Home is where the heart is

There are quite a few reasons I absolutely LOVE in home sessions. One of my biggest goals for my clients experience during their photoshoot, is that they feel comfortable. The essence of my best work is that it has honesty and my subjects are actually being themselves. For most people, especially young children, the place they are most comfortable is in their home.

Doing a photoshoot is something so many people want, but can also cause some nerves (this is so normal!). When this is the case, I will almost always recommend that the family do their photoshoot in and outside of their home.

The more comfortable your family feels during their photo session, the more genuine the photos will be

I love to curate a session through setting, styling and activities- it 100% pays off to be intentional in these ways to up the elements of art and storytelling in your images. I do NOT like forcing poses, or having my family's try to be "picture perfect". My goal is to always document my subjects being themselves. It can be easy to get caught up in wanting the instagram/pinterest worthy images, but the truth is, when you look back at these photos 30 years from now what do you want to actually see?

I would gander to say that you do want to be able to look at photos that represent your family and who they are in a real way. You don't want to look back and remember how you had to scold or bribe your children into cooperating and saying "cheese". Having your session in and around your home can make it easier for your family to feel comfortable and be themselves. Essentially, the only variable that is changing is me and my camera being present.

Plan activities and traditions you do every day with your family during your photoshoot

The absolutely magic of an in home session is being able to actually record your family's history. You are not only photographing your family, but you are also documenting the four walls that surround you. The walls that your family spends most of its time. What's on your fridge? What toys are filling your child's room and playroom? How are you spending your time together?

I encourage my family's to think of the everyday traditions they have- these can be as simple as reading a book in the place you always read a book together, looking out the window and watching the garbage man come, your child brushing their teeth. These things sound small, but they are what make up life.

That sounds great, but how can I make sure my in home session really records what life looks like for my family?

A great exercise can be staying mindful for a few days- paying attention as you go through your week with your family and write down the moments you likely take for granted, but so badly want to remember. I might guess that things like reading together, your kiddos playing on the swing set after school, your children playing on the floor while you and your husband read together, your family baking together or doing a craft together, or taking a family walk (all the while your little one finding every rock along the way), the way your partner tucks your hair behind your ear, or whispers something silly to you.

What are you waiting for?

The beauty of in home photos that are focused on documentation, is that there really is no reason to wait. There is nothing you need to do to prepare- the purpose is recording your family's history and what life looks like in the moment.