July 20, 2019

Three reasons your home is the perfect photo location

A Mum recently asked me about having a half day shoot of family photos at home, capturing their life just as it was. I was thrilled as this is one of my favourite types of photo sessions. However, by the end of the email she seemed to have talked herself out of being photographed at all!

Her concerns?

Her family life is just a bit boring and she wasn’t sure what they’d do for half a day in front of the camera.  Her house is a bit small, a bit dark and not like the sprawling house photos you see of beautifully coordinated families.  She wondered if she needed to find a really fun location at which to have their photos taken instead.

life with boys, football in the garden, family photography, family photos at home, documentary shoot, documentary family photos

If you are also someone who has these concerns about your home as the location for your photo session, I’d like to explain with why I think your home is actually the perfect location for a shoot.

One: Your home is one of the building blocks of your life

You may see a small home, a messy house or a dark house.  I see a familial palace, the building blocks of your life and interesting pockets of light. 

London family photo session, family photos at home, documentary shoot, documentary family photos

If you’re always waiting until you live in that mansion to have your photos taken, that day may never come.  Maybe you think your photos will be better without 6 tonnes of lego in the background, but it won’t be long until your little ones have packed up the toys for good.  Embrace the now (even if that is chaos!)

nappy changing photo, newborn photographer near me, newborn photos at home
Watford newborn photographer, newborn photos at home

Two: Love is what makes a home

The surroundings are the least important part of the photo.  The moments between people make the photo, the background is just the patchwork of your life.

sofa cuddles with mum, st albans photoshoot, photos at home, rainy day

Whether your family is two parents and five kids, a single parent and single kid, a same-sex couple with an adopted kid or any of the million other combos of “family”, love is the one thing unites you all.  What makes a home is the love you have for each other. 

Three: Your home brings out the real moments

Most people feel a bit nervous about stepping out in front of the camera, but most of us are very comfortable in the environment we choose to call home.  This enables you to relax into the photoshoot experience more quickly which just helps with more natural photos.

family photo session, family photos at home, documentary shoot, documentary family photos

If you are considering opting for a more documentary styled shoot then those photos become a really accurate representation of your family in the here and now, which includes your home.  The worry about your daily life being boring is totally unfounded. It’s in the tiny moments of quiet in between the huge activities that the extraordinary ordinary really shines. 

first aid photos, grazed knee, awesome mums, family photos at home, documentary shoot, documentary family photos

In conclusion…

If you’re spending ages obsessing over the perfect location for your family photo session, then try taking a look around your own home.  See  your family photos at home through my eyes; great memories made in a place of immense love and an exact representation of your life as it is currently. You get to just be you and I get to help you preserve this slice of life.  Now, be bold, invest in your family! Let me help you photograph you all in the very perfect location of you home!

family photos at home

About Tori

Hi I’m Tori, welcome to the home of all things happy! Here I reckon you’ll find some of the happiest photos in Hertfordshire…I love being around love so I was made for photography. Your wedding, your family days, your passion projects; they all give me the grins. Anything you want to chat about, I’ve probably seen it so get in touch because I love a good natter. Plus, maybe we’re friends that just haven’t met yet, who knows?!