Winter Wonderland: Why In-Home Family Photography Sessions Shine During the Cold Months

As the snowflakes fall and the fireplace crackles, winter brings a unique charm to our homes. It's a season of coziness, connection, and love. And what better way to capture that magic than with an in-home family photography session?

Benefits of Winter In-Home Sessions

1. Cozy Atmosphere: Your home is already filled with warmth and character. Let's harness that coziness to create authentic, inviting photos.

2. Golden Light: Soft, natural light streams through your windows, casting a beautiful glow on your family.

3. Intimate Moments: Winter's chill encourages snuggles, hot chocolate, and quality time. I'll capture these tender moments, preserving your family's love.

4. No Outdoor Worries: Forget about bundling up or worrying about the weather. Relax in your own space, and let me work my magic.

5. Slow Down and Cherish: Winter's pace is slower. Embrace this season's tranquility, and let's create beautiful memories.

What to Expect

- A relaxed, lifestyle photography approach that feels like a warm hug

- Guidance on how to prepare your home for a stress-free session

- Capturing genuine moments, laughter, and love

- Beautiful, timeless photos to treasure

Book Your Winter Wonderland Session Don't let the cold weather keep you from preserving your family's love.

Schedule your in-home family photography session today and:

- Secure your preferred date and time

- Enjoy a stress-free, cozy experience

- Receive stunning photos perfect for holiday gifts, cards, or simply cherishing

Seattle In-Home Family Photography | Winter Sessions

Contact me to book your session and let's create winter wonderland memories that will warm your heart for years to come.

How Do I Prepare for my Family Photo Session

You’ve booked your family photography session but now you’re wondering what you can do to prepare for the big day. Whether you’re having your family photo session outdoors at one of the beautiful locations Seattle has to offer, or in the comfort of your own home, here are my top tips to make sure your photo day goes as smoothly as possible.

Make sure the kids are well rested

Your family photo session should be the big activity for your family that day. Try to make sure there aren’t any other big events such as birthday parties or zoo visits. You’ll want your kids to be happy and exhausted kids often mean cranky kids.

Have your wardrobe finalized about a week before

There’s nothing worse than trying on your outfit right before your session starts and realizing that something doesn’t fit. Aim to have everything finalized at least a week before your session. That way, if something doesn’t fit, you’ll have time to find a replacement.

Check for chipped nail polish

Trust me, it shows in pictures!

Don’t forget to eat before your session

Nothing makes kids (and adults) melt down quicker than a growling stomach. Have a light meal before your photo session, right before you get changed for it. This will keep the whole family happy.

Bring snacks

If you want to keep your kids going throughout the session, many parents like to have some snacks on hand. I recommend non-messy snacks such as gummies so they don’t stain the clothes.

Good things to have on hand

It’s great to have things like a hairbrush and baby wipes handy.

Relax!

If you’ve been following my work at all, you know I’m not going to ask you to stand, smile and look awkward in front of the camera. Just love on your babies, play with them, snuggle with your partner, then let me handle the rest. All you need to do is show up as YOU!

If you’d like to know more about my sessions, take a look at my information page.

Why You Should Have Your Family Photography Session at Your Home {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

I strongly believe that your home is always the perfect backdrop for your family photographs. Here are some of the reasons why:

Your home is warm and cozy

Here in the Seattle area, the winters are long and rainy. By having your family photography session in your home, we will never have to reschedule due to weather, and you don’t need to take your kids out in the cold.

Your kids are more comfortable at home

Your home is your children’s safe space. They feel more comfortable there than any other place on earth. When they’re comfortable, they’re much more likely to cooperate for your family session.

Your home helps tell your story

Most of the time, a beach or park has no real meaning to the family being photographed there. Your home is a part of who you are and helps to tell your story.

You don’t have to drive for a long time to get to a location

All you need to do is be ready when I arrive. I do the traveling so you don’t have to!

It would be an honor to photograph your family in the four walls in which you’re most comfortable!

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.

Why You Should Have an In Home Family Session {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}I ma

I make no secret that in home sessions are my absolute favorite, but there seems to be a common misconception that in home sessions are for newborns only. There are lots of reasons why a family may opt for an in home sessions that I’d like to share with you today.

