Welcome to the Family! | FUJIFILM Exposure Center – USA

6 minute read

Welcome to the Family!

Family documentary photographer Marisa Kraft uses FUJIFILM X-S20 to preserve those special everyday moments

“I love the honesty of it, the rawness, the truth,” insists Marisa Kraft, when asked what drew her to such a candid style of family documentary photography.

“When I flip back through pictures of my kids in their younger years, the ones that stick out are the ones that bring me right back to the moment.

“It’s nice to have posed group photos of what everybody looks like at that certain time, but for me it’s more about the little details that tug at my heartstrings,” she explains.

Three children stand watching an otter playing in the water at a zoo enclosure where a glass wall allows them to see above and below the surface.

Photo 2023 © Marisa Kraft | FUJIFILM X-S20 and FUJINON XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR, 1/2000 sec at F2.8, ISO 100

As a photographer with a focus on family, it’s only fitting that Marisa has been using the newest camera in the Fujifilm family to document her everyday life.

In recent weeks, FUJIFILM X-S20 has helped her memorialize anything from zoo trips and bowling to roller-skating in the park and playtime at home. While the resulting images are good enough to be part of an art-directed lifestyle series, Marisa tells us that her approach to an image is anything but curated.

“Most of the time, I don’t have any plan,” she reveals. “The way it usually goes, I’ll see some kind of weird chaos going on – something that piques my interest enough to make me want to create a photo that represents it – then I’ll grab my camera. And that’s it!” she smiles.

As an example, she highlights the bowling trip that formed part of this specific project.

“All kids go bowling. All kids get the hang of taking a bowling ball and rolling it down the lane trying to knock down pins,” explains Marisa. “To me, that is the boring part of the story. I don’t even know if I have any standard pictures of bowling,” she adds with a laugh.

“I like to see what’s happening in the little moments in-between. Those weird things and sub-stories that make my kids unique and bring a smile to my face.”

Success at this style of photography relies in large part on the ability to be in the right place at the right time, and react quickly enough to frame that moment. That’s why Marisa has always favored the lightweight FUJIFILM X Series.

“I had a friend that recommended Fujifilm to me, saying she thought it would be great for taking trips when I want to travel light. So I rented some Fujifilm gear for the day, and it blew me away how compact both the camera and lens lineups are,” Marisa enthuses.

“This is what I bring out with me,” she says, holding up a simple messenger tote. “I don’t carry some big backpack or photographer bag or anything, but I can still have whatever I need with me at all times because the Fujifilm system is that portable.”

This is one of the biggest advantages of X-S20 for Marisa. Its compact dimensions and lightweight design lend itself perfectly to her on-the-go photographic style.

“When I started, the hardest part was always having a camera with me,” she recalls. “Getting into that routine of carrying it on me, in my purse, or leaving it out on the kitchen table – just having it around.

“The size of this camera is special, it’s so lightweight,” she reveals.

Boy in mid air bouncing on a trampoline while in the foetal position

Photo 2023 © Marisa Kraft | FUJIFILM X-S20 and FUJINON XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/250 sec at F2.8, ISO 500

In addition to avoiding shoulder ache after a day out making memories, X-S20’s lightweight form combines perfectly with its comfortable grip to ensure she has the agility needed to frame fleeting moments before they disappear.

“The way X-S20 fits in the hand is very well thought-out. It’s got a great grip that feels stable,” says Marisa.

“I create with a variety of lenses,” she continues. “Some are small and compact like FUJINON XF18mmF2 R, some are a little bit longer like XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS and XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR.

“X-S20 balances any of the lenses you’d possibly put on there. You’ve got a strong grab, so you can hold it with one hand and not feel like it’s going to tip any which way.”

In the same vein, Marisa highlights how X-S20’s professional-level performance, powered by X-Processor 5, aided her art. She specifically mentions the advanced subject detection and tracking autofocus that helped ensure her subject was always crisp.

“Autofocus was great, and that’s important for people doing this kind of photography,” says Marisa. “For people making images of dogs, kids, sporting events – anything that’s moving quickly.

“Also, if you’re just getting started in photography, there is a lot to think about. So something that can help you land focus? It’s everything.”

Young girl in kitchen chases dog with a jar of peanut butter in its mouth.

Photo 2023 © Marisa Kraft | FUJIFILM X-S20 and FUJINON XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR, 1/250 sec at F2.8, ISO 1600

At the same time, X-S20’s 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor ensured each high-resolution image conveyed the true beauty of the moment.

“I get compliments all the time on the colors in my pictures, but I can only take so much credit for it because it’s down to Fujifilm’s amazing color science,” she reveals.

“We’ve all got the camera on our phones. It’s there and serves its purpose – I do appreciate that – but while the images look great on that beautiful, bright smartphone screen, when you bring them over to a computer and blow them up, you can see where it all falls apart.

“With X-S20, you get sharp, beautiful images that last a lifetime. It allows you to get your photos into photo books and onto walls, bringing them outside the realm of Facebook and Instagram so they truly live on – I preach this all the time!’ she beams.

Another feature Marisa found useful was X-S20’s Interval Timer. This allowed her to set the camera to make a sequence of images at a chosen interval – a great alternative to the Self-Timer or a handheld selfie using the flip-out touchscreen LCD.

“You can just prop it up on a garbage can, on a park bench – wherever,” explains Marisa. “I simply place it down and set the focus to wherever my family is standing. Then I’m able to set the Interval Timer to make a picture every second, every three seconds, or whatever I want.

“I can also set it to 20 shots, 40 shots, right up to infinity. I run into the frame, do a couple of cute family pictures, then run back and turn it off.

“The beauty of it is that there’s a whole variety of pictures to choose from, rather than one posed image. The goofy ones are usually our favorites.”

Girl takin jar from fridge in dark room. Only illumination is coming from the refrigerator's interior light

Photo 2023 © Marisa Kraft | FUJIFILM X-S20 and FUJINON XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR, 1/250 sec at F2.8, ISO 1600

Overall, Marisa thinks X-S20 is perfect for families who want to treasure those precious memories of their kids as they grow – not least because its beginner-friendly modes mean you don’t have to be a professional to create professional-quality images.

“It’s great because anybody can work with X-S20,” says Marisa. “Someone who has never made a photo with a mirrorless camera before could set it to AUTO mode and easily create great pictures. But at the same time, it has all the flexibility to make a wonderful second body for a pro,” she enthuses.

“I truly believe every family should have this camera,” she concludes.

“You’re doing your job recording family moments, so you need something that can do its job making sharp, beautiful images.”

Shop FUJIFILM X-S20 today. Learn more and read the full specifications here.


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