When most people think about family photos, they probably picture coordinating outfits, driving to a pretty location, hoping the kids cooperate, and smiling at the camera for an hour straight.
While there’s absolutely a place for traditional family sessions, in-home sessions offer something different for your family. They’re intentionally slower which gives us space to make your photos more personal, playful, and usually a whole lot easier!
One of the things I hear most often after families book an in-home session is: “Wait… I had never even thought about doing photos like this before.”
If we are being honest, most people don’t come to me wanting to take pictures in their home. Rather, they tell me that they want to remember this stage of their life with their kids at these specific ages. Don’t we all? When we talk more about what they want to remember most, so much of it goes right back to their home; the snuggles on the couch, playing board games together, reading books together, playing in the backyard, etc.
First of all… what IS an in-home session?
An in-home session is exactly what it sounds like: your family photographed in your home and the spaces you naturally spend time together. Let’s be clear though, this does NOT mean everyone sits stiffly on the couch for an hour while I awkwardly take pictures.
These sessions are built around movement, interaction, connection, and documenting the things that make your family yours.
Sometimes that looks quiet and cozy, other times it’s loud and chaotic. It’s usually a mix of the two–isn’t that family life?
What kinds of things do we actually DO during a session?
Honestly? Almost anything.
What have other families done?
- Played with Magnatiles
- Read books
- Play in the backyard
- Play at a favorite park
- Pick flowers
- Play tea party
- Play with toys
- Water the garden
- Feed the animals
- Jump on the trampoline
- Ride bikes
- Eat popsicles
- Play basketball
- Draw with chalk
- Play musical instruments
Your session doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s because your family isn’t like anyone else’s.
Before your session, we’ll plan together so you never feel like you’re left wondering what to do. I’ll help guide activities that photograph beautifully while still feeling natural and true to your family.
The goal is not perfection, it’s always connection.
“But my house is messy…”
I know. This is the BIG one.
Please hear me when I say this: You do not need a perfectly clean or perfectly decorated home.
I am not photographing your baseboards or your kitchen cupboards, I am photographing your people.
And practically speaking? We only use the spaces with the best light and the best connection. A small corner of a room is often more than enough. You will be surprised how little of your house is actually showing; it’s not the center of attention.
So, please, for the love, do not clean your house and definitely do not apologize for it not being clean.
What about outfits?
Another reason families love these sessions is because they feel so much less stressful to dress for. There’s no need to spend a day shopping for new outfits. In-home sessions photograph beautifully when you simply look like yourselves.
Comfortable jeans.
Bare feet.
Your favorite oversized sweater.
A twirly dress your daughter refuses to take off.
A baby in pajamas.
Of course I’ll still help guide you with colors and styling so everything photographs cohesively. I always recommend skipping neon shirts or graphics that distract from connection, but overall these sessions are meant to feel relaxed and true to your family.
What kinds of images will we get?
One of my favorite things about in-home sessions is the variety.
We’ll absolutely get the classic everyone-looking-and-smiling image for grandma.
But we’ll also document:
- Tiny details
- Movement
- Laughter
- Snuggles
- Chaos
- Quiet moments
- The in-between things you didn’t even realize you’d want to remember someday.
The final gallery feels less like a photoshoot and more like a visual story of what life felt like in this season. Those are often the images families treasure most years later.
The biggest thing I want you to know
These sessions are not about performing for the camera, it’s about documenting your family as you are right now. The way your family feels in this season.
