When is the Best Time for an In-Home Photography Session?

If you’ve decided that you want your family photography session at home, you may be wondering when the best time is. There are a few things to keep in mind:

Lighting

Lighting in your home is going to depend on the time of year. I typically like to avoid midday as the sun is often right above the home and not coming in through the windows. I find that a 10am or 2pm starting time are often the best times for your photography session.\

Nap times

If your little one(s) are still nappers, we will avoid naptime so that they are happy and well rested for their session.

Meal times

Like nap time, it’s best to avoid meal time for your session too. You don’t want growling little tummies, messy faces, and grumpy kids. I recommend feeding them before I arrive.

The length of the session

In home sessions typically last one to one and a half hours. It pays to keep that in mind when planning around your children’s schedules.

A 2022 Wrap Up {Seattle Family Photographer}

What a wonderful year 2022 was. It was filled with lots of familiar faces that I’ve photographed for 6-7 years in a row, as well as several new families I got to meet for the first time. I photographed 46 families and 18 newborns. I did my first lifestyle newborn mentoring session for another photographer, and I started making plans to start a class for parents on how to take better vacation photos (more on that to come later). March and August were my busiest months for newborns, while September and October were my busiest months overall. I was able to return to Fresh 48 sessions which makes me so happy! Here are some of my favorite images for the year. I am so grateful to each and every family who booked a session with me this year. Here’s to a wonderful 2023!

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!

Little Kids + Golden Hour {Everett Family Photographer}

If you’re thinking about a summer family session, you may be concerned that keeping your little ones up until sunset will be to tough for your family. The sun sets late here in the Seattle area in the height of summer, and many parents share this concern. Here are some tips to help you make your family session go as smoothly as possible when it’s later than bedtime:

• Plan for a quiet day. Your session day shouldn’t be spent rushing around running errands, playing at trampoline parks or participating in hours of sports. Instead, try activities like reading, doing puzzles or snuggling on the couch.

• Let your kids sleep in if they want to. Today is the day to avoid waking them up at their normal time. If you normally need to wake them for daycare or school, try not to keep them on their normal routine and let them sleep as long as they will.

• If your kids still nap, try to push their nap out further into the day. While it may seem like your ruining their routine, one day won’t do much damage. If your kids don’t nap, try having some “quiet time” by reading books in bed or just resting for a few minutes.

• To avoid them getting hungry during the session, bring a snack for them to eat right before we start. You may want to avoid changing them into their photo session outfits until after they’ve finished their snack.

• Kids are often distracted in a new place, particularly if we’re photographing them in a new outdoor location. If they’re normally grumpy and having meltdowns at bedtime at home, they will more than likely be so distracted in a new place and by doing something outside of their normal routine, that they don’t even notice they should be sleeping.

• Lastly, please remember that if you really want that beautiful golden summer light, that keeping them up past their bedtime will totally be worth if and every time you see your images on the wall, you’ll think about how beautiful they are, rather than the one day you skipped your normal routine.

If you’d like to schedule a summer session, please contact me here. I would be so honored to work with you.

Welcoming a Sweet Baby Boy

Welcome to the world little Sebastian. It was an honor to take your newborn photos!

A Cozy In Home Session on a Cool Fall Day {Seattle Family Photographer}

What happens if time gets away from you and you never get around to scheduling a newborn session when your baby is still tiny? Should you just skip a session? In my opinion, absolutely not! I photograph babies exactly how I photograph newborns, it really doesn’t matter if they are 6 days or 6 months! This sweet boy was almost 4 months for his sesison. His amazing parents had just finished renovating their gorgeous house and it was a perfect time to photograph this new family of three in the four walls which makes up their home.

What to Wear for your Photo Session {Seattle Family Photographer}

Are you holding back on booking family photos because you feel overwhelmed with picking outfits for your whole family? It’s a common concern but I am here to help. For one, all my clients have access to my online styling service. This will help make choosing your outfits a breeze, but here are some tips to get you started:

1. Mama, pick your outfit first. You’re the one that likely wants this session more than anyone else so pick something you feel not only beautiful in, but comfortable too.

2. Once you’ve chosen your outfit, choose your color pallet based on that. If you have a pattern, pull two different colors from it to dress the rest of your family. If you’re wearing a solid, pick two other colors that will compliment it.

3. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, just limit it to two different patters with some solids too.

4. Accessorize! Especially in cooler months. Beanies, scarves, chunky sweaters all look great.

5. Don’t forget footwear. Brightly colored running shoes can ruin a perfectly coordinated outfit. Go for neutral footwear so it doesn’t clash with the rest of your clothes.

6. Don’t be afraid to run your selections passed your photographer. Most are happy to help!

A Beautiful Golden Hour Family Session {Edmonds Family Photographer}

This beautiful family returned for another session. It’s always such an honor to photograph families as they grow.

A New Family of Three {Everett Lifestyle Photographer}

Welcome to the world little Theo!