DMV Photographer Sarah Laughland Photography

So, you want to have an in home photography session, but not sure how to prep for it? Hi, hello, I am here ready to help! 🙂

I’ve got a handful of tips and ideas for preparing your home for a photoshoot that really tells your story and makes use of whatever space you have. Rather than posing newborns and having kids sit politely on the couch, I prefer to capture them in their element. Playing, eating, climbing, sleeping, reaching, rolling, jumping, you name it. If you allow it in your house, let’s capture it!

How In Home Photography Sessions Are Guided

Rather than “posing”, I like to offer “prompts” and cues (dance teacher, it me). I will probably find the best window lighting and place you for some more smiley photos in front of an empty wall. Around that, I’ll place you to get the best lighting, and I’ll go about getting candid photos from there. 

How to Prep Your Home

1. Let’s talk about natural light for a minute. Natural light is the key, babyyyy! When different light sources are mixed, aka window light and an overhead fan light, the result isn’t very pretty. It can make skin tones look bleh, and it’s just best to go with one light source unless we’re getting funky and creative. I’ll ask that all other lights be turned off and we just work from the windows and doors!

2. Cleaning up is obvious, I know, duh, but find the areas with the best natural light and make sure you clear away all clutter. Minimal is best, as it takes away distractions and let’s us photograph you and your people in a lovely, clean backdrop.

3. When we think photography, especially for younger humans, we think “oh no, posing…”, but let’s switch that narrative and think “oh yay, activites!”. For kids, having their favorite activities and snacks on hand can be super helpful. I’ve mentioned this in another one of my posts entitled “6 Tips for Camera Shy Couples“, but in the acting world we are taught to always engage in an action. Action always results in real moments and natural looking photos. It also keeps kids (and adults) from getting bored, which is obviously an added bonus. 

4. Collecting details before I arrive. If you think you might want specific details incorporated or photographed, and you don’t want to forget, collect them beforehand! You can either mention them in our planning discussions or keep them together on a chair or table, so we can easily get to them during your shoot! These can be mementos, memory boxes, shoes or clothing, an RBG bobble head (see below). Literally anything. 

In Home Newborn Photography

For new little humans, make sure they are fed and changed right before I arrive for a happy baby, happy parental kind of situation. For full lifestyle sessions, we will pause as we need because life happens, so don’t stress about that one bit! I fully expect a necessary change of clothes!

If you want them awake, then make sure they nap before, and if you want them peaceful and dreamy, wait until right before I arrive before putting them down for a nap. Having the temperature up a little bit can help as well, so we can get those adorable photos without your bae getting too cold. 

Ideas of Areas Great for Picture Grabbin’:

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