in-home family photography for Knoxville, Maryville, and the surrounding area
The beauty of photographing your family in the place you love best
They say, "home is where your heart is" and as I have moved around the country, and lived in different places in the world, I've definitely found that to be true. However, I've also realized there is great significance to a house that you've made into a home.
The place you bring your babies home to, the home you build, the place you finally settle in as your forever home, the home on new beginnings. Those four walls begin to do more than shelter your most precious ones from the elements, they create a space where your best memories unfold, where laughter is shared, tears are shed and comforted, first steps are taken, and hearts are knit closer together.
This is what your home holds as potential for family photos - Rich significance that goes far beyond a pretty picture... Does this resonate with you the same way it does with me?
Keep reading and I'll answer some commonly asked questions and share some photos along the way to help you picture what this could look like for your family!
One of the biggest concerns I hear is, "But my house isn't nice enough"
I want to address this first, because I understand your concern; but truly... all we need is one good light source, and a whole lot of lovin'!
The beautiful family featured in this post have a dark kitchen, but there was light coming through the window, so we hopped those kiddos up on the counter, dangling their feet in the sink as they looked for birds out the window - They thought it was the coolest thing, and the photos are SO cute!
What do we even do during an in home photo session?
This is such a great question - In home family photos are different from even my outdoor golden hour sessions in the sense that we aren't doing all kinds of prompts and posing the whole time. In home sessions are very child-led and orchestrated around activities.
Think about things that are really special and core to who your family is right now - Making coffee together in the morning, snuggling in bed when the kids wake up in the morning, playing instruments together, playing board games, baking, blowing bubbles, foraging in the backyard with field guides, chasing each other around the house... These are all real examples from families I have worked with, and they each create such beautiful and unique images that feel like your family.
We will talk ahead of time (either via email and your questionnaire, or on the phone) and I will ask questions to get to know your family and what would be most special to you - Then, I will craft the session around your family with prompts and activities that will fill our session time.
"But how will making coffee actually look good in photos? How will we know what to do?" this is where I come in - I don't just tell you, "go make coffee" - I help you find a spot for the coffee pot that is in good light, guide each family member to where they should stand to start out, encourage interactions between you all, and then I capture what is happening, little details, and make adjustments and different groupings as we go (like hopping the kids on the counter to have their feet in the sink!)
What should be wear for in home family pictures?
Styling is something I am passionate about! Firstly, I want everyone to feel comfortable in what they are wearing. If you are wearing a blouse that feels completely foreign to your personality and preferences, you'll hate the photos.
For some women, they want the dramatic gown (like the ones in my client closet!) and it is a special thrill to hear a mom exclaim to her husband, "I feel like a princess!" because that is exactly the type of excitement and confidence I want for you!
Some moms know that the gown vibe is not their thing, and for them, I would never suggest using a gown - Instead, find a top and pair of jeans that you love and feel confident in. We can style the rest of the family around that!
Textures, patterns, and colors can really create a compelling and cohesive outfit styling without everyone matching (avoid everyone matching, bright colors, neons, thin stripes, and logos) neutrals and earth tones, with occasional pops of color are really beautiful. I have an Online Styling Tool (Style and Select) that I subscribe to so that my clients can use it for styling their session. You can send me the ideas that you have, and then I can help with refining it, taking into consideration your home and decor as well as everyone's stage of life and personal preferences.
Something to consider is the vibe of your home - If you have a modern home with tall ceilings and sleek chandeliers, wearing a long flowy boho gown will not generally flow with the atmosphere of your home, light neutrals are a much better fit! Whereas, if your home has warm and vintage decor, a dark brown boho gown might feel more at home.
Does my house need to be clean for lifestyle photos in home?
You don't have to deep clean your house! Where in your home we end up doing the session depends primarily on which rooms have the best light - But some common spots are the living room, a play room or nursery, the kitchen, and the master bedroom. We will talk about this before your session so that you have an idea ahead of time which rooms we will likely be using! Then, in these rooms, you can focus your attention on decluttering (no need to deep clean!) and you certainly don't have to worry about rooms we won't be using for photos.
Moving things like chargers out of outlets and hiding them in drawers, moving extra things off surfaces (if you're like me in the thick of toddlerhood there may be stray diapers around the house that could be put back in the basket with the rest of the diapers. Haha)
I can work strategically around some things but if you know you see something that you would hate to have shown in photos, find a spot to hide it for during your session!
The focus truly isn't going to be on the house like in a magazine, the focus is on the amazing people who make it home.
Life's seasons go way too fast, I love that in home family sessions capture the heart of the family and what life feels like in a specific season. More so than just the people and connection you share, it captures the backdrop and activities - The heartbeat of family life.
If you want outdoor light, golden hour flares, a little more looking at the camera, and don't feel any real desire for your home to be documented - Than an in home session isn't probably what you're looking for in this season. But if you feel yourself relax when you get home, you look around and you find your heart swelling with gratitude for your home that you've made, and you find yourself sentimental over the rhythms and habits of family life right now, this might be exactly what you're hoping for.
I offer in-home family photography throughout the Knoxville and Maryville areas, including Seymour, Alcoa, Friendsville, Farragut, and surrounding East Tennessee communities.
You can view all the pricing details here, book a discovery call with me and we can chat before you book your session, or you can submit an inquiry and we can schedule your session! I can't wait to meet your family!