4 Activities for At Home Family Photo Sessions

At-home sessions are my favorite way to photograph a family – as the beautiful, silly, simple moments of your story naturally unfold. As a mom of two and family photographer for 10 years, I believe that you should not only have photos of your children but with your children. But you may be wondering how to have that captured naturally. There are many ways to connect with your family during your lifestyle session. In this post, I’ll show you 4 activities for at home family photo sessions!

How to Connect During a Lifestyle Family Photo Session

Before a family photo session I love to learn about a family’s style. What makes you unique and what you love to do together. The session will be loosely planned around some of your favorite activities, yet it will be unscripted and unposed. The only rule is that the activities should feel natural to your family, not forced. Here are some ideas to get you thinking…

Cooking or Baking

Do you love to cook or bake together? The kitchen is the heart of the home and most families spend most of their time here. It might not be your first thought for a family session, but it’s a place of familiarity and comfort. There’s something for everyone to do and get involved in, so it’s a great place to start with movement and activity to warm up in front of the camera.

Board Games

If your family loves game nights, this is such a fun activity to try during your photo session. Everyone can be sitting and interacting, and once the game really gets going, you tend to forget I’m there. Bonus tip – let your kids win to ensure lots of smiles and laughter from them!

Cuddling and Reading

My personal favorite and go-to suggestion is to grab a pile of your favorite books and find a comfy nook in your home. Gather your family and cuddle up, taking turns to read. Without prompts, this almost always turns into a tickle fight or family pile on! It’s the perfect activity for both your quiet kiddo who loves to read and your wild child who needs to jump on the furniture!

Take it Outside!

When it comes to family sessions I like to emphasize they take place “at home” not just “in home”. Meaning, let’s go outside in your yard! There is nothing like the comfort of running barefoot in your own yard or knowing the best trees to climb. Kids love to run free and being in your yard sets the stage for their little personalities to really shine.

No matter which activities you choose for your family photo session, just be sure that it feels authentic to you. Not only will it feel natural, but when you look back on your photos, they will stir up memories and nostalgia of that special phase in your family’s life!

Whether you have one newborn or multiple kids growing in different phases, you are in the thick of mothering.  You are the heartbeat of your family but maybe you don’t notice the beauty in the mundane routines, or the magic in-between ordinary moments? The thing is, your family sees it. Lifestyle family photos at home are the most thoughtful and honest way to shine a light on your motherhood journey. I invite you to allow yourself to see all that you’re creating beyond the day-to-day, to see yourself the way your family does.

4 Activities for At Home Family Photo Sessions

Nicole DeTone is a published Westchester Photographer. Nicole offers maternity, newborn, and family photography in her natural and timeless style. Serving The Hudson Valley, Westchester County and Fairfield County including Greenwich, Scarsdale, Westport, Ridgefield, Katonah, Bedford, Lagrangeville, and beyond. View more work on Pinterest, Instagram and Website.