how to take better photos at home
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and national requirements to stay home, I’m seriously missing my in-home newborn and family sessions. I completely agree that social distancing is the best way to flatten the curve, but a part of me is so sad thinking about all the family moments at home that are going undocumented. If you had one of these sessions in the books, I’m truly sorry it had to be postponed. In the meantime, I’ve put together some tips to help you best capture your own families while you stay indoors. These shoots are a great way to get creative and capture the essence of your family’s personal life while not leaving your property. I hope this blog post inspires you to photograph this week! Stay safe and happy shooting.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WINDOW LIGHT
You’d be amazed how dreamy indoor light can be. The more I shoot, the more I fall in love with all the different ways you can add to the mood of an image using light from a window. Here are a few examples:
Front Lighting: The photographer is between the subject and the window. This is the most predictable way of using window light. Assuming the sun isn’t shining directly through the window, It provides fewer shadows and textures and can be very visually flattering.
Back Lighting : The subject is between the photographer and the window. I find this one to be the most dramatic and also the trickiest to master. Sometimes they subject can look silhouetted, in which case I’ll take the file into lightroom and pull out shadows while reducing the surrounding highlights. It helps to shoot in RAW when shooting like this!
Side Lighting: The subject is to the side of the window (slightly angled towards it,) and the photographer is perpendicular, facing the subject. This angle of shooting is great for providing depth and texture to the subject. The photo can look more naturally contrasty and the shadows add some nice drama to the overall mood. I love converting side-lit photos to black and white!
Top Lighting: The photographer and window light are above the subject. This can have lots of neat effects! My favorite is that when the subject looks up and towards the light, you get some stunning catchlight in their eyes. This is where the magic happens, and you’ll find it gives your images more life and emotion.
The subject is front-lit.
The subject is back-lit.
The subject is side-lit.
The subject is side/top-lit.
CAPTURE THE ORDINARY
What are some things that your family does every day? What makes up your morning routine? Some of my favorite “ordinary” activities to photograph are meal times, sink baths, breastfeeding, and reading. And aside from activities, there are so many little moments I like photographing, like dad tying his daughters shoe before they go outside, or putting up her hair. Turn on the music and let them dance! These moments may not seem special at the time, but years from now, they will mean everything.
INCLUDE YOUR PETS
One of my favorite parts about home sessions is that you can more easily incorporate your pets! They’re less distracted than they would be at a park or studio, and they make for some precious portraits. If you’re trying to get them to face the photographer, I recommend putting some treats above the camera. And for something more interactive, try putting a dab of peanut butter on one of the family members! After creating this blog post, I’m now realizing I should probably find some cats to photograph!
INCORPORATE PROPS
I like using props for many reasons. Not only can they provide the image with some quirkiness and personality, but they can make your kiddos feel more present and less focused on the camera. You can use them to celebrate a milestone like a birthday, or capture something meaningful, like a book or a favorite stuffed animal. Don’t be afraid to use the backyard! And if one of your kiddos is having a birthday during the quarantine, I highly recommend photographing a cake smash. Older siblings can help bake and ice the cake, and younger ones will go absolutely nuts at first bite. You can even video chat family and friends to celebrate.
SOME FUN IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED:
Designate yourself as the photographer for the day. Then nominate your partner…or one of your children! You’d be amazed out how different everyones eye can be. After each family member has taken turns, you can even plan a slideshow viewing for your family to share. Or a competition if that is more motivating!
Photograph at least one daily activity that you deem as “ordinary.” If it’s something with difficult lighting like “reading a bedtime story,” turn on some ambient lighting! Twinkle lights and lamps provide a nice warm tone to images. Just make sure to adjust your ISO as necessary since you won’t be using window light.
Ask your children what they want to be photographed doing. This way you avoid having to bribe them to be in photos. ;)
Find a photo from your childhood and try to recreate it with your kids. Or if you have older children, have them recreate one from when they were younger!
Did you find this helpful? Would you be interested in reading educational posts like this? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! And if you get inspired to do some indoor shooting, tag me on social media! I’d love to see what you create.