There’s no denying the beauty and appeal of outdoor photo sessions—especially since San Francisco has plenty to offer—but there’s something extraordinary about the warmth and coziness of home reflected in your family pictures and videos. Whether you’re considering having a photo or video/film session, lifestyle family photography at home is a more intimate experience, which makes it all the more special. From candid pictures of your kids playing in their favorite room to capturing the sentimental value of cherished routines, everything about an in-home family photo session is personal and unique.
And you know why I love them? IN-HOME FAMILY PHOTO SESSIONS ARE EASY. Yep. And as parents, don’t we all need a big, fat slice of easy?
5 Reasons Why Every Family Should Have an In-Home Photo Session
1. Zero travel required (and that’s a really big deal)
Not to state the obvious, but home sessions do not require traveling. You simply don’t leave your house. This also means that there are no shoelaces to be tied, jackets to be bundled, diapers and change of clothes to be packed, etc. And if I dare say so, don’t even bother getting dressed! Some of my favorite sessions are done from the comfort of pajamas and bath robes.
2. Weather-proof sessions that work around nap schedules
In-home sessions are not dependent on weather. So we can have a session rain or shine. This is also easy for kiddos who still have mid-day naps (because let’s be real—no one wants photos of a cranky toddler who skipped nap time).
3. Perfect for newborns and young children
In-home sessions are especially fantastic for newborns and young kids for all the reasons mentioned above. When you’re dealing with feeding schedules, diaper changes, and the unpredictability of little ones, staying home is a game-changer.
4. Kids can be 100% themselves in their familiar space
In-home sessions are simple, and kids can be 100% themselves because it’s their familiar. After 9 years of photographing and filming families around the San Francisco Bay Area, I know that the magic isn’t in fancy settings or elaborate activities; it’s in the joy of being together. So, bust out their favorite toys. Upturn the sofa cushions and build a fort. Have a dance party. Bake some cupcakes. This is the intentional time you set aside to be with them. Let the kids have all your attention. Be present and allow for honest and sincere moments to unfold.
5. Sentimental value that lasts generations
An often overlooked benefit of an in-home family photo session is its sentimental value. Cliche as it may be, home truly is where the heart is, and capturing that in photos and video means preserving memories and emotions that will be cherished for generations. Twenty years from now, you’ll look at these images and remember not just what your living room looked like, but how it felt to build block towers on that rug or read bedtime stories in that rocking chair.
What Happens During an In-Home Family Photo Session?
Here’s the beautiful thing about documentary family photography in the Bay Area: there’s no rigid script. We’re not doing stiff, posed portraits (unless you want a few of those, which is totally fine!). Instead, I follow your family through your normal routine—making breakfast, playing in the backyard, reading books, whatever feels natural to you.
I typically suggest incorporating activities your kids already love: baking cookies, playing dress-up, building with LEGOs, or even just lounging on the couch together. The goal is to document real life, not stage a performance. Want to know what questions to ask before booking? I’ve got you covered.
The session flows from room to room based on where the light is beautiful and where your family naturally gravitates. Kitchen? Living room? Nursery? Kids’ playroom? We’ll use whatever spaces feel most authentic to your daily life.
How long Do In-Home Photo Sessions Take?
Most of my in-home family photo sessions last between 1-2 hours. This gives us plenty of time to capture different rooms, activities, and moments without feeling rushed or exhausting the kids (or you!).
For families with very young children or newborns, I’m flexible with timing and happy to work around feeding and nap schedules. Some of my favorite in-home sessions in Alameda have been split into shorter segments throughout the day to accommodate little ones.
The beauty of staying home? If we need to take a break for a snack or diaper change, no problem. We’re not losing golden hour light or racing against park closing times.
But, Carmen…
I hear these concerns all the time, so let me address them:
1. “My house doesn’t look like a two-page spread from Fancy Schmancy Digest.”
Trust me when I say that it doesn’t matter. The beauty of what families see when they first look at their photos is the connection between them; everything else falls away. Your family, not your decor, is the star of the show. And with my keen eye, I’ll know how to take photos that best complement any situation. (I promise I’ve photographed in every style of Bay Area home imaginable—from cramped apartments to sprawling Victorians—and they all look beautiful because the families in them are beautiful.)
2. “My house is a mess.”
Doesn’t matter. Your house does not need to be spotless. I ask you to push all the clutter in the closets or garage. Or my personal favorite is in the shower stall. I also hope it goes without saying that I approach every session free from judgment. I am a mother, too, and I empathize with all aspects of parenting. I’ve photographed homes with toy explosions, unmade beds, and dishes in the sink—and the resulting photos are still stunning because they’re real.
3. “My kids are super hyper.”
Perfect! In-home sessions can extend to the backyard, front yard, and nearby playgrounds. If your kids need to burn off energy, we’ll take it outside. Some of my most magical Pacific Heights sessions have included running around the block or playing in the garden.
4. “We’re boring.”
I promise you that your everyday mundane is anything but boring. This is the life you worked hard to build. As a mom of a teenager, I can promise you that you’ll look back and relish these simpler times at home when you aren’t shuffling between sporting events/piano lessons/birthday parties. The breakfast routine you do on autopilot? That’s the stuff you’ll want to remember.
What Should You Wear for an In-Home Photo Session?
This is one of the best parts: wear whatever feels comfortable and authentic to your family! Pajamas and robes? Absolutely. Coordinated outfits? Sure, if that’s your vibe. Jeans and t-shirts? Perfect. But for the love for all that is holy, please no matching outfits, okay?
My only suggestion is to avoid busy patterns or logos that might date the photos. Otherwise, wear what makes you feel like you. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable enough to relax and be present with your kids.
And honestly? Some of my favorite images have been families in their weekend loungewear—because that’s what real Saturday mornings look like, and there’s something incredibly beautiful about that authenticity.
Ready to Document Your Real Life?
My big takeaway is that even the simplest day can become unforgettable when you’re with the ones you love.
Don’t stress about staging the perfect photos or creating elaborate plans. The best family films and photos are made when you’re just being yourselves because, in the end, it’s not about what you’re doing but who you’re doing it with.
So, invite me over already. I promise you won’t regret it!
Ready to book your in-home session? Let’s have ourselves a chat and create something beautiful together.
Still trying to decide if I’m the right photographer for you? Let me help you figure that out.
Still don’t believe me? I’ll let these images and film speak for themselves.
