I’ll be the first to admit that, yes, some homes are easier to photograph in than others. Of course, as a photographer, it’d be great if every house I walked into had lots of big windows to let in all the natural light, white or light-colored walls, and was decorated like the pages of a magazine. But I’m not here to shame you. Most of our homes don’t look like that (mine happens to have white walls, but that’s just a job hazard. Otherwise it’s your totally normal, mostly outdated, suburban home.) Before you feel discouraged and decide that an in-home session isn’t for you, keep reading, because there are a lot of things you can do to help prepare your home for photos and make it the perfect space for authentically capturing your family.

It seems like Summer weather is finally here and that means so is the start to photographers’ busy season. With warmer temperatures, more hours in the day, and less hectic schedules (hello, summer break!) Summer is a popular time to book family photos for those looking for something a little bit different than your typical photos in the Fall Foliage, and I’m here for it. There are so many benefits to scheduling your family photos in the Summer, but there are some unique challenges, too. I’m sharing some of my top tips for your family photos this Summer, to make sure you have the best session possible.