1. The weather in Seattle can be challenging, particularly over the cooler months. It often feels like it rains from October through to May. This can be a nightmare for rescheduling. If you have an in home photography session, there is no need to reschedule if the weather isn’t great. Not only does it not matter if it’s raining, it also doesn’t matter if it’s freezing cold outside. You’ll be toasty and warm in the comfort of your own home.

2. No shoes needed. That’s all.

3. Kids are more comfortable in their own home.

4. In the summer, the hour before sunset (the best time to shoot outdoors) is incredibly late which means keeping kids up past their bedtime. The best time for in home sessions is mid morning or mid afternoon.

5. Your home helps to tell your story. There are things in your home that are meaningful. You can’t find that on a beach or an open field.

6. An outdoor location can add a lot of time onto your session, depending on the location chosen. Many locations are a good 30-60 minutes away, adding on up to two hours to your session. With in an home session, there’s no travel time!

7. In home family sessions feel cozy, warm and intimate. I believe they’re the best way to capture your family’s love story.

What is Lifestyle Photography?

“Don’t shoot what it looks like, shoot what it feels like” - David Alan Harvey

Lifestyle photography falls somewhere in the middle between a completely journalistic photography style and a smile-and-look-at-the-camera posed style. Lifestyle photography captures families loving on one another while still being somewhat directed by the photographer. The majority of my lifestyle sessions take place in your home. Newsflash - you do not need a newborn to have an in-home session! That seems to be a common misconception. Many people think that in-home sessions are for newborns and outdoor sessions are for families with older kids, but I have photographed many families in their own homes with breathtaking results. There are many reasons why I love in-home sessions but one of the major reasons why I love shooting in-home is because that’s where you’re most comfortable, and when you feel comfortable, it shows in your images.

When I arrive, I will take a quick walk around your house to determine where the best light is. Once that’s complete, I’ll slowly get out my camera while chatting with your kids until they feel comfortable with me. A lot of people feel awkward having their photo taken. Please know that this is completely normal! My goal is to make this as relaxing as possible. I will always help guide you into position, however, I’m not going to ask you to look and smile at me. Once you’re in position, I’m going to ask you to look down at your kids, tickle them (if that’s their thing), snuggle with them, read to them, play with them. This will help create meaningful images that show your kids how much they are loved.

How should you prepare your house for an in-home session? First of all, your house doesn’t have to be perfect. You have kids, it should look like they live there, however, please keep in mind that anything left out has the potential to be photographed. If you don’t want it in your images, put it away. I usually use the main bedroom, living room and kids rooms / nursery so if you want to tidy up, focus on those areas.

What should you wear to your in home session? I recommend that all family members are barefoot. I will have you sit on your bed, or snuggle on the couch, places where you wouldn’t normally wear shoes. It’s also easier for you that way because it’s one less thing to worry about! I have an online styling service for all my families and you are more than welcome to use it to pull together outfits. You can be as casual or as dressed up as you like. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable!

Any questions? Reach out! I’d love to chat with you.

Welcome to the World Sweet Baby

A Final Farewell to A Beautiful Home {Everett Lifestyle Photographer}

I make no secret that my absolute favorite sessions occur inside your home. I was so honored when our friends and neighbors asked me to come photograph them inside their beautiful Northwest Everett home before they packed up and moved out of state. They have created this gorgeous home together and have had so many amazing memories in it. Children have been born here, they’ve had first days of school, birthday parties, first steps, lazy Saturday mornings, PTA meetings, renovations but mostly, there’s been a whole lot of love in these four walls.

Welcoming Connor {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Newborn lifestyle sessions will always and forever be my absolute favorite sesisons to photograph. This one was no exception. Welcome to the world sweet boy!

A New Family of Three {Everett Newborn Photographer}

This session ranks up there as one of my very favorites. I love watching a couple become parents and these two seemed like they were made for the task. I hope to see their little family as it grows given that they live right in my neighborhood.

Welcome to the world baby Ellis!