dear you,
Does the thought of getting everyone dressed, bags packed, loaded into the car and to a session somewhere else on time and all smiles stress you out? Me too.
That’s where I come in. No need to get hair and makeup professionally done, buy new matching clothes, or make the kiddos sit still and pose (that sounds stressful just typing it). I’ll help you plan for the perfect in-home lifestyle family session with what you already have. And hell, you don’t even have to leave the house if you don’t want to.
If you are unsure if an in-home family session is for you, read on to get some of your questions answered!
“But my home is dark, and not Pinterest-worthy!” Neither is mine. And it honestly doesn’t matter.
Your home is your home. It’s the place your children are being raised. It’s where the game nights happen and the tears fall. It’s where the cuddles and tickles and giggles happen. Even if it isn’t “Pinterest-worthy” it is “raise your family in it-worthy” so why wouldn’t it be worthy of being the backdrop to your session? I believe photos should be a reflection of true and honest life.
“Do I need to clean before the session?”
Not necessarily. It may be helpful to straighten up some high points that everyone may be on together, such as the bed or couch, but the rest is fine. Two reasons I say not to stress it; the first is that (and hear me out) the mess is part of your story, too. The bottles on the counter, the endless puzzles on the floor, the laundry baskets full of things needing to folded from weeks ago. You are doing a HUGE job right now (you know, being a kick-ass parent), and all of this is just part of the journey. Second, if I see some things that need to move or get tidied up, I will do it. It’s so much easier to just slide some things to the side for the shot than for you to stress about making it all perfect before I come.
“Do I have enough light?”
My follow up question would be do you have at least one window in your home that is accessible. If the answer is yes then we can make some magic. I once did an entire session in a bedroom with one accessible window (peep that session below!). While most of the session was done in that corner of the room by the window, it was absolutely stunning and worked out perfect. So more than likely the answer will be yes, you have enough light, but if you are still worried I will have you text me some photos of your home before the session and I can give you more specifics on where the awesome spots are.
“What should I wear?”
After you book, I will send you a welcome guide that talks more about styling and ideas for what to wear. For in-home sessions, my biggest tip is to look natural and comfortable, though. It can look a little off wearing super formal clothing to cuddle up on the couch. I usually recommend that you coordinate with you family, not match. This means rather than everyone wearing white shirts and jeans, you all wear different colors or shades that compliment each other. Neutrals, jewel tones, something along those lines. (Don’t worry, I include some color family palettes in the guide!) Biggest takeaway; simple is best. During a motherhood session, one mama wore a cream sweater with some lounge shorts and baby just wore his shorts. It really allowed the moments to shine through.
In-home family sessions are something magical. More comfortable, relaxed, real, and raw than normal family sessions. Your kids feel more themselves than when they are wearing a bowtie and dresses and taken to a fancy park they aren’t allowed to play at. Can on-location, more formal family sessions be beautiful? Absolutely. And they can even capture your connection with each other amazingly. But it just isn’t the same as being in your little bubble of the world; your home.
For more tips, answers to your questions, or to book, contact me here!
love, elizabeth