in home family photographer dc

Location Ideas for your In Home Family Session | Bethesda Maryland Family Photography

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As a Bethesda, Maryland family photographer that offers in home and outdoor sessions, I love sharing tips to families that will help them prepare for a lifestyle family session.

In this blog post I have written about some areas in your home that we can include for your next in home Bethesda family session.

living room/couch

We started this family session in the living room. Once we got a few everyone-look-at-the-camera shots we moved onto the more fun stuff!

As a parent to my very own young child I know the importance of getting cute photos of the children. These boys have a very strong interest in cars and trucks so naturally we included the toys into the session.

Lifestyle family photography isn’t about forcing everyone to be somewhere they don’t want to be and forcing them to do something they don’t want to do.

The lifestyle family sessions that I offer as a Bethesda family photographer are laid back and it’s understood that we have to be flexible and not have super high expectations for children. When we allow them to lead the activity everyone is happier!

entrance/front door

The front door is another area that I like to use when I’m photographing a family for indoor family session in the Bethesda Maryland area. There’s usually an abundance of natural light which helps to use for the images, while also allowing room to create more dynamic images with shadows.

I love the dramatic image of the little one standing in front of the door!

a window

When I’m photographing families for inhome sessions there are usually some amazing windows that can be used in an interesting way. I told this mama to sit in the window with her youngest so I could focus on her connection with her baby boy. We didn’t want to exclude big brother so we brought him into the photos too.

an area with toys or books

Kids will be kids and it’s important to have an area set up for the child to engage in an activity. This could be a social game like running, playing chase, hide and seek and/or dancing. It could also be a toy area such as a playroom or nook of a family room to embrace play.

We incorporated this special rocking horse and spent some of the session reading books outside to keep the boys interested and engaged.

outside

I knew upon being in this family’s home that we needed to use their sunroom for family photos. We gathered everyone on the floor and got this gem of a photo. Is it perfect? Probably not. Is it silly? You tell me! I love this one. Each family member is making a genuine expression and it helps to tell the story with two young boys.

While we were in the sunroom we took advantage of the time and got some photos of mom & dad and some with the kids.

The very last photo is included here to show really what to expect from a lifestyle family session. It can be chaotic! And I’m totally here for it.

Interested in scheduling your family photos? Send me a message!

Benefits of In Home Family Photography | Washington DC Family Photography

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When you are planning your upcoming family photo session and figuring out all of the details, what comes to your mind when you’re deciding on location?

Do you think of outdoor locations such as this or do you prefer to an in home photo shoot?

Since lifestyle family photography can happen either at your home or within the Washington, DC area the decision is up to your family and what helps to capture and tell your story.

Still thinking about which one is for you?

In this blog post I am sharing some benefits of in home family photography.

  1. Children are comfortable in their natural environment

    Your family will have a great experience being in front of the camera if your children are happy! Your home is a perfect place for family photos because it’s a familiar place with all of your family items.

    One secret that tends to help children relax in front of the camera is that I ask the children to show me around the house. Kids love to show off their rooms! I’ve found that is a nice way to make a child comfortable and they are more likely to engage with family.

  2. In home sessions don’t have to be rescheduled due to weather challenges

    Another benefit of doing the session at your home is not being dependent on the weather. We will use the best pockets of light in your home to tell a story. I also bring a flash at every in home session as a back up option if we are really struggling with light!

    No need to chance the rain, wear big coats and clunky boots, we can stay cozy right at home!

3. Your home is unique

The ways you decorate your home and the colors you use are an indication of your style and what is important to you. I am always looking for color, texture, pattern, and uniqueness and what elements are better than these for your family photos?

Do you have an accent wall and want to show off some art or wallpaper? Let’s use that as a backdrop during your family session!

4. Toys help to tell a story

As you can see in this in home family session, our goal was to take family photos. We started out with portraits of family members and when we noticed the kids wanted a break we were able to move onto something else without the pressure of “performing” in front of the camera!

I loved the Bluey and Bingo play scene (IYKYK) so it absolutely had to be photographed and included in this family’s gallery!

Children are only little once and it’s so important to document these little stages of life.

5. light can be used differently

One of the differences in homes and outdoor settings is that with outdoor settings we are dependent on where the sun is placed, how high or low in the sky, and location. For in home sessions I’m able to use light in a much different way and it tends to lead to a different creative style.

Lighting in home can be bright or can be dynamic and dramatic. It all depends on the home.

If you have a large bay window in your home there is a 99% chance we will take photos in front of it.

6. Kids rooms

The last benefit I wanted to include in this list is the kids rooms! This was one of the girls’ rooms and I was so in love with the blue of the room and how it contrasted with the bed and rainbow blankets.

I loved the idea that the girls brought the toys and it created such a beautiful connection and playful interactions between family members.

Was this helpful for you? As you were reading were you thinking about different areas in your home that would work for your next family session?

3 Reasons to Schedule Family Photos at Home | Maryland Family Photography

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Have you ever been interested in an at home session? I absolutely love them! I get to do in home sessions most often during Lifestyle Newborn sessions, however, it’s not as often that I do in home sessions for family sessions with older children.

This blog post will give you a few reasons to convince you that your home is perfect for a family session!

Here are reasons why you should schedule a session at your home:

  1. you don’t have to pack up the kids, snacks, etc!

    If you have small kids you totally know how long it can take to lay out all the clothes, make sure the kids have recently eaten and had potty breaks. Amiright? Save your self some time and schedule a family photo session at your home, outside!

    When you have a session at home all you have to do is walk outside and find the beauty of your front yard, backyard, side of your house, foliage, sidewalks, the list goes on and on!

2. kids tend to be more comfortable in a familiar setting

When working with young children, we know they can often be a little bit unpredictable. Children are likely to be more comfortable in an area that is familiar to them.

You probably already have a lot of memories playing outside of your home or in the yard and that will make it easier to get your kids to relax during the session!

3. you will see your home with a new perspective!

I’m just as guilty of not thinking there is “anything special” about different corners or small areas in our front yard or backyard until I actually have my camera and lens in hand.

When I am photographing your family, there is intention behind the image and the story and keeping certain elements in or excluding them. One of the things I love about outdoor family sessions at home is showing you a new perspective!