My Hot Take: You Should Do Family Photos at Your Home
When I was launching my photography business back in 2009, I lived alone in the cutest house in South Pasadena-- I called it The Pink House. I was finding success as a wedding photographer and my extroverted self loved photographing people at a wedding, but really disliked the part of being an entrepreneur where I was by myself in my house during the week for editing and emails.
On those lonely editing days at home, I’d take little breaks and photograph the light in my home. I kept noticing little moments of wonder around me as I felt trapped in my house-- I photographed my dishes drying, the way the light hit my breakfast plate in the morning, and there’s even a photo of wrinkly saran wrap on top of a pie that I still love to this day. In the midst of my mental health spiraling, one thing that helped me stay afloat was my daily practice of using my camera to see beauty in the everyday, normal parts of my life.
That philosophy went on to define my style as an artist and a photographer, and it’s part of what informs my hot take about family photography:
Family photos should be done in the home.
Not at Laguna Beach in matching outfits. Not in the Irvine Great Park, posed in the location you found on Pinterest.
I think you need to do your family photo session in the messy, imperfect, lived-in, beautiful home you’re raising your kids in.
Here’s why.
4 Reasons Why In-Home Family Photoshoots Are the Best
As a family lifestyle photographer in Orange County, I have taken photos of so many newborns, toddlers, and big kids, with most of those sessions happening in my clients’ houses. Here are my top reasons why you should stick to your own four walls for your photo session.
1. Easier Logistics
Every time I leave the house with my two-year-old daughter Violet, I feel like I am packing up my entire life (can anyone relate?). Multiple outfits, all the snacks, hat, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, the potty while we’re still in that potty training mode, stroller for her, stroller for her baby doll (this is not optional, turns out), and Lord help me if I forget the smoothie melts.
Not to mention, she used to cry throughout entire car rides for a pretty good portion of her first year of life and we still struggle with getting into the carseat to this day. We’d both show up miserable to wherever we were going.
Packing up to leave the house with kids is a production you can avoid with an in-home photoshoot. You and your kids will have everything you need for diaper changes, feeds (I remember NEEDING my My Brest Friend pillow or else breastfeeding was so hard), snacks, and clothing changes for the kids.
“She came into our home with curiosity and joy. She embraced our interests and found a way to help us celebrate the quirks that make us love who we are. Our photos show us as our most truthful and beautiful selves.”
You’ll have their favorite books so we can do some cozy reading. You’ll have all their favorite toys for some backyard play photos. You’ll have all the snacks available. Everything you need, right at your fingertips.
2. Comfy Space for Your Family
A lot of kids get camera shy. A lot of adults get camera shy! You might be nervous for your photos and feeling jitters leading up to it. Husbands, especially, can feel stiff in front of the camera.
At home, that barrier gets broken down quicker because everyone is in their comfort zone. Kids want to show me their room and their toys and start acting like themselves in no time.
“Shannon knew exactly what to do so I didn’t have to worry about having it all figured out. We had so much fun and by the end of the morning even my most timid kiddo was happily showing off her favorite gymnastics tricks.”
I bet you’re hoping for natural photos where you look like yourself. Right? The truth is, that's more likely to happen when you’re cuddled up on your own couch than if you’re being posed on a beach surrounded by strangers. That’s what I love so much about being a documentary family photographer-- I get to capture the warmth and joy of your crew in your everyday moments at home.
3. Capture This Exact Phase
You’ll look back on in-home family photos and be able to see the place where you raised your kids. The nursery you decorated, the living room that hosted your play sessions, the kitchen where you prepared his daily PB&Js, the bedroom where you fed her in the middle of the night. Photos of your family in your home will become an heirloom.
“It was in our home, so I think that made us behave more naturally. You didn’t pose us, so we just were how we are, which meant we were more comfortable and we looked more natural, more like us. This was the most fun family photo shoot we’ve done. If you hire Shannon you will be so thankful and happy to have a time capsule of that moment in time with your family.”
