Preparing For Your In-Home Photography Session...5 Tips to Get Hygge with it! (A Client Guide)

hyg·ge

/ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/

noun

a quality of coziness and comfort that creates a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

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Winter is coming and we are getting hygee with more in-home sessions!

Truthfully, these sessions have my heart! I love the meaningful details and storytelling which in-home sessions deliver! All the cuddles and cozy vibes make for the most meaningful photos

Here are just a few of my favourite  tips to make the most of your next in home session …

MAKE SPACE

You will want the space to reflect you & allow the people to really be the main focus. It’s best if your home is clean and tidied. Clear the clutter that may be distracting to the eye and anything you don’t want potentially photographed.

I love to be able the have free reign throughout a home, we typically hang out in 2 to 3 spots - chosen with light and storytelling in mind! ( family room, kitchen, bedroom, window nooks)  Make sure and tuck away things you may not want photographed in the rooms without windows.

Don’t stress too much over this one, your space can be loved and lived in - keep it authentic to you and your family!

LET THE LIGHT IN

Natural light is a photographers dream! It allows for photos to be bright, airy and natural. Maximize light by opening up the windows and blinds and turn off any overhead lights.

Mid-morning is the best time of day for an even pouring of bright light throughout the home.

If your home isn’t bright and airy, that’s ok too! We will find the light and work with it.

WHAT TO WEAR

I want you to think comfort and confidence!

Less formal looks for in-home sessions can feel more genuine. We want to be able to move, run, jump, cuddle and all that good stuff!  Psssst….in my opinion barefoot is best! ( Don’t worry ..I won’t do a close up on Dad’s toes!)

Consider the colours and aesthetic of your space, you can use that as a jumping off point to coordinate outfit ideas. Textures, layers and neutral tones are always a good idea!

What not to wear for your in home session - anything neon, because it reflects off the skin, large logos or character prints. Stiff and formal looks that easily wrinkle or don’t lend to movement. Dress yourself + express yourself! Need more inspiration and direction? I got you! All my clients receive a “What to Wear” guide and my personal feedback!

ACTIVITIES

Plan ahead - include your favourite hobbies and activities that help define the uniqueness of you and your family.

What sparks joy? What is your favourite weekend ritual? Baking in the kitchen, games on the floor, guitar serenades, bedroom dance parties, bath time, fort building….

Pour another coffee (or beverage of your choice). Share your life and the things you love. This is an opportunity to really include your fleeting and timeless traditions.

EXPECTATIONS

My in-home sessions are a mix of lifestyle and documentary moments. You are meant to feel comfort within your natural environment, this allows the natural interactions and candid moments. These sessions are about your deeper connections and interactions. In-home sessions can evoke emotion, nostalgia, feeling safe and seen. I love how these sessions allow me to tell the intimate story of who you are in the home you created.

Who are these sessions for? Everyone! Each chapter has meaning. All stories deserve to be told.

The little things - add ambience with candles or brighten a room with fresh flowers. Bring on beautiful and cozy textiles with pillows and blankets or keep it minimal. Follow your happy!

Ready for a truly authentic in home experience…

10 Tips for Capturing Your Everyday Moments

“The little things?  The little moments?  They aren’t little.”

-John Kabat-Zinn

Nothing puts a time stamp on life quite like parenthood. The days can feel so long, but the years are fleeting. One thing I am most drawn to in photography is the ability to capture the passing moments and preserve them as memories to cherish. It’s amazing to live in a time with the luxury of having cameras so easily accessible. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to seize the opportunity!  These are my expert tips for capturing those memories using your camera or smartphone…

1 - Keep it Candid 

Don’t extract littles from what they are doing.  Watch them and observe or get in there and be involved in their fun and games. Embrace the chaos, the impromptu activities that spark personality and the usual rituals and routine. No need to force a pose to capture a memory. 

2 - Keep it Simple 

The scene doesn't have to be complicated or elaborate to be photo worthy! Watch for the moments that warm your heart or details that pull you in…it's in the eye of the beholder…it's freezing a memory, even if only for you. 

3 - Sweet Details 

Get close to all the little things - band-aids on knees, messy curls, small hands and feet, the little pieces they carry and hold, they all tell a story. Those are the little things we forget in time.  Capturing a photo of these details allows us to remember them forever.

4 - Take a New Perspective 

Don’t be afraid to change your perspective.  Look for negative space to isolate your subject.  This is a photography term meaning having an emphasis on the empty space around the subject, a large section of background. Get low and connect on the level of your subject, try a birds eye view and shoot from above. Get in close and then take an extra step back. 

Watch a scene completely transform from another point of view. This is a great strategy to try in a populated location or tight space. 

5 - Frame It & Add Depth 

Shoot through windows, doors or naturally occurring shapes to frame your subject or shoot through new spaces and objects.  The options for creativity are endless. Ideas: add leaves, flowers, lights or a coloured marker to the outside of your frame and watch for the magic.

6 - Don’t Aim for Perfection

Some moments are fast and fleeting and others you have to patiently wait for.  Some of the best photographs are unplanned and candid. Perfect smiles, hair and clothing are not always our reality…aim to capture the perfectly imperfect. Embrace the chaos!

7 - Use What You Have

The best gear is the gear we have right now. Don’t be discouraged or intimidated to create. Whatever you have; a smartphone, a DSLR, a mirrorless or film camera will do the trick!

8 - Practice

Like all things in life, practice helps us further develop.  The more photos you take, the better your outcome will become over time.  Keep following the moments that light you up!

9 - Let the Little Lead

I love to let the kids take over! Invite them to participate in creative practice. Movement and mess making are favorites in my household. My most unique images come from our truly joy-filled moments.

10 - Get in the Frame

You are part of the story! Have someone else take a turn behind the lens, or get creative with incorporating little pieces that show you were there too (shadows, reflections, holding hands, feet, etc.).

Added Note: Take the photo and, regardless of the outcome you get, be sure you take time to put the camera away and be fully present with the people you love. We don’t have to always carry the pressure or fear of missing a chance to document a moment, we carry the ones that just live in our hearts too. 

I hope these tips help you in capturing your littles as they grow and change. Join the newsletter for more insider tips and client exclusive deals. Just pop your email address into the section at the bottom of this page and don’t miss a beat. 

xo

Kailey