The Secret to At-Home Family Portraits
At-home portraits are very common for lifestyle newborn sessions, but they can also serve as a very unique, sentimental option for all family photos.
When most people think of at-home portraits, their minds are usually full of objections. They believe their home is not aesthetically pleasing enough/clean enough/etc. The idea of cleaning your home in order for photos to be made fills you with dread, you are already busy enough!
But, the thing about at-home photos is that those objections are all myths! Your home does not need to look like it came straight out of southern home and gardens or architectural digest to be perfect for family photos. In fact, having family portraits in your home can be easier, more comfortable, and more sentimental than any family portraits you’ve had made before.
So, without further ado, here are the secrets to at-home family portraits:
Your entire home does not need to be clean for family photos.
Whether it be inside the home or outside the home, the key is picking a few areas with good lighting and strategically cleaning/staging those areas.
For example, if your front porch is picturesque and already decorated with potted plants, you just need to sweep and pick off any dead leaves. If your landscaping in your front, back, or side yard is thriving, why not use it for the perfect backdrop? If your neighborhood has a beautifully landscaped common area or entrance, make the most of it!
As far as inside portraits, just pick an area or two with good lighting, remove clutter, and strategically place or remove furniture that you’d like to be in your portraits.
Another thing to consider about at-home portraits are all the benefits this location affords your family.
At-home portraits are easier because you don’t have to travel to meet for photos. No worrying about traffic or how long it takes to get from point a to point b. All you have to do is get your crew ready and wait on me to arrive!
You have everything you need. Is your hair not cooperating with the humidity? Run inside and give it another dose of hair spray. Have a little one that got mud on his pants? Run in and change them real quick. Don’t worry about forgetting anything, because it’s all right there!
You have more control over the environment for your family photos. You won’t have to worry about an unexpected wedding at your photo location or people photo-bombing your family photos. At your home, you have all the control over the environment when it comes to family photos.
More privacy = more at ease. Nobody feels comfortable when other people decide to use your photo session as their entertainment. At home, you won’t have to worry about any uncomfortable stares or embarrassment during photos. Believe me, your husbands and older children will be grateful! It’s also so much easier for anyone to feel more comfortable and confident in their own space - and that translates to more natural/relaxed smiles on camera.
If you are considering family portraits at your home but feel like you would be more confident with an expert’s opinion, shoot me a text with some photos and we can pick the perfect places for your at-home family portraits!
