In-home lifestyle sessions are special. Home is where you bring your babies home. Its where they grow up and play. Its where holidays and birthdays and special occasions are celebrated. Its where you live as a family and where memories are made! You’re comfortable at home and so are your kids. I am in-home newborn and family lifestyle photographer and there’s just something about shooting in-home that warms my heart. The goal of a lifestyle session is to capture your family in a natural setting with genuine interactions. Some of my favorite pictures from my childhood were candids shot in my home. Its fun to look back and say, “It was so fun building forts with Mom out of those brown couch cushions!” or, “Look at the wallpaper mom and dad had in the bedroom! It’s SO 80s!” or, “Remember when we would make pancakes with Dad on Saturday mornings in that kitchen?” I want to capture those memories for you to cherish forever.

I know that getting yourself and your kids (and husband) fed, showered, and dressed by 9:30 in the morning can be a feat! (Been there! Done that!) But I promise, the end result will be worth it! I’ve put together a list of tips to help you prepare for your in-home session and to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.

• Plan an activity – What do you like to do as a family? For my family sessions, I tell my clients to think of what they enjoy to do together. Do you like to cuddle into a comfy chair and read books to your children? Do the kids love it when you’re down on the floor building Lego towers with them? What about baking cookies in the kitchen? What are some of the things that you do together that you want to look back on and remember? Not only does planning an activity mean that I’ll get to capture those moments for you, but it will also keep the kiddos happy and engaged!
• Keep the mood light and fun – a photo session shouldn’t be stressful. I like to keep my sessions super chill, go with the flow, and fun! Your kids don’t have to sit perfectly and smile, so don’t get mad if they don’t. I want to capture them just as they are. Nothing is more of a fun killer than mom and dad telling you to “Sit down and smile!” Play some of the kid’s favorite Disney tunes or other fun music that you know will put them in a good mood. Put away any electronics and turn off the TV at least 30 minutes before your session to avoid any meltdowns.
• Dress comfortably – more than likely you’ll be playing with your kids in your pictures, so I suggest that you wear something comfortable! You don’t want to be fidgeting with your clothes. Same goes for the kids. If they aren’t comfortable they’re going to be over it, real quick. Need suggestions on what to wear for your session? I’ve put together a blog post with my suggestions on where to shop and clothing tips that you can read here. You can also check out my Pinterest board for inspiration here.
• Clean up the clutter – now, I’m not saying you need to hire a professional cleaning company to deep clean your house or have an interior designer redecorate, but I do suggest that you clear out the clutter. Things like mail, dishes, or piles of shoes or laundry can be distracting in your photographs. Also, you probably don’t want to see those things in your framed pictures or when you’re looking back at your memories 20 years from now. Tidy up a bit and you’ll be good to go!
• Make your beds! – Sorry to sound like Mom, but there’s a high likelihood I’m going to be shooting in your bedrooms, and if the kiddo’s rooms have good light, I will definitely shoot in there too!
• Finishing touches – this isn’t a must, but a vase of fresh flowers on the table adds a nice bit of color and homeyness to your photos. You are investing in family photos that are being taken in your home, so it doesn’t hurt to add a few finishing touches!

Have any questions about your upcoming in-home lifestyle session? Leave me a comment!