Preparing Your Home for an In-Home Family Lifestyle Photography Session: Tips and Tricks

As a Seattle family lifestyle photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing precious moments in the comfort of my clients' homes. To ensure a successful and stress-free photography session, it's essential to prepare your home in advance. In this post, we'll explore the importance of preparing your home and provide valuable tips to make your in-home family lifestyle photography session a success.

Why Prepare Your Home?

An in-home photography session is designed to capture the authentic, everyday moments of your family's life. A clutter-free and tidy home allows us to focus on what matters most – your family's love and connection. By preparing your home, you'll:

- Create a relaxing atmosphere, allowing your family to feel comfortable and be themselves

- Showcase your home's natural beauty, adding depth and character to your photographs

- Save time during the session, allowing us to focus on capturing precious moments

Tips for Preparing Your Home

1. Declutter and Tidy Up: Put away toys, books, and any other items that may distract from the photography session. Make sure floors and surfaces are clear, and your home is tidy.

2. Straighten Up: Ensure picture frames are straight, and any decorative items are in their proper place.

3. Make Your Bed: A made bed can make a significant difference in the overall look and feel of your photographs.

4. Remove Clutter from Surfaces: Clear bedside cabinets of phone chargers, glasses, and other personal items.

5. Clean Mirrors and Windows: Sparkling clean mirrors and windows will add a touch of elegance to your photographs.

6. Fix Broken Items: Ensure all windows and doors are in good working condition to avoid any distractions during the session.

7. Turn Off Overhead Lights: Natural light is always preferred, so turn off overhead lights and open shades to let the sunshine in.

By following these simple tips, you'll create a warm and inviting atmosphere, allowing us to capture the authentic beauty of your family's life.

Book Your In-Home Family Lifestyle Photography Session Today!

As a Seattle family lifestyle photographer, I'm dedicated to capturing the love and connection of your family in the comfort of your own home. By preparing your home in advance, we'll create stunning, authentic photographs that will be treasured for a lifetime. Book your session now and let's make some magic happen!

Sunny Days and Warm Moments: Why Summer in Seattle is Perfect for Family Lifestyle Photography

Hey there, lovely families! As a Seattle family lifestyle photographer, I'm thrilled to share why summer is an amazing time to capture your family's love and connection in the Emerald City.

Summer in Seattle means:

Longer days = More golden hour magic!

Warm weather = Outdoor adventures and playful moments!

Lush greenery = Stunning backdrops and picturesque settings!

During the summer months, Seattle transforms into a vibrant and lively city, offering endless opportunities for relaxed and fun family photography sessions. Imagine:

- Lazy days at the beach, building sandcastles and collecting seashells

- Picnics in the park, surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery

- Hiking and exploring, discovering hidden gems and breathtaking views

These carefree summer moments are the perfect setting for authentic, lifestyle photography that captures the true essence of your family's love and connection.

As a family lifestyle photographer in Seattle, my goal is to document your family's story in a way that's both meaningful and beautiful. I'll guide you through a relaxed and enjoyable session, capturing the laughter, snuggles, and memories that make your family unique.

So, let's embrace the beauty of summer in Seattle and create stunning, sun-kissed images that will be treasured for a lifetime!

Book your summer family lifestyle photography session today and let's make some magic happen!

Embracing the Beauty of Family: Including Everyone in Your Newborn Lifestyle Photography Session

As a Seattle newborn photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing the precious moments of many families welcoming their new additions. And I've come to realize that the most beautiful stories are the ones that include everyone – mom, dad, siblings, and even the family pets!

When it comes to newborn lifestyle photography, the focus is on capturing the authentic, everyday moments of your family's life with your new baby. It's not just about posing and props, but about preserving the memories of this special time. And what better way to do that than by including the whole family in the session?

