Five Reasons to Book an In-Home Session
Spokane Family Photographer
“How we spend our days, of course, is how we spend our life.” - Annie Dillard
When I think of ‘home’ I am instantly filled with a sense of comfort and peace. It’s where I make my morning Nespresso, snuggle with my two cats, Dewy and Ralph, cozy up in front of the fireplace with a book, share meals with my husband and ultimately spend a majority of life’s best moments. The house that we currently live in is the first home we purchased together and I know that one day we will look back on these days with fond memories, even if being a new first-time homeowner of a 100 year-old house can sometimes drive us crazy. My home is my family’s place of refuge and I know it’s that way for many other people too. For this reason, and a few others that I will list below, I am so excited to share this in-home session Kyla and Ryan booked.
Kyla and Ryan’s in-home session took place after their recent move to Spokane, Washington. Although their home was mostly complete they put in additional time and effort into making this house into one that fit their unique style. It was so fun to capture them in their own space because we were able to move throughout the house highlighting each area that they had so meticulously crafted to be their own (for example, they literally painted every wall in their home themselves- every wall!). This session was made even more special because it was right before Ryan was set to leave for his first deployment, making every capture of their time together even sweeter.
Kyla and Ryan, thank you for welcoming me into your home to capture sweet moments in your beautiful space. Thank you for letting me document the little moments in your life that deserve to be highlighted.
Here’s why I think you should consider an in-home session:
It’s Weatherproof!
The first and most practical reason why you should book an in-home session is because it’s weatherproof! Regardless of what’s going on outside, we can create moments of calm inside. Spokane winters can get cold and windy, summers can be hot and smoky and spring and fall are always running the risk of rain. We don’t have to worry about any of these details when we’re in your home. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful golden hour outdoor session, but if you’re looking for something that requires no backup plan, this is it!
It’s Easier to Incorporate Your Pets
Is it important to you to incorporate your pet into your family photos? Because same! Kyla and Ryn were SO excited to capture some photos with their German Shepherd, Schatzi, during their in-home session. Their sweet pup has some of the most energy I have ever seen in a dog before. Kyla and I were joking the whole session that when it was time to get Schatzi in some of these pictures it was going to be a nightmare because there was no way she was going to sit still. Well, the joke was on us! The moment we incorporated Schatzi into the pictures, she was a perfect angel. It was almost like she knew her photo was being taken and she wanted to show off for the camera. How freaking cute is she?! I can imagine that being in the comfort of her home, without any outside distractions, allowed Schatzi to be her relaxed self.
When you book an in-home session, it’s so easy to incorporate any fur babies you may want in your photos. They are more happy and calm because they are in their own space instead of at a park or trail that may have multiple distractions. Not to mention all their treats and toys are right there and an easy way to bribe them to look at the camera. We spend so much of our day-to-day lives with our pets, why not make sure they can be easily added to the family picture too?
We Can Photograph Your Everyday Activities
Do you and your family have fun rituals you do each week? Hobbies you love? Little things in your home that are special to you? We can photograph all of that! For example, Kyla LOVES flowers. She’s a great gardener and seems to always have fresh flowers somewhere in their home at all times, no matter the season. A fun side note: Kyla told me that when her and Ryan were younger, they competed in a floriculture competition. Ultimately, the time they spent together studying flowers was a big part of how they became best friends, which then turned into a relationship. I think Ryan secretly loves them too ;) We were able to photograph something that was special to them and their story which makes a couples’ session even more memorable.
Ryan is a huge coffee drinker. Kyla always tells me that if Ryan hasn’t had his morning cup of coffee, it’s probably best to not talk to him just yet! The photos of them sharing a cup of coffee together are just another way to capture everyday moments that seem mundane, but in reality are some of the most special.
Whether your family likes to garden together, cook together or shoot basketballs in the driveway together these are the everyday activities that make life FUN and these moments deserve a place in your next photoshoot.
You Are the Most Comfortable at Home
We all get camera shy sometimes. Sometimes it can be even more uncomfortable if other people are around outside. When you are the only ones in your home it allows you to not worry about what’s going on around you. Even if you aren’t used to having your pictures taken, you’ll begin to relax more quickly at home and you won’t experience the awkwardness of feeling that everyone is looking at you at a public park.
Home is Where the Little Things Become the Big Things…Hear Me Out
Have you ever heard the song, “Tuesdays” by Jake Scott? The chorus goes like this:
“I’ve come to know that loves not only the best days
Or the worst days
Love is the Tuesdays”
I feel like this song perfectly encapsulates why in-home sessions are so special. Getting photos done in a beautiful destination is great, but where we spend most of our time deserves some recognition too. It might not feel like it, but the little moments of family dinners, Saturday morning coffee and snuggles on the couch with your family matter. Our everyday routines may seem mundane, but they are the little moments that will make up a lifetime. In 20 years, you will look back on photos of your family hanging out together at home, the chaos and the joy combined, and you will feel that stage of life because you lived that moment every day.
Your House Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect To Be Worthy of In-Home Photos
The amount of natural light that comes in, the quality of your furniture, the decor that “isn’t quite right”- these are all qualities that fade to the background when you look back in gratitude on these days. What matters most is capturing moments of authenticity between you and your loved ones in a space that held this connection and sheltered you through the good and bad days.
And if you are still not convinced…
Bonus Reason #1: If you are looking to book an in-home newborn session, it means you don’t even have to leave your house! You get all the goodness of a newborn session with the comfort and ease of being in yours and baby's own space. Click here to view my portfolio of in-home newborn sessions.
Bonus Reason #2: If you’re a military family, this is a great way to remember your home before you PCS to the next location. We only spend a few years in a location before we have to move to the next. These photos can help serve as a time capsule for your space at a particular base. It’s also a great way to show littles’ where they used to live if they were too young to remember.
If you have questions about how an in-home session would work for your family, reach out to me and we can chat about any concerns you might have.
If you are interested in booking an in-home session, click here to view my pricing and check out what your session would include!
Cheers!
-Meredith, “The Camera Kidd”
