Full Gallery downloads as High-Res Jpegs
~ Full Gallery downloads as Low-Res Jpegs
~ 400+ artfully edited images
~ Downloadable Digital Files
~ Private Online Gallery
~ Fine Art Album
Starts from $3,500 AUD
“I honestly don’t know how to properly express how much Daina absolutely nailed our family photoshoot. I am beyond happy with the results. The images feel so true to us as a family, honest, relaxed, and full of life.”
— Rachael Woollams
Who I Love Working With
I love working with adventure-loving, sentimental families who see the beauty in fleeting moments — quiet gestures, soft laughter, small rituals that make your family unmistakably yours.
Based in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, these sessions are for families who want storytelling photography, not stiff posed portraits (no "everyone look this way," promise). You're the parents who get down on the floor, embrace the chaos, and know the ordinary moments are the ones you'll miss most.
There's a quiet magic in your family's everyday rituals — love unfolding naturally, memories woven into daily life without you even noticing. My job is to document that connection exactly as it is, from cozy mornings at home to multi-day adventures
Book Your Session →
The Process
-
![]()
01 ~ Enquire
There are three ways to begin. Book a relaxed, no-pressure 15-minute discovery call to talk through your ideas, ask questions, and explore whether we're the right fit. Prefer to write? Head to the enquire page and send through an enquiry form. Ready to go? Book your session directly through the online booking system — simply select your date, choose a time slot, enter your details, and pay your session deposit. From first click to fully booked, the whole process takes just 15 minutes.
-
![]()
02 ~ Your Vision
Within 24 hours of booking confirmation, your Creative Session Questionnaire will arrive in your inbox — and this is where everything begins. This is your opportunity to share your vision, your hopes, your ideas, and any questions or concerns you may have. The more openly you share, the more intentionally your session can be designed to feel entirely, authentically you. Don't hold back — this is where your experience starts taking shape.
-
![]()
03 ~ Curating
With your questionnaire received, the creative work begins. Within a week, your personalised Mood Board will arrive — a thoughtfully crafted guide setting the tone, mapping out the plan, and building genuine anticipation for what's ahead. This is where your vision moves from idea to intention. You'll have the opportunity to review everything, suggest any refinements, and confidently confirm all the details before your session day.
-
![]()
04 ~ Shoot Day
By the time your session arrives, every detail will be organised and every question answered. You'll feel calm, grounded, and quietly excited — ready for the cuddles, the laughter, and those beautifully in-between moments. I'll arrive a few minutes early for a relaxed hello before I even reach for my camera. And then we ease in. The nerves settle. The magic begins.
-
![]()
06 ~ The Reveal
Three weeks after your session, your gallery will be ready. You'll get a reminder email the day before, so when it lands, you can make a night of it — gather the family, get comfortable, and experience your images on the big screen for the very first time. Watch your gallery highlights slideshow together and relive every laugh, every hug, every quiet, beautiful moment, before losing yourselves in the full gallery together.
-
![]()
07 ~ Treat Yourself
If your package includes prints, framed wall pieces, or fine art albums, these are sent to production when your gallery is delivered and can take 3–8 weeks to be returned. If you'd like to add one of these products after seeing your gallery, you can still order a beautiful heirloom keepsake — simply enquire to see the full range and how to order.
-
![]()
08 ~ Enjoy!
Your gallery is delivered, your prints are on their way, and your images are yours to keep and treasure. This is the part where you get to simply enjoy everything — flipping through your album, watching your slideshow again, or catching a favourite image on the wall as you pass by each day. The experience is complete, but the memories are permanent. Thank you for trusting me with something so personal. It has been an absolute privilege.
Turn Your Memories Into
Prints, Framed Photos, and Fine Art Albums
Seeing your photos for the first time is a magical feeling — you're instantly transported back to that day, feeling all the joy of your family laughing and playing together.
But seeing those photos become tangible — prints, framed pieces, fine art albums, all lovingly handcrafted right here in Newcastle by one of the country's most respected print labs — is something else entirely. Created to be held, displayed, and passed down for generations, these are the pieces that turn a house into a home. A hard drive can't do that. Print them. Place them where you'll see them every day, and let your family's story live in the rooms you actually live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
*
Frequently Asked Questions
*
Frequently Asked Questions * Frequently Asked Questions *
-
Sessions take place predominantly in your home or other meaningful everyday locations depending on the session length you choose. As a family photographer serving Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter Valley, I love capturing families in the spaces where their lives naturally unfold - such as the beach, the park, favourite coffee shop, backyard hangs etc.
-
Your session is designed to feel relaxed, guided by Childs-play, and 100% inspired by your normal routines and favourite activities you like to do as a family.
We might capture morning cuddles, breakfast together, playtime, beach strolls, park hangs, baking, bath time, or backyard adventures — whatever a typical morning or afternoon in your family life looks like.
-
Not at all. These sessions are designed to feel natural and pressure-free. There’s no need for perfect outfits or a overly tidy home. The beauty of documentary family photography is capturing your life exactly as it is. However, you will receive an information guide upon booking that will provide you with tips and useful information on how to best prepare.
-
Absolutely! The more time we spend together, the richer the story of your day becomes, and the more depth your gallery will hold. I offer 2-hour, 4-hour, and 8-hour sessions, perfect for full-day adventures like beach trips, bush walks, or picnics.
For the truly adventurous, you can even book me for multiple days to capture camping trips, weekend getaways, or cozy escapes to charming beach towns. This is your family story — and you get to tell it exactly how you choose.
-
By default, galleries take 3 weeks from your shoot date to be delivered. The day before you’re expected to receive your gallery, I’ll email you letting you know that your gallery is on its way and that it’s time to grab the popcorn and gather the troops. Why? Seeing your slideshow and photos for the first time should be witnessed on a big screen. There’s nothing more anti-climactic than seeing your photos for the first time on your tiny phone screen whilst waiting in line at Woolies checkout.
-
Yes! I photograph families throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley, and surrounding areas. I’m also happy to travel nationally or internationally to capture those special, candid family moments. Simply enquire, and we can make it happen.
-
Absolutely! I love documenting every stage of family life, and I’ve created a dedicated service called “The Wonder of You” specifically for maternity, newborn, and motherhood sessions. To learn more about this service enquire here
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“Could not recommend Daina more! She’s so thoughtful and attentive with all of the pre-shoot stuff. And her eye and abilities are something else. Will cherish the photos she gave us forever”.
- BIRRAHLEE CUTMORE