Tips for the Best Family Photos at Home

Let’s talk about family photos at home. This can either sound just right for you or send you into a spiral of “my home is not aesthetically pleasing” thoughts. I want to stop you right there and tell you, if you are thinking about getting family photos done, doing them in your home is often the most meaningful way to document your family. Your home is your sanctuary, your kids safe space, it’s the frame that holds all your stories together. A place of laughter, tears, and connection. In my opinion, your home is what will make your photos feel like you and be the most reflective of you and your family. 

It's important to remember that you don’t need a perfectly designed home for great photos. I think this is part of the beauty of storytelling photography, is that not everything is going to be perfect. Think about what feels most comfortable to you, your partner, and kids (if you have them!). What activities do you like to do together, where do you connect most when you are home, how do you bond at home. Think of little corners, spots, and main spaces. All those parts of your home that tell different stories of your family. 

Now in saying all this, it doesn’t mean there aren’t things that you can do beforehand to prepare for your photo session at home. 

Here are my tips for planning for your family photos at home!

Look for natural light.

Be mindful of natural light in your home. When does it shine the most, what spots get hit with cool shadows, which rooms have the most natural light. Plan to book your family photos in your home during the hours that the light is shining the brightest! Natural light is optimal for the best skin tones and colours in your images. If there are spots for shadows, this creates a variety in your gallery that makes for unique storytelling. 

Pick your spaces.

Like I said before, think about the spaces in your home. Get creative with spots that you think we could shoot in. These spots can be on the floor, by the windows, on the kitchen counters, honestly anywhere! The most interesting family photos at home are often in the unique corners of your home. Just make sure that there is light and you can fit! Tidy these areas, but no need to go crazy. I understand that you live there, we don’t want sterile vibes, but also not clutter vibes too! 

Activities!

Think about what activities you and your family enjoy doing the most at home. Do you enjoy cooking a big breakfast together, a more intimate board game, chasing each other in the backyard? How do you connect, bond, and spend time together? This will keep your session flowing, and allow space for storytelling to unfold during the session. When you are engaged in something together this is how those “candids” are captured. The best family photos at home are the ones where you are doing what you always do. This also allows children to feel the most comfortable, as if they are just doing their thing. 

Take advantage of outdoor spaces.

Don’t forget that you can always pop out in the backyard or front porch to get more variety in your session. This is great for kids to burn energy if needed, before heading inside to do more cuddly photos. Family photos at home can be so much more than those bed snuggles or couch photos. You can head into the garden, you can turn on the sprinkler, you can make them what you wish! Whatever is going to create the most fun and be comfortable is what’s going to get the best family photos at home! Getting outdoors will help create a soft and flattering lighting and can often give plenty of opportunities for candid moments. 

Dress for comfort & coordination.

My next tip for capturing the best family photos at home is to dress comfortably, while also making sure you and your family are coordinated. Dressing comfortably is very underrated. I say this because in order for your photos to feel authentic and natural, you need to be wearing something that feels natural to you. The best family photos are the ones that you feel the most comfortable and like yourself because this truly shows in the imagery. If you are unsure about how to dress your family in a coordinated way I have tons of tips on how to do this in my Style Guide you can find here. We’re not looking for matchy matchy, however aligned coordination. I want you to think about colours that work well together, different textures, and adding in patterns that compliment each other. Neutral colors are best for creating creamy and smooth skin tones, however it’s important to where something that feels you, so if that’s colour, then you wear colour! Again, I cover styling in depth in my Style Guide, so for more tips take a look at it here!

Plan for some fun & go with the flow!

Lastly, the last tip for the best family photos at home is the plan for some fun & go with the flow! Try to incorporate some fun into your session, this will keep things light hearted, keep everyone laughing, and make for the best family photos at home. Also remember that not everything needs to be perfect! Going with the flow can take the stress off of you and your family members from feeling like you need to have everything go smoothly. Trust your photographer, that they will be able to capture your family in your home and represent you and your season. 

With all these tips in mind I’m confident that you will be able to document your best family photos at home. Family photos can be stressful, but having them at home can make them so much more easy going and really authentically capture you and your loved ones in your element and season of life. Home is where the heart is, so book in your photographer so you can document your family at home!

I was lucky enough to document Lucy and Adam at home and it was the sweetest time together. We were able to get a variety of photos throughout their home, while also ensuring that everyone was comfortable and happy. If this session is something you feel like aligns with you and your family, reach out here and we can plan your next in-home session!