In-home photography is magical! There is something incredibly special about photographing a family in their home. A home isn’t just another backdrop for a photo session; it’s part of your family’s story. I adore a cozy and personal in-home session, and you might, too!
The Pros of In-Home Photography
- No rushing out the door: You don’t have to drag your children somewhere and worry about arriving on time or forgetting something. When your family is less stressed about arriving on time, you’ll have a more relaxed session–maybe even a stress-free family photo session!
- The comfort of home: Your children will be comfortable at home and less likely to be distracted by new things. Many children may not need as much time to warm up to the photo session in the comfort and safety of their home.
- It’s weather-proof! Your in-home session isn’t dependent upon good weather; we don’t have to worry about the temperature or rain.
But the hang-up that many mothers have is that their home is lived in. It’s messy. Let’s address a few myths.
In-Home Family Photography Myths
MYTH #1: MY HOUSE SHOULD BE SPOTLESS BEFORE THE SESSION
Reality: No way! I promise I’m not coming into your home to judge. Pretend I’m your best friend in the world. You probably don’t clean your whole house before your best friend visits. A lived-in home is totally normal, and I promise I’m no stranger to the mess of an everyday home. Also, I feel inclined to remind you that having a clean home doesn’t make you a good person or a better parent – and the inverse is true, too. Having a messy home doesn’t make you a bad person or a bad parent. I know these things, so if I see a messy home when I arrive, I’m not going to make any assumptions about your character.
MYTH #2: YOUR HOME NEEDS TO BE LARGE AND FANCY FOR GOOD PHOTOS.
Reality: The home you live in today is a worthy backdrop for your family photos – it’s where your family’s most loving and intimate moments probably happen: tucking your children into bed at night, making pancakes on a Saturday morning, playing cars or dolls on the warm rug in your living room. I can take (and have taken!) beautiful photos in an everyday, normal home.
MYTH #3: MY KIDS WILL JUST WANT TO PLAY WITH THEIR TOYS AND WON’T COOPERATE.
Reality: With an in-home session, I balance candid photos with classic “smile at the camera” portraits. I want your children to play with their favorite toys so I can capture those moments for you. Maybe those Fisher-Price Little People aren’t aesthetic, but they’re your 2-year-old’s favorite toy. You’re going to want to remember that.
The other reality is that the most authentic smiles from a child come from when they get to play while they pose. “Say Cheese!” smiles don’t hold a candle to ones they naturally produce. I strive to make sure your kids are having a great time during their session so they actually smile!
MYTH #4: I NEED PINTEREST-PERFECT DECOR.
Reality: Your authentic space tells your family’s story. I am beyond excited to show your family as they are and their most meaningful place is the perfect backdrop for an intimate session.
MYTH #5: MY HOUSE IS TOO DARK.
Reality: You’d be surprised what I can do with natural light even in a darker home. You’d be surprised what I can do with natural light even in a darker home. We’ll use your windows and doorways strategically and create magic.
If you’re ready to book (or you’re preparing for an upcoming session), let’s talk about how to prepare for an in-home photography session.
Your goal in preparing your home is to focus on the areas we will use in our session. The two factors we will consider in determining the best locations for your photo session are (1) natural light and (2) meaning to your family.
Which rooms in your home get the best natural light? During your session, we’ll turn off all of your artificial lights because those can leave color casts in the photographs. Start to pay attention to which rooms are best with the lights off. If none of your rooms get great lighting, that’s okay, too.
Next, ask yourself which rooms are the most meaningful to you and your family. Usually, living rooms, bedrooms (or nursery), and kitchens are the rooms most meaningful to a family. Maybe your family piles on the couch for movie night every Friday night. Maybe your kids sit at the kitchen island to do crafts all the time. Or your dining room is where the family gathers for weekly family game night. Think of the beautiful everyday moments you cherish and where those moments take place. These are the rooms we want to work in.
What to Clean (and What to Ignore) for an In-Home Photo Session
Once you’ve chosen the rooms you’d like to have photos in, prepare those rooms – and only those rooms! Do a general tidy-up and remove unwanted clutter – but not all of the elements that make your home feel warm and lived-in. You want to remove Laundry Mountain from your couch but leave the stack of books your toddler insists on reading every single day.
Ignore your baseboards – please don’t wash them for a photo session – but tuck errant toys back into their baskets. Put the mail you haven’t gone through in a drawer or another room but leave out that craft your oldest made in art class last week.
Your goal should be to remove the distractions but keep the personal, homey touches.
A little preparation can be super helpful in preparing for an in-home photography session. You want your home to be “everyday clean” but not “we’re selling the house” clean. My goal in an in-home session is to tell your family’s everyday, ordinary yet beautiful story. I’m not there to photograph your house!
Are you considering an in-home session? I’d love to help document your precious, everyday moments in the place that means the most–your home. Let’s chat today about creating a session that feels relaxed, stress-free, and authentically you.
