In-Home Family Photography Sessions - Real Concerns and Successes from My Seattle Clients

Seattle In-home Family Sessions - The Experience as Told by My Clients

It is no secret that in-home family sessions are my jam. I love window light, I love the comfort it brings to parents and kids alike. I love that the setting is meaningful and that we can always pop outside or go for a walk for even more variety. There is a magic that comes from in-home sessions that I just adore. However, I know that it is not always easy to envision the end product. You see your house in a completely different way than a photographer would, and under so many different circumstances. So, I took to the streets to directly ask my client’s who have had home sessions what their concerns were, what their reality was, and if they would do it again. And by the streets, I mean texting, emailing, and chatting.

What Questions or concerns did you have about having your family session at home?

"I wondered if there was any prep I needed to do to make sure my house was ready.”

"I was worried that my house was too cluttered and wouldn’t look nice. I couldn’t imagine any spots that would look good in pictures.”

"I was concerned that my house was not white-walled and ‘instagrammable’ enough to produce beautiful photos.”

Why did you end up going for it?

"Chelsea suggested it and I thought I’d give it a try. I still offered that we could go outside to the park if it wasn't nice. : )"

"I wanted memories of our new family in our home so when we look back we remember the details of where we raised our little boy. I don’t typically love my picture being taken so doing it in a place where I’m comfortable also helped. "

"My kids are both shy and wild - I thought that they might be more comfortable and contained in our home."

If you were happy with the outcome, what did you like the most about your in-home photos and experience?

"I couldn’t be happier about how everything turned out! I had hundreds of pictures of my baby and my husband but had very few of me being a mom. This was my first experience seeing myself beautifully captured as a mama. "

"One thing that’s great about doing a shoot at home was that the kids were really comfortable in the space.  They could just be themselves and Chelsea did her magic.  What always impresses me the post about Chelsea is that it feels like you are just hanging out and then she has somehow taken like 100 pictures.  Also I could not believe how good the lighting was in the pictures.  The pictures gave me a new appreciation for my house."

"These photos are so intimate, and so transportive. I look at them and go back to that moment in our lives immediately. Where we liked to cuddle, when we watched the birds through the back windows…At the same time I thought they were wonderful to share on our Christmas card and with our families. Lastly, they really stand on their own as art when hung on my wall."

4) What would you tell a friend who was considering it but on the fence ( I commonly hear things like my house isn't nice enough, it would be weird on a holiday card, but it is so pretty outside.

"I would say go for it! We think that we will remember everything, but the reality is, we don’t. I think back to my wedding, the details of that day would be less clear if I didn’t have a ton of pictures to remind me of how special it was. The pictures get more priceless and special everyday. Even if you think your house is a mess, that’s not what you’ll be looking back on. And even if your place is turned upside down, you’re a parent, shouldn’t it be kind of crazy?! You can look back and see the space that you loved on your little one."

"Chelsea makes magic-she makes the world look so beautiful!"

"Do it! You can always go outside after a bit of shooting in your house. Don’t worry about clutter or perfection, those things never come through in the photos- it’s some kind of miracle."