I walk around my home, viewing its safe walls. Its cozy interior. Its warm and inviting decor.
But at the same time I notice the little flaws. The kids left their shoes, coats, and backpacks all over the place. No one put their books back and they’re piled high on the coffee and end tables. Dishes clutter the sink and counters. School papers are everywhere. The small holes we patched in the walls over a year ago, including the one in the remodeled kitchen ceiling from four years ago, still aren’t repainted. The backyard is a disaster that we’ve desperately been trying fix since moving in back in 2013.
My house is small. It’s cramped with six people and all their belongings. And the lighting isn’t great 90% of the time. It’s always a disaster!
Don’t Be Scared
I’m sure these types of things are at the forefront of your mind when you’re considering documentary family photography. You’re allowing me into your personal space and you might be feeling vulnerable. Don’t! I have a family too and I’m constantly working around mess and imperfection. That’s the beauty of our time together. I’m not going to bat an eye if your kitchen is a mess. I’m not going to think twice if there are toys covering every inch of your home. Dog bed in the middle of the floor? Me too! This is your life and I want to embrace it with you.
A Home History
How long has it taken you to get your home just the way you want it? Maybe, like our family, you’ve been working yearly to update and revamp your house. Wouldn’t it be fun to see those changes in your yearly family images? We love looking back at what our home looked like when we first purchased it, and how it is now. It’s a great reminder that beauty can come from anything! It also helps us to be thankful for what we have. Our homes are an extension of who we are and I can’t think of a better place to photograph your family than in a place that is special and meaningful to everyone who lives there.
Trust Me
You might be thinking your house doesn’t have enough light or space for photographs. That the photographs won’t turn out well. Let me ask you this. Do you trust me? I’ve been working as a photographer for a long time. I’ve educated myself for years on how to make the best use of all lighting situations and I know I can make that education work for you. Lighting and space in your home is not something that should keep you from doing this. I’m a professional and I know how to work with what I’m given, so don’t let that hold you back! We can take pictures at your home at any time of day and make them look beautiful.
Consider An Outing
I don’t want you to feel stuck to only documenting your family at home. Especially if you’re investing in Year In the Life sessions. With documentary family photography the sky is truly the limit! Consider documenting things you do regularly as a family outside of your home too. Perhaps you like to take a walk with the dog through the neighborhood together, or visit the park down the street. How fun would it be to meet at a grandparent’s home when you visit to get the grandkids and grandparents playing together? And don’t forget your own backyard. My family spends a lot of time outside in our backyard during the summer just kicking the soccer ball around or working in the garden.
Don’t let your fear of taking pictures in your own home hold you back. Your home is an extension of you and it should be showcased in your documentary family images. Your family photos certainly won’t look like anyone else’s because they will be special and unique to you alone! These images aren’t about what other’s see anyway, they’re about chronicling your special family time together.