One of my long-term goals is to have my own studio, but I do very much enjoy going to a client's home to do sessions in the meantime. The moment I walk in the door of someone's home, I get a good impression of who they are "in real life". We tend to create a space that reflects our personalities in our homes, from the colors we choose to decorate in, to the style of our furniture, to the art and photographs that hang on our walls. People tend to be more comfortable in their own surroundings as well, making it much easier to get them to relax and get natural shots.
I was lucky enough to visit some clients who recently had their second baby and wanted some photos of the baby girl and some sibling shots with her big brother. After moving some "baby stuff" around in the living room, I got a few images of baby Torah next to a window and then brought in big brother Aiden (with a little coaxing involving M&Ms, a very important tool in the photographer's arsenal). We then moved upstairs so Aiden could show me his big boy bedroom, as well as get some photos of Torah in her sweet nursery that her mama worked so hard to put together.
Of course, part of the beauty of doing an at-home session is that you get real life moments. People, especially children, don't always look perfectly put-together and posed and smiley. That's something I truly love about my job - I make it a point to capture real memories as well as those greeting-card-ready portraits.
We got Aiden to sit on the bed with his baby sister, and I was hoping for one of those "awwwwww" moments you sometimes get when an older sibling gives the new baby a kiss on the cheek. But, being real life, little Torah decided to cry instead, prompting quite the concerned look from big brother. And even though it wasn't the shot I had planned in my head, I still love how true and real it is.
I always go back to these images, both in photos I take for clients and shots I do at home, and they are more often than not my favorites. I love that, years from now, someone can look at these photos and know exactly what life was like in that moment for that family. As adorable as a baby is all pink and smiling and dressed up in a perfectly coordinating outfit - and believe me, I am all for those photos as well - it is these candid images that pull at my heart and keep me loving what I do.
Most especially, I love catching shots like this next one of baby Torah's tiny little feet. Babies really do grow so quickly, and it is the little details you want to treasure. Plus, there's just something about baby toes. I just love them!
If you love these types of images as much as I do, don't forget to
book a Lifestyle session with me during the month of April for a special deal!
