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.

At Home with a Family of Three {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Sometimes I get an inquiry and I just know that we will mesh well as family and photographer. These were one of those families. I loved shooting in their home. It was bright and airy with plenty of space for little Talula to dance her heart out. I try to keep sessions as relaxed as possible as I know how stressful it can be particularly for the mama. This session was basically just a big dance party :) Little Talula loved to dance and she wore the perfect dress for the occasion.

One thing I really love about this session was how much love you could see between them all. The snuggly shots of them on the couch are my favorite. I also adore the way she would look directly into my camera, with so much soul in her eyes. I rarely ask anyone to look at my camera, but she would just do it willingly. She is truly delightful.

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.

A Beautiful Mother & Daughter Session {Lifestyle Photographer Seattle}

It’s not very often I shoot outdoors anymore. The majority of my sessions take place inside the family home, but every now and then, I’ll venture out into the great outdoors for a session.

I was happy to see these two again. I had last photographed them when the little girl was two years old, almost exactly two years ago. It’s crazy how much she has changed in those two years.

I hope you guys treasure these photos of you two. The love in them is abundant.

Why You Should Be Documenting Childhood {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

So many family photographers pick up the camera for their first time following the birth of their first child. When you become a parent, you have this need to capture every little moment because you don’t want to forget any little detail. That’s how I got started in photography, and eight years later, I still love to document our daily life.

I used to be a writer. Growing up, I thought I’d end up writing in some capacity as an adult. My favorite classes were English and creative writing. I used to write all sorts of stories and poems and I would have notebooks upon notebooks of creative writing. Over time, I stopped writing for fun. I think somewhere between the political science and law essays, I lost my love for it. But then Charlie was born and I had this need to document life, as well as a need to create. I didn’t find my love for writing again, but something about documenting him through photographs spoke to me. I treat my photographs of my children as my love letter to them. I hope that when they look at their images when they’re grown up, they can feel the love I have for them. My hope is that when they look at all the little details I photograph, or the way I got down on their level to photograph them, that they see themselves the way I do. I hope that although I may have lost my way with writing, that I am able to express my love for them through photographs. I hope that their own children will look at these images and see what their childhood looked like.

Embracing Motherhood {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

As a lifestyle photographer, there is nothing more beautiful to me than images of a mother with her babies.

We’ve all heard before about how mothers are rarely in images with their kids. We are the memory keepers, the family historians, and more than often than not, the photographers in the family, whether we’re professional photographers or not. It is so important that we are in images with our kids. We love them so much and one day that will be all they’ll have left of us. It’s so important that we give them a tangible gift that they can keep with them long after we’re gone.

It’s so easy to say that we’ll do it later. When we’ve lost weight, when we don’t look so tired, or when we have new, nicer clothing to wear. Just for a second, I want you to close your eyes. Think of an image you have of your mama. Do you care if she’s a few pounds overweight? Do you care if she has bags under her eyes? Do you care about what she’s wearing? Chances are, none of that matters. You see strength. You see beauty. You see yourself as a child when she was the only source of comfort you ever needed. Your children deserve those memories too. Now is always the right time. If you would like to preserve these memories for your kids, please send me a message. I’d love to chat with you.

I hope you enjoy these images of this lovely mama with her two sweet girls. These images were all captured within about 5 minutes, so if you think your kids won’t make it though a photo session, rest assured. Magic can happen in mere minutes.

Why You Should Have a Lifestyle Session At Home {Seattle Family Photographer}

Lifestyle Family Sessions at Home

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I love to photograph families in their homes, the four walls in which they are most comfortable. If you’re here, you may be wondering if a lifestyle family session is for you. Here are my top reasons why I love photographing families at home.

Sessions can take place outside of the golden hour

Most photographers love shooting in the golden hour, that is the hour after sunrise, and the hour before sunset. I adore that time too, as it gives us the most beautiful and flattering light, however, it isn’t always possible with young kids. In the middle of summer, when the sun isn’t setting until after 9pm, it can be hard to keep kids not only awake, but happy at that hour. It is a lot easier to have an in home session at a time that works best for your family. The majority of my sessions start around 10am or 2pm, but I can always be flexible and come when it suits your family the most.

