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.

Embracing the beauty of newborn photography: It's never too late!

As a Seattle newborn photographer, I often encounter parents who believe they've missed the opportunity for a newborn photography session because their baby is no longer a tiny newborn. But the truth is, it's never too late to capture the magic of your little one's early days!

Traditionally, newborn photography sessions take place within the first two weeks of life, when babies are still tiny and sleepy. However, every baby develops at their own pace, and some may not be ready for a photoshoot until a bit later. That's okay! As a seasoned newborn photographer in Seattle, I've worked with babies of all ages and stages, and I can confidently say that every moment is precious and worthy of capture.

In fact, photographing your baby at a slightly older age can have its advantages. At around 4-6 weeks, babies often have more alert and awake periods, making for some truly adorable and engaging photos. Their little personalities start to shine through, and we can capture some beautiful moments of interaction and connection.

So, don't worry if your baby is no longer a tiny newborn – we can still create stunning, heartwarming images that you'll treasure for a lifetime. As a Seattle newborn photographer, I'm skilled at adapting to each baby's unique needs and pace, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable experience for the whole family.

If you're thinking, "But my baby is already 2-3 months old, is it still worth it?" Absolutely! While the traditional newborn phase may have passed, we can still capture the sweetness and innocence of your baby's early months. And, let's be honest, these early days go by so fast – it's essential to preserve the memories before they slip away.

In conclusion, don't let the idea that your baby is "too old" for a newborn photography session hold you back. As a Seattle newborn photographer, I'm here to help you celebrate every stage of your baby's journey, no matter how old they are. Let's work together to create beautiful, lasting memories that you'll cherish for years to come.

What to Expect at Your Newborn Session

As one of the leading Seattle newborn photographers, my goal is to make sure your newborn session is as stress-free and relaxed as possible. After you’ve booked your newborn session, you may be wondering how the day of your session will go. Here’s what it will look like:

When I show up, I’ll ask that you take me on a quick tour of your home. This is to find where the best available light is. In Seattle, we can have lots of dark, gloomy days but I guarantee that there will be good light somewhere in your home. Most of the time, I’ll be looking in the main bedroom, nursery, and living room, but if there’s a good patch of light on your stairs, or in your kitchen, then we’ll likely use that space too.

Once I’ve identified the areas where the photo session will take place, I’ll gently guide you into a natural pose and have you interact with one another so that your images show your love and connection to your new little being. My general workflow (with a lot of flexibility) is whole family, siblings (if there are any), then I’ll have dad take siblings and focus on mom and baby and then baby alone, then mom and dad swap and I’ll photograph dad with baby, lastly, if we can steal a few moments from the siblings, I’ll photograph mom, dad, and baby together. I love to finish with a family portrait on the front porch if possible.

Sessions are entirely baby led so if baby needs a break, a diaper change, needs to feed, needs a swaddle etc, then they will get exactly what they need. While most sessions are done between one to one and a half hours, this will totally depend on your baby and their needs. I will never rush you or your baby.

I do recommend that you dress baby in a plain colored onesie or sleeper and have a swaddle or two on hand in case baby needs it. Try to pick swaddles that are either plain or have a pattern you love since you’ll be looking at your images over and over.

You don’t ever need to feel like you need to look and smile awkwardly for the camera. All you need to do is interact with your family and I’ll take care of the rest.

Before I arrive, you’ll want to make sure you are well fed. Nothing is worse than feeling hungry the whole time. Try to not put on your outfit until right before I arrive. Babies can have blowouts and spit up without much warning. Likewise, it’s a good idea to hold off on getting baby dressed until right before your session too. However, I do recommend dressing them before feeding them just in case they drift off to sleep during the feed so you don’t risk waking them.

I want you to tell me your stories. As a mother of four, I’ve been through lots of the same post partum experiences that you’re likely going through. I’ve had c sections, difficulties breastfeeding, easy recoveries, complications, and extremely rough recoveries. I’ve experienced sleepless nights and exhaustion, sibling rivalries, and self doubt. I’ve questioned myself multiple times when I’ve had to make yet another decision on the care of my children. So although I may be your newborn photographer, I’m also a great listener, sympathizer, and one of your biggest supporters. If you need a listening ear, I’m more than happy to take on that role.

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.

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.

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!

Is Three Weeks Too Old for a Newborn Session? {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Your baby has finally arrived and the last few weeks have been a whirlwind full of love, wonder, and exhaustion. The dust is starting to settle and you suddenly realize that your baby is changing by the day and you never booked a newborn session. You might be wondering if it’s too late. Good news! It’s not!

While I always recommend booking your newborn photography session while you’re still pregnant, the good news is that I am almost always able to squeeze families in last minute. I missed out on newborn photos with my oldest, and almost 12 years later, I still regret it. I would hate that to happen to you. The best part about lifestyle newborn photography is that it doesn’t matter if your baby is 3, 4, or even 5 weeks old. I will photograph them the exact same way as I would photograph a 6 day old. You may find that your baby doesn’t sleep as soundly as they did when they were a tiny newborn, however, I’ve found that the majority of older newborns will fall asleep at some point during the session, If you want to increase the odds of your baby sleeping for some sweet sleepy images, I recommend a tight swaddle and a warm house. You may also find that your baby has developed some baby acne around the month old mark. If that’s the case, I can edit it out, or leave it if you prefer it to be an accurate representation of how they looked at the time. Other than that, I will photograph your baby just the same as I would have if you had booked your session a few weeks earlier. If your baby is already here and you’d like to get a newborn session scheduled, please reach out. I would be honored to photograph your family.

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 Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Those first few days when you welcome your newborn can be hectic. You’re tired, your older kids are adjusting to having a new little baby in the house, you’re getting to know your new little person, and you’re recovering from birth. The last thing I, as your photographer, want to do is put more stress on you by having you leave your home and come to me for your newborn photo session. Here in Seattle, if you have your baby any time other than summer, it’s probably going to be chilly out so there’s no better way to do your photo session than snuggling up with your little family and staying at home.

Children are more comfortable in their own home

If you have older kids, they’re already adjusting to a new sibling. It’s always best to keep them in the environment they already know and love.

You don’t need to take your new baby out in the cold

No need to bundle your precious little baby up and take them out in bad weather during cold and flu season.

Your home is an extension of yourself

That nursery you’ve spent so much time and energy on, let’s use that as the backdrop to your newborn’s photos.

You don’t even need to put on shoes

I don’t know why this is always such a big selling point for me, but I’m always happiest barefoot and I’m sure you are too!

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.