In Home Family Photography in a Dark Home: What to Expect

While we would all love to live in a house filled with windows and natural light, that is just not always the reality. Here in rainy Seattle, light can be an extra challenge. I really encourage families with babies and young children to have their photographs taken at their home and this is one of the concerns I hear time and again. My house is dark. From here, we have options. Here are my favorite two: 1) we can move your session to the studio and 2) we will make it work at your house.

Do you have a window? Great! Let’s do this. All of the photos in this session were taken on an overcast day in a relatively dark home. We utilized two areas in Abbey’s home for photos. The master bedroom bed and window parallel to it, as well as the nursery floor and small window in there. If you have a dark home, here is what to expect:

1. I will arrive and before taking any photos we will walk around your space. I will look at the light and we can decide together on where to focus the picture taking.

2. You will notice I turn off all of the lamps and overhead lights and you might have a moment of terror that it is too dark. Don’t worry! I shoot digital and my camera can handle it!

3. Your photos might have a bit more grain than they would in a bright room. This will probably not even be noticeable to you unless you order larger prints. I love the bit of grit and texture that grain adds, but if it is not for you- let me know! There are solutions.

4. Don’t be surprised if we do a little interior rearranging - in some cases we might move something to sit on into the light or move something out of the way to use the space.

5. Your photos will be lovely with a little drama and a little romance from the added contrast.