When I look at photos I’ve taken of my daughter in our home, they feel exactly like that-- an heirloom. Even though Violet is only two, I don’t think that as a new mom I had a concept of certain seasons ever ending: contact naps and the early days of solid foods being a few examples. The newborn photos I have of her napping on me or with pureed food covering her whole body are so sweet (and hilarious) for me to look back on. I felt like those days would never end!
I hear the same thing from my clients-- photos in the home feel like a time capsule.
4. No Posing Needed
Rather than focus on a list of poses to capture, I focus on entering into your everyday routine with you and celebrating what makes your family unique.
We take pressure off kids to “perform” and smile for the camera, and instead we just focus on you doing your life, and me being there to capture it.
When I’m prepping my clients for a photo session, I ask: What do you like to do together? We’ll capture that.
We’ll plan for a few things to do so you can prep for the day, but there’s tons of flexibility to switch things up. The only thing I won’t do is put you all into stiff poses and make you smile on command.
A Note on Meltdowns
As a mom and the oldest kid of five, I have no issue with tantrums, tears, and the normal ups and downs of a kiddo’s mood. It’s more surprising to me if there isn’t a meltdown, to be honest!
I have more than a few tricks up my sleeve after being a family lifestyle photographer for so long (and a mom of a toddler myself). When I work my magic, moms are always so relieved.
“Shannon has such a warm and calm presence, which really put our kids at ease — especially with their age and typical toddler meltdowns. It felt like we were just hanging out, and the photos she captured are absolutely priceless. They’re not just posed shots; she really got all those little moments that tell the story of our family. We’re so glad we chose this style of photo session — it was the perfect way to capture our real, everyday moments without feeling stiff or forced.”
I was taking photos of a mom and her three-year-old son recently, and he was not happy. The mom wanted to just put a show on her phone for him because that’s typically the only thing that calms him. I asked if I could just try one thing first-- I joked and connected with him, and started showing him the photos as I was taking them. He perked up so quickly, and the TV show idea was quickly forgotten.
The mom was shocked. “No one has ever been able to get my kid to be present like that,” she said. As I write this, my daughter is angrily asking to watch Peppa Pig, so I completely get it-- but I can handle a meltdown. If it happens, it happens, but trust me, we can recover!
Common Fears for Photos in Your Home
My home isn’t cute enough!
Okay first of all, I bet it is-- but second, my clients often have this fear and then can’t picture doing photos any other way.
You might feel like your home isn’t perfect, but trust me that it’s more about an environment where you feel comfortable and therefore more yourself.
If there is a big reason why we can’t use your home, let me know and we can talk about other options. I think you’ll really adore the final result even though it may feel pretty vulnerable.
“Shannon was so relational with me and my kids. She made it easy to just play and be present while she snapped incredible photos of our daily life. I feel like she made my life look like a fairytale.”
I have done sessions at apartments, condos, rented places, starter homes, you name it! Even if your home is a little messy, the photos will turn out beautifully. I won’t shy away from the mess, but I won’t zoom in on it either.
My home is too dark!
Lighting is not a problem. I can work with any lighting environment-- I have been doing this for a long time! As a documentary family photographer, I know how to adjust my camera settings to make your space shine. Plus, I’ll make sure we’re finding the best light as we go throughout our photo session.
What will we do together?
Here are a few activities families commonly do at our lifestyle photo sessions:
Coloring or doing an art project
Playing outside-- chalk, riding scooters, a gymnastics show
Dancing to your favorite songs
Bubbles and chalk in the backyard
Cooking, morning coffee rituals, sharing a snack
Playing with their favorite toys
Cuddling on the couch (honestly some of my favorite photos come from this moment)
Ready to Try an In-Home Photoshoot for Your Fam?
Whether you’ve got a toddler saying the funniest things on the daily (🙋🏻♀️), a newborn who you’re head over heels for, or elementary-age kids with budding passions, I’d love to learn about your crew.
You can check out my full family photo gallery here to see more of the vibes.
Then, book a call with me so we can talk about allll the details. I serve clients in the Orange County area, so if you’re a mom in Fullerton, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, or beyond, let’s chat!