Why You Should Have An In-Home Family Photo Session: Preserving The Memories You’ll Cherish Forever

I absolutely LOVE in-home family sessions! There’s something so special about capturing your family (and pets too!) in the comfort of your own home. These sessions offer a beautiful glimpse into your everyday life, and the memories they create will last a lifetime. In-home photography is all about preserving those sweet, sometimes fleeting moments that make your family yours—and I can’t wait to help you do that!

Picture your family snuggled up on the couch together eating cookies and chocolate milk. This is a scene I cherish at my own home during the colder months, and it’s one I never want to forget. No matter what your family time at home looks like, I’d love to capture it with an in-home lifestyle photography session—because these everyday moments are the ones that truly tell your family’s story.

What kinds of things can we do during our in-home photo session?

Candids are my jam for in-home sessions! While we’ll absolutely get a few posed shots, the heart of your session is all about capturing those genuine, unposed moments that unfold naturally. Have a special activity you always do together? Let’s capture it! Do your kiddos love playing with legos, a favorite toy, or working on puzzles? Let’s dive in and play! Want to capture some genuine smiles and laughter? A tickle fight on the bed sounds perfect! These authentic moments are what make your story truly yours, and I’m here to make sure we capture all the magic.

We’ll work together to decide on 3-4 activities that feel authentic to your family’s routine. I’ll encourage you to think about what you all enjoy doing together at home on a regular basis, but it’s also fun to mix things up and add something new—something that’ll get the kids excited! Maybe it’s letting them have a small flour fight in the kitchen, jumping off the couch, or even having a dress-up dance party. Anything out of the ordinary is sure to bring out their excitement and create those priceless, spontaneous moments.

If you're having trouble brainstorming ideas, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of some activities I’ve either done during past sessions or always thought would be fun to try during an in-home family session:

• Roughhousing and tickle fights in the living room

• Bath in the kitchen sink (for tiny ones)

• Filling the kitchen sink with bubbles and playing with them.

• Baking something together (a pie, cookies, scones, whatever!)

• Jumping on the bed

• Playing peek-a-boo in the sheets

• Reading a book together

• Building a block tower

• Quick art project

• Cuddling or playing with your child’s favorite toy

• Playing dress-up

• Having a  tea party

• Pillow fight

• Creating a blanket fort

• Playing with family pets

• Dancing in the kitchen

• Making and/or playing with Playdoh

• Eating ice cream or donuts in bed

• Drinking hot cocoa (and maybe squirting the whipped cream into each other’s mouths)

• Small flour fight in the kitchen

• Making chocolate chip pancakes and then eating them at the table

• Playing a quick card or board game

• Kids taking a bubble bath in the master bath

• Decorating cookies

• Jumping contest off the couch

• Painting nails

• Cuddling and playing airplane on the master bed

• Playing with a train set

• Blowing bubbles

• Cuddle on the couch

Including photos in your yard adds an extra layer of variety and natural beauty to your session. Your home’s exterior, especially in the yard or garden, can offer a completely different vibe that complements the cozy, intimate indoor shots. Whether it's capturing your kids running around, playing with the family pet, or simply enjoying the outdoors, these candid moments outside can add a fun, lighthearted touch to your gallery.

Plus, natural light outside is always a win! We can take advantage of direct sunlight or the soft light of a cloudy day to create stunning, vibrant photos. Your yard is an extension of your home—a place where memories are made, and capturing your family in that space brings a sense of depth to your story. Whether it’s a swing set, your garden, or just a quiet corner of your backyard, these outdoor moments help tell the full picture of your family life.

But what if my home isn’t perfect?

No one’s house is (or should be) perfect—especially when you have kids! When choosing locations for your session, think about which rooms in your home get the best light and what activities you’d like to focus on. Then, choose 1-3 rooms that will work well with those factors, and give them a quick tidy-up. But don’t worry about making them spotless to the point where they don’t even look like your home anymore! The goal is to keep things natural and relaxed. And don’t stress—I promise I won’t be checking your closets or peeking under the beds!

What should my family wear?

Dressing for an in-home session is a little different from a regular outdoor family session. The activities you’ve chosen will help guide what you should wear. For example, if you’ve decided to make pancakes, read on the sofa, or enjoy donuts in bed, pajamas could be a perfect fit. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of baking cookies, building a fort, or playing with blocks, casual, comfortable outfits might be the way to go. One of my favorite parts of the process is helping families figure out what to wear, so don’t hesitate to ask for suggestions—I’d love to help you choose outfits that are both practical and picture-perfect!

What time of day is best for an in-home session?

The best time for in-home sessions is during daylight hours, typically in the morning or early afternoon. I know that sometimes this time frame isn’t ideal with little ones or big siblings, but I’m happy to work with whatever time works best for your family.

I absolutely LOVE natural light, and there’s nothing better than capturing your family in the soft, beautiful light that pours into your own home! We’ll embrace your home’s natural light by opening up window blinds, turning off the overhead lights (they tend to cast that orangey glow), and making the most of the natural brightness. I’ll position your family near windows whenever possible to take full advantage of the light streaming in. Even on cloudy or rainy days, you’ll be amazed at how much natural light comes through to create stunning, bright photos!

How long does an in-home session last?

We have up to an hour and a half for in-home sessions, and my biggest advice is to start by thinking about a few ‘must-have’ photos you’d love to capture (yes! We will definitely photograph activities like baking cookies or playing in the backyard!). But, after that, I encourage you to let the session unfold naturally and embrace the candid moments that come up. Some of the best photos I’ve ever taken—and some of my own favorite family memories—are the unplanned ones that just happened. That’s the magic of in-home sessions! I’ll offer guidance and suggestions as needed, but truly, the beauty of these sessions is in the fluidity of capturing real life as it happens in your home.

When should we schedule our in-home family session?

The great news is that in-home family sessions are fantastic year-round! While the time of day will shift with the seasons (remember, I’m all about that beautiful natural light!), we can schedule them anytime that works best for you. Some families love capturing the holiday magic and their festive decor in November/December, but honestly, it’s totally up to you! Whether you want to document cozy winter moments or the fresh energy of spring, these sessions are perfect for any time of year.

Why should I have an in-home family photo session?

An in-home family photo session is more than just pictures—it’s a way to capture the heart of your everyday life in a space where you feel most comfortable and authentic. Your home is where memories are made, from quiet moments on the couch to laughter-filled kitchen adventures. It’s a place that tells your story, and an in-home session allows us to document those beautiful, spontaneous moments that make your family unique.

Plus, it’s stress-free! No need to pack up the kids or worry about the weather; we can focus on the moments that matter most, without the pressure of posing or trying to look “perfect.” Whether you’re baking cookies, playing in the living room, or cuddling up for a movie night, an in-home session brings out the real, unposed magic of your life together.

At the end of the day, it’s about preserving the memories you’ll cherish forever, and an in-home session does just that—capturing the love, the joy, and the everyday moments that make your family’s story so special.

How can I book an in-home family photography session?

I’m so glad you asked!

If you're ready to book a session and you're local to the Shoals area, simply send me a message through my website, and we’ll get everything set up. I can’t wait to capture your family’s special moments!