One of my favorite things to photograph is a lazy-ish Sunday afternoon. This particular session was felt really comforting. It looked a lot like what I think many of our lives look like, just family hanging out together. Just enjoying the time spent together. Because together is enough. 

I was able to photograph a bit of their morning routine, which included a eating a frozen sausage straight from the freezer and the delicious warm pastry, we all know and love, Toaster Strudel. Gosh, I remember getting SO excited when my mom bought these at the store! 

They love Legos and did a friendly guys vs. gals building competition. And of course, the kids showed me all of their pets. Little brother showed me his wiggly tooth too! What better way to spend a rainy, freezing cold Sunday afternoon? 
Warm, inside, hanging out with the people you love- that's what it's all about. 

To schedule your in home Family Storytelling Session, click here to send me a message. I'd love to talk to you about capturing what's important to you. 
Also, if you'd like to learn more about in-home sessions, check out these blogs:
Is an In Home Session Right for You?
What to Expect on Your In Home Session

Honestly, I get it. Scheduling an in-home session can be a bit intimidating.  I'm a wife and a mother. It may shock you to know- my house isn't always perfect. It's not really ever "photo ready". But you know what the crazy thing is? It doesn't matter. Time waits for no one. Every day that passes is one we don't get back. Our lives change every day. Our children grow just a little bit older.  And the truth of it is, this home is where we make our memories. It's where we grow and love and live together. 
And it's not perfect. 
But neither are we. 
So, that makes it kind of perfect, right?

So, here are some answers to questions you may have asked yourself about what it's like to have an in-home session.
What if my home isn't pretty?
I can understand the hesitation, but this is where you live your life. These walls are what hold your memories. It's your home. And you know what they say, right? There's no place like home. And that is true whether it is your first home, a rental, an RV, or your dream home. It's not what it looks like, it's what it feels like. And that's what I'm there to capture. One day you'll look back on it with nostalgia, trust me. 

I'm going to have to spend weeks cleaning. And then the kids are just going to dirty it up again.
Well, that's the cycle of life, isn't it? Ha! I assure you it's nothing I haven't seen before. I'm of the philosophy that if you spend all day cleaning, then you aren't having any fun! I'm not worried about stepping over toys on the floor and in all actuality, one of my favorite things to photograph is how kids leave the spaces they occupied. I call it Found Still Life, I don't know if it has a technical name or not, but I love photographing it. I think it gives incredible insight to the person who was there. It's all part of the story. 
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Isn't it going to be awkward? Standing around pretending the camera isn't there?
I mean, yes, if I took a fly on the wall approach and didn't interact with you at all. Yeah, that'd be totally awkward. 
Luckily, I don't take that approach though. The first several minutes I'm there, I am learning about you, your family, your home, petting the dog, and letting the kids warm up to me- gaining their trust. I approach every scene and every family as if we've been friends for years. I'm talking and interacting with you the entire time. 100% of clients have said it was the most stress-free photography experience they'd ever had- even the toughest of critics! Society and the social media culture has kind of gotten us to think about family photos in only a certain way, but I'm offering you an alternative. A relaxed, no pressure approach that gives you the opportunity to have pictures of what life really looked like for you. 
**side note, I do reserve the last 10 minutes of the session for a loosely posed family portrait. **

What do we even do at our in-home session?
Never fear, friends. I've got that under control too. When you first inquire about a session with me, I send you my Client Welcome Guide. It gives a lot of information about me, about the sessions I offer, pricing, and FAQs. Once you officially book and have signed your contract and paid your retainer fee, you'll get a Session Information and Inspiration Guide to help you thinking about what story you'd like to tell and what memories you'd like to document. What it really boils down to is this: what's important to you? Why do you want these photos?

Are you ready to start telling your story and documenting your memories? I'd love to talk to you and see how I can help you achieve that goal. I want to be a part of this unfolding story. 
Click here to send me a quick message or use the Contact tab above. 
Also, here's a link to one of my favorite in-home sessions to help get your brain and heart on the same page. 
Fam Jam Session in Norfolk, Virginia 

A few weeks ago, I had the absolute honor of traveling up to the Eastern Shore of Virginia to document an afternoon in the life of this sweet family. Every year, they gift a photo session to the grandmother/mother/mother-in-love and I honestly couldn't think of a more perfect gift to give someone I love.
And even better, when I got there, I was instantly welcomed into their lives. 

I love looking at an ordinary scene and making art out of what I see. Our ordinary moments are so beautiful, we only need to look a little closer. 
I immediately was ushered onto a boat for a ride to one of their family's favorite destinations, lovingly named Crab Beach. We searched for crabs and mermaid treasures. 
They enjoyed an afternoon of swimming, playing, riding dirt bikes, and eating delicious food. 

I couldn't help but to be reminded of my own childhood and thinking of my own past experiences (you can read more about what I have to say about on this topic in this blog) . These familial places that hold deep meaning to our families help to shape our life and our memories.  When they think back on their childhood, they will remember the people and the setting- and when these together are combined...it feels a lot like home. 
I hope these images are something this family will treasure. 

To schedule your own Day in the Life Session, please contact me here or by using the Contact tab above. I would love to talk with you about how best to preserve your memories and how I can serve your family. 
Wondering what a Day in the Life Session with me is like? Read this blog post to find some helpful information and maybe answer some of your ponderings.