For me, a family photography session at home is a breath of fresh air. There’s something truly magical about having your family photos taken in the place where your life unfolds—the place that’s uniquely yours. The moments we once imagined before becoming parents—the Sunday morning cuddles, homemade cubby houses, breakfast all together—it may seem chaotic at the time, but looking back, they’re pure magic.
Whether you're a photographer wondering how others do it or a family preparing for your own session, understanding the key elements of lighting, angles, and space can make all the difference. Here’s how I map out my at home sessions.
Preparing for the Session
1. Understanding Natural Light & Timing the Session
Natural light plays a significant role in how the final images will feel, and understanding how it moves through a home is essential for achieving the best results. The direction the home faces determines how sunlight flows through the space at different times of the day:
North-facing homes have soft, even light throughout the day, making them ideal for any day time shooting
East-facing homes bathe in warm light during the morning hours, creating a serene, peaceful atmosphere for those early shoots.
West-facing homes offer a gorgeous glow in the late afternoon and evening, providing dramatic, rich lighting as the sun sets.
For newborn or small children sessions, I love using the soft, delicate light that comes in the early morning hours. It provides a natural, calming feel that works beautifully for capturing those first precious moments.
2. Planning Around the People Involved
Once I understand the light in the home, I take into account the people who will be part of the session. Families with young children or newborns require a bit more consideration around nap times, play schedules, and moods. It’s important to time the session so everyone is well-rested and in the best possible spirits. This is especially important when photographing younger kids who may be easily distracted or overwhelmed by the process. In saying that, as during any session, we go with the flow. My favourite saying for each session is, "the little's lead the way". I work around them, to ensure they're comfortable and enjoying the process.
3. Selecting the Right Gear
In-home sessions often present challenges—like limited space or tricky lighting conditions—but they also offer an incredible opportunity for creative shots. To work in these environments, I rely on my prime lenses, especially the 35mm f/1.4. This lens is my go-to because of its wide aperture, allowing me to shoot in lower light conditions while maintaining crisp focus and depth. With a shallow depth of field, I can isolate moments of connection between family members and create a dreamy, intimate atmosphere.
Additionally, I always prefer using natural light instead of artificial flash during in-home shoots. Flash tends to flatten images and can disrupt the soft, warm vibe we aim for in home photography. I love working with the existing light, whether it’s sunlight streaming through windows or lamps casting a cozy glow. At all times, I avoid overhead lighting, while it may help in the moment, it does not help post-production.
4. Striking a Balance Between Tidy & Lived-In
The beauty of in-home photography lies in its authenticity. Families are most themselves when they’re in their own space, so there’s no need to worry about creating a show-home appearance. While a tidy space can help streamline the look, perfection is not the goal. What I’m looking to capture are the natural, lived-in moments that tell the true story of your family life.
That said, a little decluttering can go a long way. If you are after a neater look, focus on tidying the areas where we’ll be shooting—typically the primary bedroom, kids’ rooms, and main living space. A quick sweep to move distracting items like phone chargers, alarm clocks, laundry baskets, paperwork, or stray water bottles is usually all that’s needed.
5. Communication & Pre-Session Questionnaire
Before each session, I send out a pre-session questionnaire to help me understand the family’s routine, preferences, and vision for the shoot. This ensures I’m fully prepared and can tailor the session to their needs. It’s an essential part of ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and confident in front of the camera. If you’d like to see a sample of the questionnaire, don’t hesitate to ask!
During the Session
6. Creating a Relaxed, Documentary Feel
When I arrive, I want everyone to feel at ease, like we’re just spending a few hours hanging out together rather than focusing on a formal photoshoot. The goal is to create a relaxed environment where natural interactions can take place—whether that’s making breakfast, playing a game, or simply relaxing on the couch.
I aim to capture authentic moments that tell a true story. This may mean letting kids run around freely or parents share quiet moments together without posing for the camera. The goal is to document your life as it is, not how you think it should look.
7. Positioning for the Best Natural Light
Once I’ve settled in, I’ll observe how light moves through the home and where it creates the most flattering effects. I encourage families to gather near windows or doorways, where soft, natural light can enhance their features and bring out the warmth in the room. I avoid using harsh overhead lights, as they can create unflattering shadows and make the space feel less inviting. If a room is dimmer or has less light, I may introduce a small lamp to create an intimate ambiance, but I always prefer to rely on the natural light.
8. Encouraging Movement & Interaction
Documentary-style photography thrives on capturing life as it happens, unscripted and in motion. While I may give subtle prompts, the magic really comes when families interact freely—kids playing together, parents sharing a quiet moment, or everyone relaxing on the couch. These spontaneous moments often result in the most genuine, emotive photos, and I make sure to step back and let things unfold naturally. The less forced the interaction, the more genuine the emotion captured.
9. Framing & Composition
I believe framing is one of the key elements that brings a photograph to life. I use natural elements like doorways, furniture, and windows to frame shots, creating layers and depth that draw the viewer's eye into the image. While I follow principles like the rule of thirds, I’ve always been drawn to symmetry and central framing, creating balance and harmony.
10. Deciding What Spaces to Use and How to Use Them
Every home has its own charm and I love using a variety of spaces to tell a family's story. Some of my favorite locations to use during a home session include:
The Master Bedroom – Perfect for soft, intimate moments. Whether it’s cuddles, reading books together, or jumping on the bed, this space often becomes the heart of the session.
The Living Room – This is where life happens! It’s great for candid shots of the family piled onto the couch.
The Kitchen – Some of my favourite sessions unfold here! Baking cookies, making coffee, or letting little hands stir ingredients.
Kids’ Bedrooms & Playrooms – These spaces reflect children’s personalities and allow for authentic play, laughter, and imagination
Hallways & Staircases – Often overlooked, but fantastic for framing movement and storytelling shots. Kids running down the hall or parents carrying them up the stairs
The Front Door & Backyard – Stepping outside adds another dimension to the session. Each session I will always try and incorporate the front of a home, these are some of my own favourite photos to look back of on my childhood - me in front of all the houses we once lived in.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a photographer preparing for a session or a family getting ready for your own shoot, I hope these tips will help ensure that the experience is as effortless and enjoyable as possible, while producing photos that will be loved for a lifetime.
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