7 Tips for Your In Home or Lifestyle Photo Session
I don’t think any type of photoshoot can be more personal than an in home session. In home sessions mean that you’ll get photos taken inside and around your home. You can take a walk around the neighborhood or to the local park to include some outdoor photos as well. The point of these sessions is to capture your life as it is . . . the mundane, the messy, the beautiful and all.
As in home sessions grow in popularity and since they’re one of my favorite sessions to do, I thought I’d put together some tips to answer the questions I often get from clients.
In home sessions are for everybody. I’ve done in home sessions for entire families, even ones where the grandparents were there. Getting photos of grandkids with their grandparents is pretty darn cute. I've done in home sessions that were solo shoots — boudoir sessions are especially popular to do in the comfort of your own home. When I lived alone, I had mine done in my little Old Louisville apartment. I definitely cherish those photos! From newborns to families to solo sessions . . . home photos are for everyone.
I’ve been lucky to be able to do many in home sessions over the years for so many different people in different places, from England to Los Angeles to my home base here in Louisville. Louisville is definitely where I do in home sessions the most, a lot of my wedding couples will include an in home session as a part of their engagement photos.
Think of a few activities that you normally do together. Before the session starts, make a list of things you can do around your home space. This can be making pancakes with the kids, reading together, breastfeeding your newborn, trying to find the cat, playing records, gardening or watering your plants, chasing your dog, or watching Netflix. Seriously, anything goes! And the more you keep it to normal activities you do, the more personal and real the photos will be to look back on.
2. Lighting. Your photographer will probably want to stick to the areas with the best natural window lighting. That being said, if you do want photos of you and your partner cuddling in bed together but it’s super dark in that room, talk to your photographer about the options. They may be able to set up artificial lighting or even setting up something like candles or Christmas lights might be enough.
3. Stick to comfy outfits. This is definitely the time to get cozy for photos — so it’s probably best to stay away from heels or that black cocktail hour dress, unless you really want to! Sticking to more laid back outfits will best fit the vibe of the photos. I’ve even done some where the family wears PJs or if you’re doing a couple or solo session, some sexy photos can be fun! To be clear: cozy doesn’t have to mean frumpy. Take the time to still get ready, coordinate your outfits and put a little makeup on if that’s your thing. I know it can be hard to find time for yourself, especially for new mamas . . . but take that extra time to get ready so that you’re feeling your best.
4. Include your pets. This one is easy because your pets are probably already at your home (or I hope so!). In home sessions are the perfect time to include pets. As a cat owner, I’d never bring all *three* of my cats to the park for photos (ask me how we ended up with three cats sometime - because it definitely wasn’t planned that way). Your pets are more relaxed in their own space and if you’ve got dogs with a lot of energy, a quick walk around the block will help. Getting photos with your pets at home is sooo much easier than coordinating a photo session elsewhere.
5. It’s great for kids, too. When it comes to photos, it’s really hard for kids to just sit there and smile. Doing your photos at home allows them to do activities that are familiar to them (tip 1!) and for them to open up so that your photographer can get those magic candid photos that we all love. The best tip I can give to parents is to let their kids be themselves. They might be crazy, but what kid isn’t crazy and your photographer will appreciate you letting your kids be the wild lil humans that they are!
6. Turn on your favorite music. Having some favorite tunes to dance to or even just to have softly playing in the background makes the experience 10x better. Imagine sipping a cup of tea while getting your boudoir photos taken with Folklore playing from your record player . . . or having a full out dance party with your toddler to “Baby Shark” in the living room. Music helps!
If you follow this tips and focus on just having fun and being cozy, it will help your photographer get those beautiful candid photos. It’s wonderful to have photos from your space to look back on. Kids grow up fast . . . or we move homes and can forget what the past space was like. Having photos to cherish is so valuable. Life moves forward and every stage is lovely in its own way.
If you’re in the Kentucky or Indiana area and would like to book an in home session with me, I would love to do that for you. Just click here to get in touch with me.