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, home sessions are 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?
Here are 5 reasons why everyone
should have an in-home family photo session:
- 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.
- 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.
- In-home sessions are especially fantastic for newborns and young kids for all the reasons mentioned above.
- 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.
- 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.
But, Carmen…
- 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.
- 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.
- My kids are super hyper. Perfect! In-home sessions can extend to the backyard, front yard, and nearby playgrounds.
- 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.
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!
Still don’t believe me? I’ll let these images and film speak for themselves.
