How to Prepare for a Family Session in-home: A Step-by-Step Guide for Growing Families

Family photos are more than just pictures—they're memories frozen in time, capturing the love, laughter, and little moments that make your family unique. But let’s be real—getting everyone dressed, ready, and comfortable for photos can feel like a challenge. The good news? With a little preparation, your in-home family session can be stress-free and even fun! Whether you're a military family stationed in Las Vegas or a growing family preparing for maternity or newborn photos, here’s your step-by-step guide to making the most of your session.

Step 1: Choose the Right Time

Timing is everything! If you have little ones, consider scheduling your session around their happiest time of day (usually after naps and meals). Morning sessions often work well for in-home shoots, as natural light is abundant and kids are usually more cooperative. If you're a military family adjusting to a new time zone, give everyone time to settle before scheduling your session.

Step 2: Prepare Your Home

One of the best parts of an in-home session is that it takes place in your family’s most comfortable space. No need for a spotless house—just a little tidying in the main photo areas goes a long way! Focus on decluttering spaces like the living room, master bedroom, and nursery while keeping cozy details like blankets and personal touches in place to make your photos feel authentic. Open up blinds and curtains to maximize natural light. If it's summer, choosing a morning time can help beat the heat and save some a/c! If it's winter, you might want to keep the house around 72* or warmer if we're doing any solo pics of a newborn.

Step 3: Pick Outfits with Comfort in Mind

Coordinating your family’s outfits (without being too matchy-matchy) helps create a cohesive look. Stick to neutral tones, soft colors, or earth tones, and avoid big logos or busy patterns. Flowy dresses, cozy knits, and barefoot moments can enhance the intimate feel of an in-home session. If you're planning a maternity or newborn session in Las Vegas, lightweight fabrics can help you stay comfortable in warmer temperatures.

Step 4: Prep the Kids (and Partners!)

Hype up the session as a fun experience rather than something they have to do. Let kids know they’ll get to play, snuggle, and just be themselves. Partners sometimes need a little encouragement too—remind them how much these memories will mean down the road. Military families often experience frequent moves, so capturing these moments in your home makes them even more special before the next transition.

Step 5: Gather Meaningful Items

In-home sessions allow you to incorporate sentimental items that tell your family’s story. Consider having:

Favorite Books or Toys – Perfect for capturing candid interactions
Cozy Blankets – Adds warmth to snuggle shots
Special Heirlooms – Something passed down that makes the moment even more meaningful
Nursery or Family Keepsakes – Especially great for newborn and maternity sessions

Step 6: Trust the Process

Kids will be kids—sometimes they’ll cooperate, sometimes they won’t. That’s okay! Some of the best photos come from the in-between moments of laughter, cuddles, and play. Don’t stress if everything doesn’t go “perfectly”—I’ll capture the beauty in the chaos. Whether it’s a newborn snuggling into mama’s chest, a maternity session celebrating new life, or a military family enjoying quiet moments at home, the real moments are the ones you'll treasure forever.

Step 7: Enjoy the Experience

This is your time to connect as a family. Hug, laugh, play, and be yourselves! In-home sessions offer a relaxed, intimate feel that allows for genuine emotions and storytelling. Whether you’re cuddling on the couch, baking cookies in the kitchen, or playing in the nursery, your home is the perfect backdrop for your family's memories.

Ready to Book Your Las Vegas In-Home Family Session?

Whether you're a military family wanting to document this chapter, an expectant mom looking for a maternity session, or welcoming a newborn into the world, I’m here to capture your story in the place that means the most—your home. Let’s create something beautiful together! Reach out [here] to book your Las Vegas in-home photography session today.