Considering an at home photoshoot? Here are 4 top tips for when you inevitably say, “Arghh, but my house is a mess!”.
There’s always something extra lovely about being asked to do an at home shoot. To be invited into your home and into your family for that period of time. As a portrait photographer, Cornwall & Devon based, I always learn so much about my local families from being in their home. Our house is such an extension of our personality as well as being the place you feel the most comfortable and at ease.
I know that booking an at home shoot can bring a few worries and anxieties, especially around how your home will look on camera. I promise you don’t have to start a huge decluttering project or get the paintbrushes out. The session will be relaxed and laid back, and I want that to include the days leading up to it! So here are a few quick and easy tips to make your home photo-ready with no stress.
1 – Greenery
I love seeing plants and flowers dotted around a home, they make wonderful little pockets of colour which always looks fantastic in photos.
Now, don’t worry, there’s no need to go mad, you definitely don’t need to turn your living room into a jungle! All you need are a few plants in pots, a pretty bouquet of flowers or even some dried stems. I’ve jumped onto the pampas trend so I’d always recommend some pampas grass, it’s so simple to arrange but so effective!
2 – Wall Art
Keeping to the colour theme I love it when homes have paintings, prints, wall hangings, or bold wallpaper adorning their walls. It adds so much personality and colour to your home and I always enjoy seeing how your choice of art is linked to your family’s personality.
Please don’t feel like you have to go out and purchase any new prints or paintings for your photoshoot. It’s just something to think about and don’t be surprised if I ask you if I can see your wall art when I arrive! Although if you’ve been putting off getting any pictures up on your wall then now is the perfect excuse!
3 – Bed Linen
I love love LOVE bed linen! Especially for photoshoots with babies and young children. Simple, plain, or coloured bed linen is just the best. Try and avoid zany patterns if you can, it can distract slightly from the focus of the photo – you and your family!
Bed linen makes for a lovely natural texture and backdrop to your photos. I can lay your baby down on it, get you all to snuggle up together on the bed, or even get your energetic little ones having a bit of a jump around (with your permission of course!)
A bonus tip is to try and choose clothes that complement the colours of your home. I’m always asked what people should wear on a shoot and the simplest answer is always to choose clothes you love and feel comfortable in, that complement the tones you’ll have around you on the shoot and to avoid bright colours, lots of patterns and logos.
4 – Junk Room
I’m definitely not expecting your home to look showhome perfect. I am a Mum myself and understand that time is precious and having a tidy home can be nothing short of miraculous. This is where the junk room comes in! Have a Monica from Friends moment and stick everything you don’t want on show into a room or cupboard. Deal with it another time (or never). I won’t look and I certainly won’t judge you!
So there you have it, my four simple tips to prepare your home from a photo shoot. The main things that I always stress to couples are that you should feel comfortable and relaxed, your home – or the rooms we are using on the shoot – should reflect you and I promise I’m not coming in with high expectations or expecting the perfect home. I know what life is like as a parent. I’ll be looking for light, interesting features and focusing on the love between you all.
Bonus Links – Some of my favourite home & lifestyle Insta accounts for inspiration:
https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhouselooe/
https://www.instagram.com/people.plants/
https://www.instagram.com/ngngdesign/
https://www.instagram.com/nkukulife/
https://www.instagram.com/aliceinscandilandshop/
https://www.instagram.com/haus.life_/
If you’d like to book in a family shoot then I’d love to hear from you. The best part of being a portrait photographer Cornwall & Devon is that I get to explore your favourite spots with you!
