MOTHERHOOD SESSIONS: HOW TO PREP YOUR HOME

Less is more! We want the focus to be on you and your littles! Hide away all of the knickknacks and toys (or if you’re like me, cram all of the things in the drawers or the basement!) Make sure your bedroom is nicely made, this is a great spot for pictures! Be sure to let me know if you have any special memory spots you’d like to have me capture some photos in. (Mine is my stairway because that’s where I used to feed my daughter in the middle of the night.)

First, why your home?

I absolutely love doing my motherhood session in your home for several reasons. This is where the “magic” (aka Love) happens. Home is where you are raising your littles to be the best little humans possible before they step out into the world. It’s a very important and meaningful place.

Your home is also a safe place. You and your chilren (and fur babies) feel comfortable here. Your family can be relaxed and the familiar surroundings genuinely make for the most precious, everyday moments. Your memories are here!

As important, your home has personality too. From the design and decor of your home to your favorite books and latest photos framed on the wall, your space tells me more about who you are and who your family is and what is important to you. And I want to capture that too.

Preparing your home for your photo session.

Take a deep breath. Before going on a mass tidying and cleaning session, let’s talk. Let’s talk about what is important to you, your wardrobe, and everything else. Then let’s talk about your living space. It doesn’t matter if it’s small or large, messy or clean, updated or not. We’ll decide which rooms we will mostly be shooting in for the session. These are the rooms you will want to focus on – not the entire home!

It doesn’t have to be perfect. As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as perfect. And your house, condo, or apartment isn’t either. So just let it go. I want your house to look lived in and loved, like a real family hangs out here. To me, all of this tells a bit of a story. And it is my job to tell your story through my eyes, so if there’s a bit too much clutter then I’ll help you move it, or I’ll change angles so it won’t show up in the photos.

Let’s find that natural light when possible.

Lamps on, recessed lighting off. Recessed lighting creates weird shadows on faces and gives skin a yellow tint, so turn them all off. Lamps, however, are cozy and give warmth to a room, so you may have them on. We’ll look for spaces that have beautiful natural lighting for the best shots. Open window shades in the rooms we will shoot in. And don’t worry – if you feel like your home or apartment is too dark, we’ll find ways to seek out that natural light and I will use a flash to get some very natural and moody looks.

We may move furniture around.

Many times I move furniture based on the light in your space or to make a pleasing composition. For example, moving a coffee table so it doesn’t chop your legs off in a photo.

Let’s break some rules.

For toddlers and older children, I’ll most likely ask you if they can do certain things they normally may not be allowed to do, like stand on a table or the kitchen counter, jump on the sofa or bed, or sit on a windowsill. I will always ask you in private first if it is okay. If it is not okay, don’t hesitate to tell me so!

Be prepared to snuggle!

I love to end sessions by having you and your children snuggle all together on a bed. Typically the best bed is your bed – the biggest one! It is helpful to have clothes and other items cleared off the bed before. If you have a neutral and simple bedspread or duvet, put that on top with some neutral pillows as well.

Fur Babies make for special photo memories.

Your other little(s), the four-legged ones, will most likely be very curious about what we’re doing and most likely will want to get in on the fun! I love it! They are part of the family, so let’s get them in the photos. Just have some treats handy!

Relax, have fun and enjoy the session!

The session really is a little journey we go on together. I will direct you on where to be, how to sit and what to do. If we need to move stuff or tweak a few things in your rooms, we’ll do it together! I’m up front and will tell you what’s working and what’s not. Enjoy the process and enjoy having a fun, relaxing time with your family and I’ll do the rest!

El and Em Photography is located in Troy, MI and specializes in maternity, newborn, motherhood, milestone and family photography. My tiny clients come to my home studio for their sessions from all over the metro Detroit area including: Rochester, Troy, Birmingham, Detroit, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Clawson, Bloomfield, Oak Park, Sterling Heights, Madison Heights, Warren, Southfield, Auburn Hills and more. Michigan Motherhood Photographer.