Your home contains items that can’t be found on a beach or in an open field

When I was photographing the family below, I saw this gorgeous chair and asked the mama to sit in it. While she was doing so, the dad told me that he bought that chair on the day that they met. Your house tells your story in a way that a public location can’t.

Your kids are more relaxed and in better moods in their own space

Most kids can take a while to warm up to new people and new locations. If they’re in their own space, the session often goes a lot smoother and we can be done faster.

You have put a lot of effort into your home and it should be celebrated

Most of the families I work with have spent a lot of time and money into creating a space that is uniquely theirs. You should be proud of the work you have put in and a photography session in your home not only celebrates your family, but the space you have put so much time and effort into.

Lastly, it’s the little things

I have so many things to list here but here are a few:

• pets can be included

• bare feet are welcome

• no-one else is watching as you have your session

• no need to travel long distances

Motherhood Sessions {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Introducing Motherhood Sessions

Have you ever wished that someone would take photos of you with your kids, just like you always take of your partner with the kids? As the mom in the home, you are more than likely the memory keeper but you’re also more likely to miss out on getting in the frame with your kids. What if you could give you children a tangible gift which shows them how much you love them? A gift that you will cherish now, but they will cherish as adults.

I am so excited to be offering motherhood sessions just in time for Mother’s Day this year.

Sessions will take place on Saturday April 27th, and Saturday May 4th. Sessions will last twenty minutes and each day there will be only three spots available to make sure you all get that beautiful evening light. Sessions will take place at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline. The exact location will be given upon booking. Sessions are $200 (WA sales tax will apply) and you will receive ten edited images made available in time for you to share on Mother’s Day! The following times are available:

7.30pm

7.50pm

8.10pm

If you are ready to book, please contact me and write “Motherhood Sessions” in the subject line. Please include your preferred time. I will try my best to accommodate you but they will be first in, first served.

I can’t wait to capture you with your babies!

Happy Birthday - A Little Cake Smash Session {Family Lifestyle Photographer}

Cake smash sessions aren’t something I would typically offer. They are usually done in studio with a big set up. As a lifestyle photographer, I don’t use props and I normally photograph inside people’s homes, not a studio. When my littlest turned one, I still wanted to do something special for him, but without the fancy set up. I wanted to take a more lifestyle approach to it so instead of investing in a fancy backdrop, we just took him outside and let him eat cake while illuminated by the beautiful sunrise behind him. Like my middle child, he wasn’t really into the cake. It was the first time he had tried sugar, and it wasn’t a taste he seemed to like. Happy first birthday to my sweet Oscar.

A Beautiful Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Family Photographer}

Photographing newborns in their homes is probably my most favorite type of family session. Being able to witness families as they welcome a new little being into their lives is an honor I don’t take for granted. II was so happy to capture this family again when they welcomed baby Anderson. I first photographed them for their maternity session and it was so great to their home and capture them as they transitioned into the role of parents. You would never have known he was their first. They were as laid back as parents welcoming baby number three or four. Little Anderson was just as laid back as them too!

One of the reasons I love in home lifestyle sessions so much is because you capture so much of the real. They are so authentic and capture life exactly as it is in those first few days. The cuddles, the feedings, the bouncing up and down. We can photograph baby exactly how he is, with no need to spend hours rocking him to sleep. If he’s happiest in the arms of his parents, then that’s exactly where we’ll keep him. Mostly, I think these sessions are so great at capturing the love and connection within the family. There is so much emotion in those first few days of a new baby’s life, and I believe it’s so important to capture it.

Choosing the right photographer for your family can be a tough choice, especially if you’re not sure what kind of photography session you’re after. If you would like to talk it over, please feel free to contact me. I’d love to go over what I can offer you so that you have a better understanding of how my newborn sessions go. In the meantime, enjoy looking through these images of sweet baby Anderson and his loving parents.