Sweet & Natural In-Home Family Session | Springfield, VA

Gabriela Sánchez
Mar 11, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Aug 20, 2022

Ever wonder why we photographers are so obsessed with photos? I can tell you that personally, I like the concept of a moment captured in time. Not just a nicely posed moment, but a real, spontaneous moment. The idea that I can capture a photo of me and my loved one(s) just being ourselves, in a place where we feel comfortable and where we do everyday life holds so much value for me. It's perhaps why I personally recommend that clients choose a location that means something to them - their first date, their first kiss, their proposal spot, and yes, even their home!

This family session was special, because it's one of the few I have had the pleasure of doing in-home, and none other than for my sweet little nephew (who is not so little anymore 😢)! For this session, Baby C. was about 2 months old, and the parents had already settled into a rhythm around naps, feeding, and all other things newborn, which made it a smoother session for all involved! Believe it or not, these photos were taken in about 20-25 minutes, right after Baby C. had woken up from his nap, so happy baby meant a smooth process for us all ☺️!

While in-home sessions can be cozy and beautiful, there are some things to consider before you decide on an in-home session.

1. Lighting

Being indoors means we depend on light coming in from... yup - you guessed it, your windows! For this session, we moved throughout three different rooms, all of which had large enough windows letting plenty of natural light in. For this same reason, I ask my clients to take note, on the weeks leading up to the session, on when the room(s) is brightest on a sunny day. This will help us schedule the session when we are sure that we'll have enough light. As you can see, on this particular day, we had clouds in the sky, but even so, the photos turned out beautiful!

2. Simplicity is Key

A common concern is being preoccupied with your home decor or organization. And yes, I do agree that clutter and things can either make or break your family photo. However, you don't have to wait until your home is finalized with your dream decor and, let's face it - my belief is, if you truly live in your home, it will most likely not be completely spotless at any one moment in time, especially when you've just welcomed a newborn to your home! However, knowing which rooms and specific areas you will use is helpful in getting your home ready for the session. This means you can clear up anything off nightstands, for example, or throw on a fresh set of sheets, and you're set!

3. Relax & Go With The Flow

Remember the reason why you booked this photo session. It's probably to document your new baby at home, or your family just being themselves. You're probably hoping to go back months or years after this moment and see a true reflection of what your daily life was like in the midst of those sleepless nights, in still learning your baby's cues, in feeling the support of your loved one through this challenging yet rewarding time - all within the walls of YOUR home. This should give you the green light to simply relax, and feel comfortable with yourself, in your space and with your loved ones. I encourage my clients to be present in the moment, and let me worry about capturing these moments.

Towards the end of our session, Baby C. was getting sleepy so we transitioned to his nursery, where mom was able to lull him to sleep. You can see some of those precious moments in the following photos: