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.

How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Family Photo Session {Seattle Family Photographer}

Choosing the right photographer for your family photography session can feel like a daunting task, especially in a larger city like Seattle where it seems there are a ton of options. By writing this, I hope I can help you narrow down the search a little more.

Where do you want your session?

Are you looking to have your session at home? At a local beach or park? Or do you want an adventure up a mountain somewhere? By choosing where you want your session, you’ll be able to start searching for a photographer who does sessions in the place you’re most interested in.

Do you want a posed session where everyone looks at the camera or do you prefer to be photographed engaging with your kids?

All photographers have a style. Many will photograph families perfectly posed, and others, myself included, take a more lifestyle approach and photograph the parents playing and snuggling with their children. Once you decide if you want a posed session or a lifestyle session, you can narrow down your search even further.

Do you want your images to be light and airy, dark and moody, or somewhere in between?

Photographers each have a unique editing style. Look over photographers’ portfolios to see if their editing style is inline with the vision you have for your photo session.

Get to know them

Having a photographer come into your home (if that’s where you choose to have your session) can be a very personal experience. Follow them on Instagram, read their about page on their website. Is this someone you would feel comfortable with posing you or being in your home?

I hope this will help narrow down your search. For the record, I take a more lifestyle approach and while I do a handful of outdoor family sessions over the summer and fall, my passion is in home photography. My editing style leans a little more light and airy and I feel like I’m a pretty fun person to be around :) It would be an honor to be chosen for your family photos.

A Beautiful New Family of Three {Edmonds Newborn Photographer}

I am so, so happy we were able to make this session happen at the last minute. This sweet first time mama, contacted me on a Thursday. Baby Luca had already arrived and she wanted a session as soon as possible so that she could have him photographed while he was still tiny and squishy. It’s always a good idea to book your session while you’re still pregnant so that I can guarantee you a spot, but if baby has already arrived, I will try my best to squeeze you in. I missed out on newborn photos with my oldest and I know how devastating that can be. I’d hate for anyone to miss out on the opportunity to capture this special time. Anyway, like I was saying, she reached out to me on the Thursday and thankfully, I had Saturday afternoon open. I’m so pleased it worked out. Little Luca is adorable and he’s surrounded by so much love. Thank you guys for allowing me to photograph your very beautiful love story.

Mentoring For Photographers {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I am thrilled to start offering mentoring for photographers looking to start lifestyle newborn sessions! A mentoring session includes a hour chat to discuss how to run a lifestyle newborn session. After that, you’ll accompany me on a newborn session. You will watch how I shoot, have the opportunity to shoot yourself and you can ask me about any specific poses you’d like to learn. After the session, we’ll chat about editing and how to deliver a gallery that your clients will love. The cost is $900 plus WA sales tax. If you’d like to know more, please contact me today.

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.

Surviving a Family Photoshoot {Edmonds Family Photographer}

How to make your next family photo session a stress free one.

Family photos are truly timeless and such a great keepsake for future generations. Getting the

family together to take those perfect portraits can turn into chaos if not approached correctly.

There is usually a lot more to consider when it comes to a family photoshoot since there are

members of all ages, which means that there is some extra coordination involved.

Below are some family photoshoot ideas and tips to keep you and your loved ones calm and smiling the whole way through.

1. Timing is everything. If you have younger children involved in the shoot, try and

arrange the photoshoot at a time when they would be well rested. A rested child makes

for happy photos. On that note, make sure that all family members have gotten enough

sleep the night before as this helps with the fun and relaxation aspects of the session.

2. Dos and don’ts of bribery. Get your family excited about the photoshoot instead of

offering a reward in return for their cooperation. This tends to lead to forced smiles and

an irritated bunch of people. If you do have small children coming along it’s not a bad

idea to give the photographer some bribery options in the form of toys or small food

items to make those difficult moments a little easier

3. Relinquish control. As much as you’ll want to direct your children on where to stand

and how to pose, it’s best to leave that to the photographer as they know what works

best. Not having this pressure will also make you feel more relaxed.

4. It’s not just about the posing. The best photos happen when you’re having fun so joke

and play with your children, hold your partner’s hand and just let the moments happen.

5. Plan ahead. Discuss all of your requirements with your photographer beforehand so

that the family photo session can just flow. Let your photographer know if you want

specific pictures taken.

6. Keep those sugar levels up. If everyone is well fed, the photoshoot will also run a lot

smoother. It’s also not a bad idea to take a few snacks and some water along for those

who might need it.

Enjoy capturing your memories.

A Summer Wrap Up {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Every year as school goes back, I feel sadness creeping in. Did we do enough? Did we make enough memories? Will my kids look back at the images I took of them and still smell the salty air at the beach? Will they remember late nights roasting marshmallows around a fire? Will they remember how the cool summer breeze felt as the sun dipped below the horizon? Will they remember the first time they conquered the diving board. Will this be a summer to remember?

The whole “18 summers” thing seems to be drilled into us. We are faced with such an enormous pressure to make every summer memorable and momentous. I’ve thought about this a lot lately and the unnecessary expectations we place on ourselves as parents. Should summers be laid back and fun and a time to make memories? Of course. But there are 9 others months each year that we can make memories with our kids too. Think back to your own favorite childhood memories. Were they all from the summer? Can you even remember what season they happened? And does it really matter? We really don’t have just “18 summers” with our kids. We have 18 years. And although we know those 18 years will pass by way quicker than we wish, it is still plenty of time to enjoy making memories.

So while I am still a little sad for summer to be over, it’s now time to move onto fall and start creating fall memories. There is still so much to look forward to. Enjoy those 18 years parents.

And because this wouldn’t be a post without pictures, here are some of the memories we made this summer.

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.

At Home With a Family of Five {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I met this strong mama though a workout program and I felt so honored when she asked me to photograph their latest little addition, Willow. Willow is adored by her big brother and big sister. It’s always so fun to see everyone step into their new roles once the new baby arrives. Little Willow has the most perfect dark brown hair, the opposite of her two big siblings. Despite her looking different, she fits in so well with her family. That third little baby is always such a blessing. They grow up just managing to fit in and they often seem to have such a laid back easy personality. Welcome to the world little Willow. You are so loved.

When is the best time for a family lifestyle session? {Everett family photographer}

Shooting in people’s homes, rather than outdoors gives us so many more opportunities to work around your family’s schedule when it comes to your shoot. Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to timing of photo sessions.

How far in advance should you schedule?

Although I am occasionally available for last minute shoots, aiming for 4-6 weeks before you want your photo shoot is always the best option.

What is the best time of year for at home lifestyle sessions?

With lifestyle sessions in your home, there is no bad season. The cooler months are great because you don’t need to bundle up to be outside, but the summer is equally great because we can still have your shoot at a decent hour, without having to keep the kids up late for a golden hour shoot.

What time of day should the session take place?

In home sessions can take place at much more reasonable times than outdoor sessions. I typically like to start morning sessions at 10am, or afternoon sessions at 2pm, but I can be flexible to accommodate your schedule.