Come and read of the enticing benefits of an alternative space for your family photos this year!

This month, I am excited to be doing an in-home family photoshoot for a very dear friend of mine who recently built her very first home! The memories captured here will tell her future children a tale of the love that lived in their home before their time.

 You may be considering updating your family photos this year and while that is exciting, it can also be daunting to think of the perfect location because there is always so many to choose from especially here in Metro- Columbus, Ohio; however, I’d like to encourage you to consider potentially doing an in-home lifestyle session! There are so many benefits to an in-home photo session that I would like to highlight! First, your home reflects you and your family, your personalities, and what makes your house a home! Using it as the backdrop for your family photos will tell your story even more to future generations.

Next, having your photo session in the comfort of your own home offers a personal and unique experience that’s perfect for families who are looking for a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. You have the unique ability to control the lighting, temperature, and the overall atmosphere to curate the perfect ambiance for your family to feel comfortable during the photoshoot.

Third, you don’t have to go anywhere! This is probably my favorite benefit. If you are anything like me, you are a home body anyway haha. Sometimes, the thought of having to get everyone ready, leave the house, travel to somewhere that is not likely known to you, and have the expectation to arrive on time can be NERVE-WRECKING, especially if you have little ones who are a 50/50 on cooperation! You don’t have to worry about the majority of the aforementioned list and honestly, I have found that children are more likely to feel comfortable and cooperative in the walls of their own home.

If you aren’t already sold, I bet it’s because you have questions or concerns that popped up as you were reading! Over my career, I have had these frequently asked questions come up regarding in-home & lifestyle photo sessions and I wanted to share them with you all in case they were on your mind also.

5 FAQs about in-home lifestyle photo sessions

DO WE HAVE TO CLEAR OUT EVERYTHING FOR THE PHOTOSHOOT?

No, you do not! Having out elements of your home that tell your families story is a good thing. We will just want to ensure that we tidy up areas of clutter. We want your photos to be centered primarily on the family so, piles and piles of old mail will only detract from that goal. The same will go for piles and piles of laundry…and piles and piles of anything. You will want to hide clutter as best you can but, you do not need to do haul everything in your home to a different storage space.

IS THERE A TIME OF DAY THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED?

Nope. You can do an in-home session at any time of the day. You could use the natural light during the day which is ideal but, if that’s not available, your photographer should be able to bring in some studio lighting to take care of that concern!

WHAT ROOMS ARE BEST FOR THESE KINDS OF PHOTOS?

The rooms with the most natural light are the best for an in-home lifestyle session, so it’s likely that we will spend most of our time in those rooms whether it’s the kitchen, front room, or bedroom. I have yet to run into a home that doesn’t at least have one good spot with decent natural light!

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

You can be fancy OR you can be casual. Don’t you just love that? It all depends on the feel that you want in your photos. One thing that I love about an in-home lifestyle session is you can go a lot more casual than you can with outdoor sessions, it’s completely up to you!!

MY HOME IS SMALL, HOW WOULD WE GET GOOD PHOTOS?

Honestly, you would be surprised! The smaller homes are some of my favorites! Those with smaller homes are shockingly way better at storage and organization and usually have less cluttered areas. It’s impressive! Also, smaller homes have more of an intimate and loving vibe. When I’m shooting, my eyes are telling me, “It’s giving serenity, coziness, and a closer kind of love”. You just need to trust your photographer’s eye and creativity here. You might find that the floor of your tiny kitchen or the smaller room with the twin beds is the best place for some of your most amazing memories!