Is in-home photography for me? Geelong family photographer answers all your burning questions.
So, you’re considering an in-home photography session, but aren’t sure it’s the right fit?
I get it - booking anything with a busy family requires some serious hoop jumping these days – finding a day/time that works for everyone, convince your other half it’s a good idea, and somehow rounding-up the little ones into their photo best - why do all that unless you’re sure it will be worth it..?
This thing is, I can guarantee it will be; in-home photography is ahh-MaZing!
I’ve put together a list of some of the most frequent questions I’m asked by families considering inviting me home, and thought I’d sharing them here, in the hope they’ll set your mind and heart at ease.
Who is this photographer, anyway?
Oh hello!
I’m Michelle; a family lifestyle, maternity and newborn photographer who visits clients in their Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat and Torquay homes. I strive to capture organic, meaningful portraits that withstand the test of time.
As well as being completely obsessed with catching memories for local families, I’m also an educator of photographers worldwide, and host a thriving community of students, looking to learn the intricacies and art of in-home photography (so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands!)
When I’m not out catching memories, I’m at home with my fella Francis loving our hectic zoo of a household (which includes our two human babies (Sylvie and August), two cats and one beloved groodle. You can see what we al look like over here!
What are the benefits of in-home photography?
Oh there are so many!
The biggest joy of coming to you is that your little ones don’t have to leave their safe spaces; there’s no need to worry about toddlers overwhelmed in an unfamiliar photography studio, or bundling baby up to take her to a shoot in the first week of her little life.
Plus, you won’t need to pack a baby bag (we all know babies practically need a sherpa to carry all their essentials), everything you’ll need will be on hand when you need it.
Do you use props?
I don't require props and don't provide them per se, but if there's a special object (such as a much-loved blanket or quilt) that you'd like included in the session then that’s always welcomed. : )
What I do bring along is a sort of low lying moses type basket for photographing your little one (if we need a space to lie them down), several blankets and wraps, and a very few select items for dressing babe in, if you’d like them in something a little special for their imagery.
Will we get any shots of the whole family together?
Oh yes, of course. : )
These will not be family portraits as you know them though, probably. I'll not be lining you all up and telling you to smile. We'll keep it light and loose and play a game or two to ensure we're capturing your lovely authentic selves.
Otherwise I follow a strict there-are-no-rules-so-let’s-do-what-feels-good approach during my sessions, and it’s served me will in the past. Some of the time I’ll be purely observant. Other times I might catch you or your little one doing something amazing and ask you to do it again. Or perhaps I’ll spot some epic light and place your crawling babe right in the middle of it. There’s no posing or scripting - we’ll just lead with our guts and let the mood take us where it will. : )
How close to my due date should I book a newborn session?
My recommendation is we select a date roughly 10 days after your EDD, as it’s often loveliest when I’m able to visit your little family in the first week or so of bringing baby home, when he’s still sleepy and oh so squishy.
In saying this, naturally newborns have no regard for diaries and due dates, so I keep my schedule relatively flexible to ensure I can reach you soon after little one’s birth.
If baby happens to come early and you’d like to move your booking forward, my families know they can simply reach out, and we’ll readjust our visit. .
I always have a few just-in-case windows up my sleeve!
What about my older kids - will they be involved?
All your children are important and treasured, and they will definitely be a large part of your session!
I love including everyone in the story, whether it be a newborn session or family story with bigger kiddies (in fact it’s often the older siblings who tend to steal the show!).
What happens after?
In the week after I visit with your little crew, I’ll send you a gallery of proofs.
These are unedited files that show you all the goodness we made, allowing you to select your very favourites for me to prepare for you. You need only purchase what you completely love, and you select the keepers for yourself, rather than me making that big decision for you.
It can take up to 4 weeks from your session date for your images to be ready - I take my time to ensure your edits are perfect, and ready for printing and display.
When you order wall art from me (which - because I LOVE printing - gets you 10% off your entire order, including the digital files), this can take anywhere between 2-6 weeks from the time I place the order.
I’ve never had professional photos taken, and I’m worried I wont know what to do.
Ah, but that’s where I come in!
It’s completely normal that you may not know how to hold yourself in front of the camera, or where to look, but you don’t have to worry about any of that.
When I come to spend time with you and your family it will be super organic - we’ll be creating an experience - an opportunity for you to be present with your young ones, in a way that only you can, and all the while I’ll be gently guiding and prompting you to capture the moments in the most natural way possible, while ensuring everyone is looking their best, so that you’ll wind up with photographs you’ll really and truly love.
What if our house isn’t Insta perfect?
The magic of in-home is that we are making photographs that are as meaningful as they are artful.
We’re going for natural and organic photos, not Pinterest perfect. I’m coming to make memories with you and your family, so my focus will be on that - on the connections and bonds you share - and not your home.
It’s important to remember that this is the home to which you brought your bundle of joy from the hospital, making it instantly important, magical, and worth remembering.
Keep in mind that we’re going to follow the light, so not every room needs to be spick and span. All you need to do is a general tidy and a quick vacuum of your best lit spaces. Easy!
I'd love an in-home shoot but I'm worried my house is too dark.
It's not. I promise you.
How about this - if I arrive at your home and find the lighting isn't great, or (for whatever reason) the space is one I can't work with (spoiler: it’s never happened), we will re-schedule your session (for another, brighter day or at a different location) at no additional charge to you.
I like the idea of an in-home session, but will I get any images I can frame for the walls?
You certainly will. In fact, unposed photographs are the only kind I frame at my place. : )
My expertise is taking what you deem ordinary and creating something beautiful - artful and authentic is my jam.
Printing photographs is something near to my heart; it is their intended state - your images should not exist only on a hard drive in the bottom of a dark and lonely drawer.
So yes - there will be plenty of photographs you'll want to frame. The question I'll be asking is 'how big?!'
What if we can't think of anything we want to do for a session?
Don't worry about that, I have plenty of ideas.
I can send you some prompt questions that will get you thinking about the memories you might like to preserve, or location suggestions if you're planning a session outside of the home.
When is the best time of the day for a session?
My recommendation fro babies and small children is first thing in the morning, but when planning an in-home session, timing is a little looser than location based sessions.
Can you do mid-week sessions?
Yes. I really enjoy working mid-week, as it means I can be home with my man and my babies on the weekend. : )
Afternoon and evening sessions are my jam and I can also rock early morning sessions - there's something enchanting about those first waking moments that cannot be matched by any other time of the day.
(The best hours for a session is dependent on the season and the time the sun rises and sets in our part of the world. We'll chat logistics when you book.)
If you have a day of the week or specific time that's best for you, please ask - we'll see what we can work out.
Can you do parties or events?
Ordinarily no. I’m just so busy with all the babies it’s no longer something I prioritise. Send me a message though if you like, and let me know what you have in mind.
I'm not in Geelong or Melbourne. Do you travel at all?
Yes, probably. I have two adorable little dependents, so I'd need some notice to get everything in order.
There will be an additional fee to cover travel expenses and this will vary, depending on where you are and what you require.
Do you photograph births?
Yes. Yes yes and yes. I ADORE birth photography.
I am absolutely open to photographing the birth of your baby. I can also do Fresh 48 sessions (this is when I visit you and babe at the hospital to catch them all fresh and wrinkly).
Please send me a message for a quote and to chat logistics! x
Still have questions?
If you’re curious about what to wear, or what to expect on the day of your session, you can learn more about those things by clicking the links.
Otherwise, for other queries, feel free to reach out – I’m here and happy to help!
