The Magic of At-Home Portrait Sessions
There is something about a cozy, intimate at-home portrait session that gives me butterflies in my stomach and goosebumps on my arms. They can be so magically sweet as precious moments between mothers, children, fathers, and pets can be so perfectly captured in the safest place for everyone involved. I love at-home portrait sessions!
It’s been enjoyable to see at-home sessions grow in popularity, with both families, couples, and even roommates adopting this trend. There’s no question that this specific photography location concept is attractive to all types of people because of its simplicity and sentimentality.
While not everyone loves to have their home photographed, there can be amazing benefits to doing an at-home session that you may not even realize. But before we dive into the benefits, let’s consider why you might choose to have one.
Why You Should Do an at-Home Photography Session
One of the main reasons for doing an at-home photoshoot is to capture you and your loved ones in your home. For many, your home is your safe space and the place you possibly brought home your first or newest child, your beloved pet(s), where you lived when you were first married, or where your happiest memories occur. Your home holds sentimental value to you and by getting photos taken in it, you can bring that value with you if you happen to move away from that home.
Secondly, at-home photo sessions can be a lot more accommodating for freshly postpartum or new mothers, young children, children with disabilities, and even pets. By keeping the photoshoot location comfortable and familiar, those being photographed can likely have a very positive experience, resulting in beautiful photos.
Lastly, you should consider doing an at-home portrait session because you don’t have to worry about poor weather impacting your photos. You are able to plan for and execute your photoshoot because it will be in your home and not at an off-site location that could incur difficult weather conditions.
Benefits to In-Home Photoshoots
It’s obvious that an at-home photoshoot can carry a lot of value and be accommodating, but these additional benefits should really convince you to set one up ASAP.
Kids feel more relaxed - As previously mentioned, when you have a photographer come and shoot photos in your home, your children don’t have to leave their comfortable home environment. This typically helps them to behave well for the duration of the shoot knowing that when they are excused or no longer needed, they can resume their play or activities right away. Kids definitely require extra effort or incentives when doing off-site photos, so having an at-home shoot can eliminate some of that worry or stress.
Style can be casual and comfortable - The beauty of an at-home photoshoot is definitely the casual nature of the location. You can go for a cozy and intimate style of pictures on a big bed that holds the whole family, or simply the living room sofa that represents the many cherished memories shared. Many areas around your home can be picture-worthy, so don’t hesitate to suggest a corner here or a nook there.
You don’t have to travel - For a postpartum mother or mother of several littles, these are the most beautiful words to hear. While traveling for a photo session can often yield great results, the no-travel option can be equally positive. Having a photographer come to your home will save you, at minimum, the advanced prep time needed to accommodate for traveling.
Snacks at the ready! - There’s no hiding the fact that conducting a photoshoot with children means that you need to have snacks ready for before, during, and after. When you’re shooting at home, snacks are within quick reach and can save a child from getting to antsy at the wrong moment.
Tips for Preparing for an At-Home Photo Session
Many people think that their home has to be spotless, designed professionally, or hardly lived in in order to obtain beautiful in-home photos. This is definitely not the case! Your home should remain looking like your home during an in-home photoshoot, however there are some things you can do to help make your in-home photoshoot a raging success.
Let everyone know that the photographer is coming to the house - It’s important to communicate what is happening and how long the photographer will be there to take photos of your family so that everyone has a clear expectation of what is happening. Especially since the photographer is coming inside to your domain and territory, it’s crucial that everyone understands why this is happening and what the outcome will be.
Prepare for a longer session than normal - At-home sessions usually last longer than an on-site location session because there is generally more space to use. It’s okay to utilize various areas throughout, but note that your photographer may not be as familiar with the layout of your home, so it will take a few minutes extra to find the best areas in terms of lighting, backgrounds, etc.
Do a general tidying of your home beforehand - Notice that this does not read “Hire a professional cleaning crew to come deep clean your home” (although if that is your jam, go for it!) Completing a thorough vacuuming is recommended, along with cleaning off countertops, removing clutter from the floors or corners, and sprucing up any pillows or decorative blankets used on living room furniture. This amount of cleaning should easily give off a clean and comfortable vibe in your photos.
Hide unsightly items - You want your home to feel cozy and like you actually live there, but it's a good idea to unplug and remove chargers, cords, etc. from their outlets because they tend to be distracting in the background of a photo.
In the Home of Missi Paris
I had the beautiful pleasure of photographing stylist and hair salon owner, Missi Paris, with her son recently in their own home. Not only was Missi and her son fun to photograph, but her home was comfortable and inviting, creating the most stunning pictures.
We started in the kitchen with a sink bubble bath which created several playful moments along with laughs, giggles, and bubbles floating in the air.
Next, we moved to the ground where playing with blocks entertained her little one and made for some perfectly quaint and happy photos.
Finally, we took to her bedroom where the cozy scene of reading a book on mom’s bed made the photoshoot quality soar. This sweet moment was touching and simple, yet the light in her son's eyes screamed “I love this!”
Missi snuggled in her sweet babe for a nap and the shoot was wrapped. This was the perfect way to document these precious moments at home.
Missi Paris owns Wild Indi Hair Lounge (the BEST Denver hair salon for hair extensions). Check her and her team out by visiting their website, The Wild Indi Hair Lounge.
Interested in an in-home photoshoot with me? Reach out to discuss your desired photoshoot and availability. I would love to capture the magic of you and your loved ones in your home!
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