Incorporating everyone into your newborn lifestyle photography session offers a unique opportunity to:

- Showcase the love and connection between family members

- Capture the excitement and curiosity of siblings meeting their new brother or sister

- Document the tender moments of parents bonding with their baby

- Create a beautiful, authentic representation of your family's story

As a newborn lifestyle photographer in Seattle, I strive to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, allowing your family to simply be yourselves. We'll snuggle up on the couch, play with toys, and enjoy quality time together – all while I capture the magic of these moments.

So why not include the whole family in your newborn lifestyle photography session? It's a chance to:

- Create a treasured family heirloom that will be cherished for generations

- Celebrate the love and unity of your family

- Embrace the beauty of this special time, imperfections and all

If you're ready to capture the authentic beauty of your family's story, let's work together to create stunning, heartwarming images that will be treasured for a lifetime. Contact me to learn more and book your session today!

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.

Why Spring is a great time for family photos

It’s no lie that I love indoor photos, but there’s something special about an outdoor session in spring. Spring is a great time for family photos in the Seattle area. The weather is normally starting to warm up, flowers are in bloom, sunset is at a reasonable time, and spring fashion is so fun. Spring sessions are perfect for families, and maternity sessions, and can be booked directly from my website here.

Can you have a newborn session in just one room?

One thing I’ve found after being a newborn photographer in the Seattle area, is that many homes that my clients buy are in need of renovations. It can take years to get your house to the home of your dreams. What I’ve noticed is that when a new baby comes along, the nursery is one of the very first spaces a family will tackle and the rest of the home needs some time to catch up. This doesn’t mean you should not have an in home session, even if only one room is complete. After years of photographing in all sorts of homes in various stages of renovations, I can confidently say that we can do an entire newborn session in one room only, whether that’s the nursery, the main bedroom, or the living room.

Why you should consider having your maternity photos at home

As we all know, the weather can play a major role in your Seattle photo session. With rain that lasts from October to May (or so it seems), a large majority of the year is taken up with bad weather. Many people are now opting for in home newborn and family sessions, but lately, in home maternity sessions are on the rise too.

Your home is the perfect backdrop for your maternity session. During an in home maternity session, we’re been able to include the mother-to-be’s food cravings, pets, and a little more skin that many people are comfortable with in a public place. When your maternity photo session is at home, we can use the nursery that your baby will soon sleep in as the backdrop to some of your photos. This will be so special to show your little one in the future.

As with family and newborn sessions, there is no need to stress about the weather, or stay up to sunset to get that beautiful golden light. In home sessions are best done in the mid morning or afternoon, so if you have other kids, we can book your session around their schedules.

If you’d like an in home maternity session, I would love to work with you. Please contact me or feel free to book online.

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.

What to Expect at a Maternity Photo Session

Are you expecting a new baby and thinking about having a maternity session. As a Seattle area maternity photographer for the last ten years, I’ve photographed a ton of expecting mamas, and here are some tips to ensure your maternity session turns out the way you want it to:

Schedule your maternity session for between 28-36 weeks

The whole point of a maternity session is to show off that bump, so make sure to schedule your session once you’re showing but before you’re too uncomfortable. The general rule of thumb is that a maternity session should take place between 28-36 weeks.

Choose a location that is meaningful to you

Many people opt for an at home maternity session, but I have had a couple of families choose flower fields because they are naming their daughter after a flower. To me, that is such lovely nod to the chosen name.

Wear a dress

Dresses always look best for outdoor maternity sessions. There’s something special about the way they hug the body and blow in the wind. Not sure where to start looking? This one gets praise from everyone I’ve known who has worn it.

Get your hair and make up done

We all know pregnancy causes us to feel not like ourselves. One way you can make yourself feel better is by getting your hair and make up done.

Check for chipped nail polish

This is a tip I give everyone before their session. Chipped nail polish really does show up in your images. Make sure you have freshly painted nails, or no polish at all.

Lastly, relax and trust your photographer

As a maternity photographer, I know how to pose you in the best way to make sure you look as beautiful as the rest of us see you.

If you’re interested in a maternity session, please contact me. I would love to photograph you during this special time in your live.

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.