How to Prepare Your Home for Your In Home Photography Session

The majority of my family sessions are held in home and one of the questions I’m asked the most is how to prepare the home. A lot of Seattle area homes are old with small windows and the number one thing I’m looking for is the quality of the light. If you walk around your home a few days before your scheduled session time, take a look at where the light is the most abundant. These are likely the areas we’ll be using for your photo session.

You don’t need to redecorate or go crazy styling your home. The point of having an in home session is to photograph your family in the space in which they are most comfortable. You will want to keep in mind that anything left out has the potential to make it into your photos, so if you don’t want it photographed, put it out of sight.

Top things to do:

1. Make beds

2. Clean up countertops

3. Open all shades

4. Turn off overhead lights

5. Tidy up main living spaces

6. Make sure any picture frames / artwork are straight

7. Remove water bottles and phone chargers from bedside tables

8. Fix any broken windows

9. Clean mirrors (I use them a lot during my in home family sessions)

Not sure how to prepare your family for your photography session? Read this.

Ready to book? Let’s connect.

Why Lifestyle Photography?

How I Became a Lifestyle Photographer

When I first started photography, I used to scroll Pinterest and Instagram looking for the perfect poses, the ones that I thought everyone wanted and expected. I would nervously show up to family sessions with a mental list of every pose I thought I had to get. I would leave a photography session either with pride that I had captured what I needed, or I’d be kicking myself for not getting everything on my list. I ran my photography business like this for a while and to be honest, it was exhausting. Family and newborn sessions stressed me out, but photographing my own family was a completely different story.

In January of 2015, I did a workshop all about lifestyle photography. It changed the way I photographed my children. Instead of stressing about them being perfectly dressed and perfectly posed, I started to photograph them exactly as they were, and not only did I see a huge improvement in my photography, but I started to love and treasure the moments I was capturing for my family. Below is the first photo I took during that workshop. Nothing amazing, just a quiet moment captured in an unposed and natural way.

I felt happy with my personal work but I was still trying to be a “perfect” photographer when it came to my family and newborn sessions. I knew there was a huge disconnect there but I didn’t quite see what it was. Slowly, after lots of workshops, a ton of photography sessions, and a whole lot of soul searching, I realized that I needed to relax more when I photographed families and newborns. I needed to forget about perfection and focus on the love and connection between family members. Once that happened, my whole approach to family sessions changed and I was able to start enjoying paid sessions as much as my personal shooting. Still photographing outdoors at beaches and fields, I was happy with the direction my photography was moving, but there was something missing. I realized how much I enjoyed in home lifestyle sessions. I noticed how much personality was in a family’s home and how much more comfortable the kids (and often the parents) were in their own space. I saw the beauty in a family’s space and felt like I needed to show a family the beauty that I see in them. Back in 2018, I nervously made the decision to switch over to a mainly in home lifestyle business model (don’t worry, I still do a handful of outdoor family sessions in the warmer months). I posted a couple of model calls for in home sessions to build my portfolio, and announced on social media that I was making the switch. I felt like I was going to lose a ton of families, but the response has been better than I could have imagined. People seem to have realized the benefit of not trekking for ages to get to an epic location, they realized that there is so much beauty in their every day and that it should be celebrated. They’ve realized that there is no better backdrop than the four walls in which they are most comfortable.

I have lots of resources if you’d like to learn more about an in home photography session like when is the best time or why I think you should have an in home session.

A Quarantine Picture Journal {Seattle Family Photographer}

This has been a year unlike any other. I have found it somewhat therapeutic to photograph my boys as we navigate 2020. Being at home has really made me aware of how important our living space is to me. I love our 110 year old home, even with its quirks, and there’s no other place I’d rather be than here. It’s made me realize how important in home photography is. Your home is the back drop for your lives. It’s where so many important things happen and it should be celebrated and photographed as it helps tell your story. I hope you enjoy seeing our journey through quarantine.

Introducing Baby Dez {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

The summer has been so busy and one of the sweetest sessions I’ve done has been this one with baby Dez. This session was scheduled after baby had already made his appearance and we were able to fit it in last minute. While it’s always a good idea to schedule your newborn session while you are still pregnant, please don’t hesitate to reach out once your baby is here. I would hate for you to miss out on newborn photos, so I will always try to squeeze you in!

This family welcomed their first baby a few weeks ago. He was about two weeks old for his newborn session and was as sweet as can be. I loved including their first fur baby in the images too. He seemed to handle adjusting to the new baby so well and it was so sweet to capture it. One of the best parts of my job is getting to know the families. One of the first things I noticed when I entered their home was a dish towel from New Zealand. Being from New Zealand, this caught my attention. They had honeymooned there a couple of years earlier and it was so nice being able to talk with them about my beautiful homeland.

I loved this session so much and I hope you do too. It was an honor to capture you as you transition to parenthood with that sweet little boy.

If you are wanting to book your own newborn session, please make sure you check out my portfolio to make sure I’m the right photographer for you, then get in touch so we can get you on the calendar. I’m currently booking newborns, both in home lifestyle sessions and Fresh 48 sessions through March 2020.

When to Schedule Your Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Family Photography}

As a lifestyle newborn photographer, my goal is always to make your newborn photo session go as smoothly as possible. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions:

How far in advance should I book my newborn session?

It is always best to book your newborn session when you are still pregnant. Knowing that babies are unpredictable and come when they’re ready, I will only book a certain amount of newborn sessions each month. We will pencil in your due date, and once baby arrives, you can let me know and we will narrow down the best date. Most moms book around the 6 month mark, however, if your baby is already here, please still reach out because I may have some availability.

How old should my baby be when we have the session?

The beauty of lifestyle sessions is that your baby doesn’t have to be sleeping for the session like most posed newborn photographers prefer. Posed photographers like to get babies in for the session in the first ten days as babies tend to sleep more in that time. For a lifestyle newborn session, it doesn’t matter if baby is a few days or a month old. I typically do in home newborn sessions in the first 2-3 weeks, but we can do it anytime in that first month. This is great if you’ve had a difficult recovery or if baby had a rough start.

How long does an in home lifestyle session take?

Sessions are relaxed and I never want you to feel rushed. I am typically at your house for about an hour and a half. If baby needs to take a break then we will do so. I don’t like to rush sessions so if we need longer than that, then I will stay longer.

What time of the day should we have our newborn session?

I will talk to you to best determine the time based on your families needs. Most sessions take place around 10am, but I am flexible if that doesn’t work for your family.

If you have any other questions or are ready to book, please get in touch. I can’t wait to chat with you.