Indoor
Session Prep Guide
I have a love for in-home sessions! They hold a special place in my heart as they allow me to capture the newest addition to your family or just your family in general, right in the cozy embrace of your home, surrounded by parents, siblings, and pets. The remarkable transformations that occur in babies during those initial weeks make these sessions even more precious, and I find great joy in preserving those tender moments within the familiar and comforting backdrop of your own home.
TIME & PLACE
The best time for in-home sessions is typically during daylight hours, especially in the morning (commencing between 9 am and 1 pm for the best light and the cheeriest little one!). Recognizing that scheduling within this timeframe may not always be feasible, especially with larger families or siblings, I am committed to accommodating the most convenient time for your family and little one.
Natural lighting for the win!
I have a strong affinity for natural light and delight in capturing your new addition and family bathed in the gentle glow of your home's natural light! We'll be making the most of your home's inherent luminosity, so don't hesitate to open up those windows.
No natural light? No problem!
Should the natural light prove insufficient (and I completely understand, some homes can be quite dim – even my own!), I'll utilize my flash at a minimal power setting, bouncing it off the ceiling to provide just enough light to illuminate your space.
PREPARING YOUR SPACE
Please make sure the area we’ll be photographing in is cleared and tidied before your session — whether that’s the living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Clearing surfaces like tables, counters, nightstands, and floors helps keep the focus on your family and allows me to photograph from multiple angles.
There’s no need for deep cleaning or perfect styling — just a clean, clutter-free space where we can move easily.
A tidy, clutter-free area helps keep the focus on your family.
Be Prepared FOR YOUR BABY AND/OR CHILDREN
To ensure our session goes smoothly and everyone has a fantastic time with great pictures, here are a few preparations you can make:
For babies:
- Feed, feed, feed: Attempt to feed your little one shortly before the session time. This ensures that your baby has a satisfied belly and is more likely to be content and cooperative with the photos! If you're interested in capturing feeding or nursing moments, we can certainly do this at the start of the session. So, hold off on feeding your baby until I arrive, and we'll prioritize capturing those special feeding/nursing pictures first!
- Crank up the heat! I've discovered that babies are much happier in a warm environment. This ensures that your little one is comfortable during any naked or diaper pictures and is less likely to be upset when changing clothes if the house is kept nice and warm.
- Wondering what to wear? It's entirely your choice! I recommend moms choose their outfits first and then coordinate others' outfits around it. Opt for something comfortable and flowy, allowing freedom for your fresh postpartum body. Adding a light sweater or cardigan over your outfit also works well for photos. As an example, you can see below that a mom chose a floral cardigan paired with a white nursing tank, creating a wonderful and comfortable look as she held her baby on the bed.
For your children:
- Talk to them! Kids like to feel included. Let them know what to expect during the session and prep them for the day - set expectations!
- Skip the bribe. Bribing doesn't always work on kids, instead offer them to include their favorite toys/things --- or even pets in the photos to get them excited!
What to Avoid
For kid(s):
- Whenever possible, avoid clothing with large logos, characters, or graphics, as they can be distracting in photos. For seasonal or themed sessions (like Christmas), these details can work when they’re intentional and coordinated.
- It's essential that their clothing allows for easy movement.
For you and/or spouse:
- Neon colors: Reject the idea of hot pink and lime green.
- Oversized logos: Shirts with large logos can divert attention from your lovely faces. Just decline them.
For everyone:
- Matchy-matchy: While matching outfits may be adorable, they can come across as repetitive and, dare I say, dull. Embracing different colors, patterns, textures, and more is crucial to infuse interest and diversity into your family images.
- Uncomfortable shoes.
- Uncomfortable/itchy clothing material.
- If wear socks, make sure they match!
