I wanted to chat about the beauty (and what to expect) when shooting a family session at your home. I want to start by saying these are my FAVORITE types of family sessions for a million reason, but the first and foremost being that the client is always so much more comfortable in front of the camera unknowingly. This especially goes for my families with toddler aged kids; it is the perfect meeting point because they are used to their space and tend to open up more and faster than if we were somewhere foreign! If you are planning or on the fence about shooting your family photos at home, here are some things to expect!
Timing is not an issue. The beauty of shooting your family photos with me is we are going to take our time. We aren’t rushing to make the kids smile or get that perfect shot, that’s not how I shoot. Over the years I’ve noticed one of the biggest stressors is how fast the session is because then the parents just want the kids/photos to be perfect. Too much pressure! My sessions are anywhere from 1-1.5/2 hours.
More natural + lived in moments rather than posed. I will still guide you, but ultimately we want to capture you all in your element. If the moment calls for a cheesing at the camera shot we will most definitely get it, but the overall vibe is authentic everyday documenting.
If you have a toddler(s) plan to DO something with them for a portion of our time together. Do an activity you typically do together (color, blow bubbles, play on the swing set, etc). This is going to get your toddler excited to be doing something that they love to do and they will forget that I am photographing. This makes for the most special photo ops.
I am going to ease into shooting and build some trust first! I will always let the kids guide me and I usually don’t even pick my camera up for the first 15-20ish minutes. I want to see what they like, the space they love to be in, and how they want to spend their time together. This is super important to me and most definitely adds to my success in family sessions.
Release all expectations (especially if you have toddler(s)). Photos are an investment, you want the session to run smooth, but I promise, I will not leave your house without feeling confident we captured what I know will make you smile in years to come.
My biggest advice – take the photos. <3
