How to Prepare Your Home for an In-Home Family Photo Session | Norman, Oklahoma Family Photographer
An in-home session is all about capturing the real, everyday moments in the space where you feel most comfortable. I want to document your family’s love and connection, right there in the heart of your home—which means there’s no need for everything to look picture-perfect! Here are a few simple tips to help you feel prepared without the stress.
Embrace the Real, Not the Perfect
First and foremost, your home does not need to look like a spread in a home decor magazine. This session is about your family, your love, and your connection. If the idea of a spotless house makes you seize up with stress, please take a breath! I’m here to capture your story, not an idealized version of it.
That said, a little tidying can help the focus stay on what matters—your family. Pick up any visible clutter, like piles of laundry, papers, or toys that might distract from the scene. Hide remote controls if we’re shooting in the living room, and maybe tuck away that stack of mail on the counter. These little adjustments help keep the focus on you, without the extra "visual noise."
Prepare for Lighting Magic
Natural light is the secret ingredient to those soft, beautiful tones in lifestyle photography. So, on the day of your session:
Open all curtains and blinds to let as much natural light in as possible.
Turn off all overhead lights. Overhead lights often cast a yellow or harsh tone that competes with the natural light coming in, which can impact the colors in your photos.
If we need an extra lighting boost, don’t worry—I’ll bring my own lighting to add just the right amount. My goal is to keep things looking natural, airy, and warm!
Tips for Newborn Sessions
If we're photographing your new little one, the focus will be on all those beautifully tender moments, like snuggles, feeding, or rocking. Here are a few extra things to consider when we’re welcoming your newborn into the shot:
Create a warm, cozy space. Babies love warmth, so if possible, keep the room a touch warmer than usual. This makes them feel comfortable and helps them relax during the session.
Keep clutter to a minimum, but don’t stress over a few things left out. The beauty of a newborn lifestyle session is in capturing your baby in a real, lived-in home. If you have baby supplies like diapers or a nursing pillow nearby, that’s perfectly fine. Just be mindful of any larger items that might detract from the cozy setting we’re creating.
Choose areas with good natural light, like the nursery, your bedroom, or any other spaces where your family naturally gathers. And just as above, open those blinds and turn off overhead lighting to keep the lighting soft and inviting.
Relax and Enjoy the Moment
The most important thing you can do to prepare is to relax. Don’t let the idea of a “perfect” home take away from the experience of being together and having fun. I’m here to capture the genuine moments and the little details that make your family special, so don’t stress about making everything look just right.
At the end of the day, the love and connection in your family will be what shines through in these photos—not the state of your house. So just enjoy this time with your family, and let me worry about the rest :)
