I love outdoor photos, but you only have to look outside on this Thanksgiving weekend to realize that outdoor photos might only last a few minutes with small children. I have had more and more in-home family photo sessions in Cheyenne and Laramie the last few years. Weather in Cheyenne and Laramie is a beast, so obviously indoor sessions this time of year are more feasible. But aside from weather, there are a ton of other reasons an in-home session might be for you, even in warmer months. Here are some other big reasons to have in-home family photos in Cheyenne or Laramie.

Everyone Is Comfortable for In-Home Family Photos

I don't know about you, but if my shoes are off, my comfort level increases exponentially. For children, home is the place they can most be themselves. Their toys are around and they are in their 'safe place.' Kids also love showing off their little treasures. In your home, I can create meaningful images that tell stories about the first 'lovey' that your two-year-old can't live without or a favorite spot your child has in their bedroom. Pets are also so much easier to manage at home, and those relationships between kids and pets are pure magic.

Furthermore, you've already child-proofed your home, and you know the ins and outs of how your child moves in your house. Sometimes, going to a local park or the mountains can be somewhat distracting for really small kids, and parents might spend the time making sure kids aren't running to the next new place or hurting themselves along a trail. In your home, we have a captive audience, and children are often less shy or distracted just because they are in their own space. Parents also might feel a little less stressed.

In-Home Sessions Allow Time for Real Moments to Happen

There is no place on earth that your family interacts more truthfully than in your home. My favorite photos during family sessions are the candid photos of little moments between parents and kids or between siblings. Home is the place that your family is most genuine, and it is the place you learn, grow and play together most. For in-home photos, you can just hang out, read books, or cuddle on the coach. Make a snack in the kitchen, dance to your favorite music in the living room, or finish the puzzle you've been working on. All of your everyday patterns provide numerous opportunities for amazing pictures.

Photos in Your Home Provide Context for Stories

Your home is the place you have chosen, and within it, you've created spaces that reflect who you are as a family. When I look back at photos of my kids in our homes, I remember how the light came into the kitchen in our first house. We had a full play kitchen in our dining room where my daughter played for hours, and I remember how my she used to open up our bedroom drawers and play in our folded clothes as a toddler. I think back on the reflection in our kitchen counter that mirrored her drinking her hot cocoa, and how she used to dance in the sunshine and dust specks in the kitchen created by late afternoon light coming through our screen door.

I cannot think of my girls' first years without the context of our first houses. Now, I look back at old photos of our current house and I remember how much we've changed things as the girls have grown. Out with the bunk beds and in with the teen posters on the wall! For outdoor spaces, play structures and tree houses and sandboxes might eventually be replaced by new decks and different landscaping, but I definitely want to remember how much our children loved them while we had them.

Here are some examples from a recent in-home family photo shoot. Keep reading to the bottom for some quick tips for planning an in-home family session.

Quick Tips for In-Home Photo Session

Don't Stress About Cleaning!

If you're anything like me, you might be thinking, "But my house is a disaster. How could I possibly get it photo-ready?" Your home does not need to look like a staged house in a magazine. In fact, the more your home reflects the actual truth of your family, the more meaningful the photos will be in the coming years. Don't feel like you have to have your home spotless. If you want to have things somewhat picked up and a little less cluttered, that's totally fine, but definitely do not waste time getting things pristine. We will play and drag toys out again, so please don't worry about that. Believe me, I've seen it all, and with two kids and two dogs in my own home, I am definitely not even seeing dirt, dust, or clutter!

All I Need is Window Light

It might seem crazy, but I will likely walk into your house and turn off all overhead and artificial light. Artificial light casts color onto skin, and there is no better light than window light. If your house is super, super dark, I can bring a flash to mimic window light, but generally, natural window light is best. Along that vein, the places we will spend the most time in your home are the places that have windows and natural light. And because I use natural light, we will need to time your session during daylight hours. Indoor sessions allow us a lot more flexibility than outdoor sessions, though, so we don't need to time your session for sunrise or sunset hours. Even if we do a few photos outside, if you have just a touch of shade, we can schedule your shoot closer to midday.

Booking Your In-Home Session

If you're interested in an in-home session, head to my Family Page to reach out and book yours. I offer some limited weekend dates, and if you have the flexibility of weekday availability, my calendar opens up a lot. And please let me know if you have questions about having a session in your home. I offer in-home photo sessions in Cheyenne, Laramie and Fort Collins.