# 1 ~ I come to you!
I know one of my least favourite things to do is trying to get my family out of the front door by a certain time. I almost feel like I'd have more fun herding cats. It's stressful, unejoyable and leaves me feeling wound up tighter than a spring by the time we get to where we are going. Having to pack snacks and nappies and potties and drinks for everyone and spare clothes and maybe necessary entertainment and more snacks ~ it's a lot, it's generally mom's job and it is all avoided when I come to you for an at home session. If the kids are still in their pyjamas eating breakfast when I get there, no stress! If you haven't finished your morning cup of coffee, no stress! If your husband decides his bowel needs to move, no stress! This means that the session is starting with a family of relaxed individuals and relaxed is exactly the way I want you for your session.
#2 ~ You're in your home
This is a massive plus! All that stuff I mentioned having to pack to get family out of the front door? Well, it's all right there. Coffee machine for endless supply of big human energy. Snack cupboard for endless supply of happy, fed, energized children. Toilet for whoever needs a wee or poop (this is a massive plus if you aren't a fan of bush weeing or pooping). Oh and you don't have to worry about nap time. Baby/toddler needs to nap ~ they can go for a nap.
So basically, everything you need is there and most importantly, this is your children's safe place. This is where all of the things they love are so if they're feeling overwhelmed or shy or unsure, they can always take some time to themselves in a room they love with things that they love. Another plus, like Amy says is that the background in the photos is your home. You work so hard to give your family a loving, warm home that you all love so why wouldn't you want it to feature in your family photos? It is a space you should be so very proud of because you have worked so very hard for that space. I can guarantee you that you'll also feel a lot more comfortable having your photo taken in your own home. You don't feel awkward there, do you?
It's also great to get pictures of the things your kiddos get up to in the home when you aren't looking. So, when you're making lunch and they're feeding food to the dog or pulling the contents of your kitchen cupboard out all over the floor or jumping off a high surface onto their beds I'll be there taking pictures of it all. This is what their childhood is all about. It's these things you want them to remember. Not an awkward, uncomfortable experience in a place they've never been before.
#3 Zero awkwardness
Imagine this, you arrive at a studio that you've never been to before. The walls and floors are all painted white. There are big umbrella flashes all over the place and a camera set up on a tripod. You're all told to stand in front of the camera, look natural and say CHEESE! Um, not a single thing about that screams natural moment, zero awkwardness. Now, picture this ~
You're sitting at home, huddled on the couch in your comfiest jeans and snuggliest jumper, kiddos tucked in under each arm and a tickle fight begins in 3....2......1. Your kids roar with laughter, they wriggle and squirm to try and get away. Your husband grabs your smallest and throws them up in the air. The laughter is uncontrollable, the connections are unforced, the love is palpable. The thought "do I look awkward cause I sure as heck feel awkward" doesn't even have time to enter your mind. I mean, how can it when being natural is your default setting when you're at home? Your kids will feel relaxed because they are in their safe space. They will feel relaxed because YOU are relaxed and the way that translates in the pictures is just pure magic.
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