5 Reasons To Take Family Photos At Home

There’s something truly special about family photos. They freeze time, capturing moments of love, laughter, and connection. But when it comes to choosing a location, many families automatically think of parks, beaches, or studios. While those settings are beautiful, there’s an often-overlooked option that can make your photos even more meaningful—your own home. As a Los Angeles Family Photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how in-home family sessions create stunning, heartfelt images. Here are five reasons why you should consider taking your next family photos at home.

Why should you take family photos at home?

At-home family photos are my favorite for a few different reasons. First of all, as a documentary-style photographer, I like capturing families as they are, in their “natural habitat.” I believe that in the long term, those are the most powerful types of photographs because they can bring you back to this moment in time. Those images will show your kids what life was like when they were this age and ignite memories that would otherwise have faded. 

Secondly – and I don’t know if you relate to this – but I find that it can be pretty overwhelming to get the whole family ready and at a certain location by a specific time. I know when it came to my own family photos, I wanted the experience to feel as easy and relaxed as possible, which is why we chose to have our session at home.

I believe that if your session feels relaxed, then you and your family will look relaxed in your photos. That will allow your personalities to shine through so you end up with photos that reflect who you truly are as a family.

Tips for Finding a Professional Photographer for Family Photos At Home

The most important step for getting the kind of family photos you want is to find the best photographer for your family. 

Check out my article where I outline the most important points to consider before committing to a photographer.

Or check out the intro video to see what I cover:

Inspiration for your At-Home Family Photo Session

Here are some images that epitomize the advantages of at-home photo sessions. In my opinion, this level of relaxation and connection is harder to achieve if you’re shooting on location. But at home, it comes naturally.

Example #1: Relaxed At-home Family Session

Notice how relaxed (and happy!) both toddler and father seem to be. This image gives you great insight into their relationship and dad’s sense of humor.

Example #2

To me, the environment is just as important as the subjects in this photo. The scattered toys, dock-a-tot, and yoga ball contribute to the story of what life is like with a newborn baby. This photo also serves as a perfect example for how a little messiness can actually add richness to the story.

Example #3

I was incredibly lucky to capture this baby’s very first steps. I photographed him from several angles, but this is my favorite. The expression of surprise and pride in his mother’s face absolutely makes this moment. It’s not something you can easily emulate, but a great example of what can happen at home when everyone is living in the moment.

Example #4

A very intimate moment between a grandmother and her two grandchildren as they all just… love each other. There was an evolution of events that led to this moment, starting with just grandma and the newborn baby with the toddler eventually joining them. Though grandma looks at the camera, I would argue that it’s still a great documentary moment with her inviting the viewer into this window of happiness.

Example #5

Looking at this image, it’s quickly obvious that this activity is a regular part of this family’s routine. For that reason, it tells the story of what life was like at this moment. When looking back at this image in the future, the family will notice all the little details – the pup cuddling next to mom, the musical instruments spread around the rug, the book that was a big favorite – and they’ll be taken right back to this moment.

Want to chat about scheduling a family photo session?

If you’re local to Los Angeles and interested in a photo session with me, I’d love to chat with you! Visit my contact page on my website and I’ll be in touch shortly!