6 good reasons to have your family photoshoot at home • Maryland family photographer Juliette Fradin

“Hey hon, do you remember when we had to drive for 45 minutes with crazy kids in the back to that random park that we had never seen before?

Hmm…Where was that?”

Is this really what you want to remember from your family photoshoot?

Or rather something like:

“Aha! Remember the markers stains on the wall above Owen’s bed?

Remember that this rose bush in our front yard is the one your mom gave us?

Remember how the kids were still sharing a room?

Remember that awesome coffee table we found on the side?

Remember how you and the kids built those stairs in the backyard with the heavy stones?”

Home is a nest, a safe place where you come back after a long day. I love taking photographs of families at home for several reasons:

In-home sessions are stress free.
You won’t be late: I am the one coming to you. And if you, or the kids are not totally ready yet, no problem. I love to shoot “getting ready” moments. These sessions are perfect to slow down and just be in the moment with your loved ones doing the things you usually do together.
They require no travels.
You don't have to worry about traffic or parking or having just enough time to not miss your session. This is especially nice with newborns (and for the earth as there is only 1 car on the road!).
Your home doesn’t have to be pinterest-y or spotless.
I definitely suggest decluttering a little bit, picking up the toys and doing a quick vacuum cleaning (but not as if your MIL was coming). Again, I won’t judge and you’ll have beautiful photos no matter what. Also, you cannot really see dirt in photographs (and dirty windows are the best to shoot through).
Having a photo session at home is perfect for the kids…
… the rambunctious or quiet ones who might need more time to warm up. After a few minutes, they will be their true selves again and you’ll be able to relax. And I will take the best photos ever. They will happily give me a tour of the house and show me all the things and places they love.
Your ORDINARY place is a SPECIAL place. You will have a visual diary of your family’s story.
Something you can go back to when the kids will have left the nest, a legacy in pictures that will give them a sense of belonging. They/ you will remember forever the beds they used to build a fort from, or where they took their first steps, the tree they climbed as high as possible to get their snacks on, the little cups he.she used to drink from… Those little things might not be seen as important today but they will strike conversation in 2, 10, 20… years from now.
Snacks and bathroom breaks are easy!
Snacks are within arms’ reach if needed and toilets shouldn’t be too far either. And if anyone need a quick outfit change it will take just a few minutes! Easy.