After the fall photo crunch, the weather in the greater Albany area turns quickly. But that doesn’t mean your photo shoot needs to wait until next summer or fall. As your Voorheesville Photographer, I would love nothing more than to come on over to your home and photograph your family indoors. An in-home lifestyle session – photos of your family taken inside your home – can be scheduled year round, even while the weather outside is as cold as can be. You and your crew will be nice and toasty and, most of all, comfortable in your favorite place: home.
If you are reading this with the fear of what it takes to get your home ready for a photo session like this, first and foremost: have no fear. Yes, a lifestyle session in-home takes a bit of preparation, but only a bit.
A little decluttering can go a long way. Remove items from night stands, countertops, and hide those piles of junk mail and laundry mounds for the duration of the session. But DON’T worry about doing a top-to-bottom cleaning. Vacuuming floors isn’t necessary, nor is cleaning your bathroom sinks and toilets. A clear, decluttered surface will go a long way.
We want as much light as possible pouring into your home, but only natural light from outside, or the light from my flash. Lamps and overheads tend to trend yellow, giving the space a touch-too-warm color cast that will not translate well in your photographs. While you’re at it, unplug and hide wires for lamps, as well as the wires from baby monitors and countertop appliances. This will lighten up the space even further, and give a cleaner look to your images.
Yes, I suggest you make your beds but, when doing so, lose the busy comforters and use a neutral, solid blanket or comforter, or simply put a plain white sheet down on the bed. And you don’t have to do this with every bed in the house: the primary bed is a great place to pile up with your family.
For families with newborns, I recommend turning the heat up a bit to keep the house nice and toasty. Since we will be changing the baby a few times and want them to sleep – or at least remain happy and content – through it all, warmer is best. I always like to take a few photos of baby in just a diaper as well, so crank that heat for the session!
I will completely lead the way, but do be prepared to get creative. What does that mean? Everything from being ready to take photos in surprising spots – we’ll hit the laundry room if it has the best light! – to being ready to move things around (yes, including furniture!) to maximize light and composition. Not to worry – I’ll help you move it out of the way, and back to where it belongs before I’m done!
There’s nothing too scary about getting your home ready for an in-home session, and as a Voorheesville photographer, I promise you’ll be in good hands. Intrigued about an in-home session for your upcoming family photos? Send me an email to kickstart the conversation!
Meg Mosher is a Voorheesville Photographer specializing in lifestyle newborn, maternity, and family photography. She lives in Guilderland with her husband, four young children and golden retriever who have all been subjects of her lens for far too long. Meg is now booking 2025 newborn and family sessions. Serving Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Troy and the entire Capital Region. She also services the Hudson Valley. Contact Meg here or email her at meg@megmosher.com to book your session today.