5 Tips for your in-home photoshoot
I’ve heard many clients echo the stress that comes with the idea of in home family photos. With families, pregnancy, newborns, even careers, the idea of deep cleaning the whole house for the aesthetic shot seems so far fetched. And where in my house is a photogenic backdrop? Is my home even pretty enough? Yes, your home is pretty enough, and I guarantee you there are so many photogenic opportunities that you just don’t see yet. In this article, I’ll help you think like a photographer so you can feel confident and prepped, and we can focus on shooting during your in home photography session!
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to the crisp, pristine, 100% organic cotton portraits of Pinterest. But we live real lives, full of chaos and busyness. So, to ease your mind with your upcoming in-home session, here’s 5 tips to make your home photoshoot as smooth as possible.
Number 5 is the most important so read to the end!
1. Windows, Windows, Windows…
Even Doors, Sometimes.
It’s Sunlight!
Eyes are the window to the soul- windows are the soul of the photographer’s eye.
First, think of the direction of your living space. Does it face North, East, South, or West?
Think of how it looks in the morning, at noon, at sunset?
Is there anywhere in the house the sunlight just floods in?
As we move through this article, think of how the light in your space looks at our scheduled session time. Prioritize placements next to windows, open doors, keep things in bright open spaces. Even if you have a dim, cozier home, place your backdrops as close to windows, or open doors that are as open as possible, letting in as much light as possible, and I promise you: we will make it work!
2. Find 2 Activities, Routines, Simple Memories that Mean the Most to You.
Brainstorm 2 activities that bring you joy and encapsulate your families’ home life. The simpler, the better.
For some it may be reading or playing blocks. Maybe it’s something in your daily routine like cooking together, bath time, or haircare. Perhaps something bonding like a family meal, movie night, or snuggles in bed.
Just 2 simple activities that we can capture in a loving, tender way (and give you something to do with your hands!)
3. We’ll Make a Cozy Space
We’ll make a space that brings your family into each other. This can be a bed, the couch, even a bunch of pillows on the ground.
We want somewhere for snuggles and those activities (outside of bath time or fingerpainting) to happen somewhere warm, welcoming, and homey.
Making this space in the shape of a corner gives us more flexibility to play with light, posing, and shape. I can help you do this on the day of but if you want to get ahead of me… Keep tip #1 in mind!
4. Try to Live Like Normal
The best in-home photography is taken by a fly on the wall photographer. So, don’t be afraid to distract yourself.
Do normal activities.
If this is a newborn in-home photography session or with a toddler, don’t be afraid to make a snack, change a diaper, let toys be strewn.
Let the littles run this show. One thing they know how to do is be precious. This is all about you and them.
5. Relax and Trust the Process
The goal of an in-home session is to capture how your memories in your home feel. So let yourself feel.
Try to remember that what makes a good photo is the emotion behind it.
So leading up to your session and on the day, think to yourself all that it took to get to that point you are now, the pride you feel in your home and give yourself all the space to be as grateful and as giddy as you can be.
The cheesy, the better. The more heartfelt, the more genuine.
The more you relax, trust the process, lean in, and let yourself have fun feeling all the love, that joy will easily come through in the final product.
I challenge you to plan a treat day on the day of the session! Make getting ready a whole event or have a treat after! Attach positive memories to that day, it makes the experience so much more special. You won’t regret having the memories.
I hope this helps you and your family have a successful and memorable in-home session, and I can’t wait to see you soon for ours! Remember the most important tip to HAVE FUN! I can take care of the rest.