How to prepare for your family photo shoot at home
How to prepare for your in home family photoshoot in London - a guide from a London Family photographer
Booking a family photo shoot at home is one of the most relaxed, unhurried ways to document your family as you are right now. There is no need to travel, no worrying about the weather, and no rushing to get everyone out the door. Your baby stays in familiar surroundings, your toddler has their own toys nearby, and you can make a cup of tea five minutes before I arrive.
These are the sessions where everyday life naturally unfolds. T
I have been photographing families in their homes across London, Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Chiswick, Fulham, Chelsea and Surrey for over ten years, and I can tell you: your home does not need to be styled like Pinterest. It just needs to feel like yours.
If you have already read my outdoor family photoshoot prep guide, you will find some familiar advice here — but everything below is tailored specifically for an indoor, at-home family photography session.
How to prepare your home (without stressing)
Let me start with the most important thing: you do not need to deep clean or redecorate. I will work with the light, the layout, and the spaces your family actually uses. A home that is clearly lived in feels warm and real — and that is exactly what we want.
That said, a few small things can make a real difference:
• Clear surfaces where we will be shooting — the kitchen counter, the sofa, the bed. Think a quick tidy rather than a makeover. Move anything that might distract the eye: remote controls, charging cables, stray post.
• Switch to plain, light-coloured bed sheets if we are using the bedroom — white, cream, brown, soft green or soft grey work beautifully. Patterned or very dark bedding can pull attention away from you and your family.
• Prepare a few soft blankets or throws — these are wonderful for adding warmth and texture to images. Neutral tones, chunky knits, linen, or muslin all work well.
• Where do we usually shoot? The living room, bedroom, kitchen, nursery — wherever the light is best and your family naturally gathers. I will do a quick walk-through when I arrive to find the best spots.
Lighting: let the windows do the work
Natural light is everything for an at-home family photoshoot. It is soft, flattering, and creates that warm, timeless quality that makes these images so beautiful.
Here is what helps:
• Open the curtains and blinds on the windows with the best light — usually the largest windows in your home.
• We usually start between 10 and 11am for the softest, most consistent light. This tends to work well for baby moods too.
• Turn off harsh overhead lights and lamps — we want soft, directional window light, not competing light sources.
• If you are not sure which rooms have the best light, do not worry — that is something I will assess when I arrive. And sending me a quick video beforehand helps enormously (more on that below).
What to wear
The styling principles for an at-home session are similar to my advice for outdoor family photoshoots, but with a few home-specific thoughts.
The basics
• Soft, neutral tones — creams, whites, warm greys, soft greens, dusty blues. Coordinate, do not match.
• Think about what looks beautiful against your home's backdrop. If your sofa is dark grey, lighter clothing creates a lovely contrast. If your walls are white, earthy tones feel grounded.
• Comfort is even more important at home — you will be on the floor, cuddling on the sofa, picking baby up and putting them down again. Choose clothes you can move freely in.
• Bare feet are lovely at home. They feel natural and keep things simple.
• Avoid large logos, bold patterns, and anything very shiny or heavily branded — these compete with your faces. Remove Apple watches, fitness bracelets, and keep the jewellery minimal.
For babies and children
Simple, soft outfits in neutral colours. A beautiful knitted romper, a plain bodysuit, or even just a nappy for the youngest babies. I also have a small client wardrobe available with a curated selection of outfits, so do ask if you would like to use something from my collection.
For more detailed guidance on dressing the whole family, take a look at my studio baby photoshoot prep guide — the styling section applies beautifully to home sessions too.
Timing around your children’s routine
If you have a young baby — especially between three and twelve months — their routine matters more than almost anything else. A well-fed, well-rested baby is a happy, settled baby, and that makes all the difference.
• Nap times matter — we will plan the session around your baby's natural rhythm, not the other way around.
• Morning sessions, around 10 to 11am, tend to work well for both light and baby moods.
• We will chat about all of this during our consultation — I want to find the window that works for your family.
This is something I have learned from experience and from being a mum myself. You can read more about preparing a young baby in my newborn photoshoot prep guide — much of the same advice applies to babies a few months older, too.
A note on directing — leave it to me
One thing I always tell families before a session: you do not need to perform. You do not need to look a certain way, hold a certain pose, or try to get your baby to smile at the camera.
I will gently guide you through everything — where to sit and how to hold your baby for best light. But more than anything, I am looking for honest connection, not choreographed moments.
A few things that really help:
• Please do not direct your children or ask them to look at the camera. I know it is tempting, but it changes the energy in the room.
• One voice directing — I will be the one gently guiding, so your children are not getting instructions from multiple directions. This keeps things calm and natural.
• Focus on each other, not the lens. The most beautiful images come from the moments in between — the glance, the laugh, the way your baby reaches for your face.
Send me a video of your home beforehand
One thing that helps me enormously is seeing your home before I arrive. A short video walkthrough — nothing fancy, just your phone — showing the main rooms and the light coming through the windows gives me a real head start.
I can plan which spaces will work best, what time will give us the most beautiful light, and come prepared with ideas that suit your home specifically.
You can send this to me via WhatsApp any time before the session. Even a few photos of your rooms at different times of day are helpful.
What to have ready
A simple checklist for the morning of your session:
Have on hand
• Baby essentials — nappies, wipes, milk or bottles, a spare outfit
• Non-messy snacks for older babies and toddlers (rice cakes, banana, breadsticks)
• A favourite toy — simple and visually neutral if possible (wooden toys photograph beautifully)
• Soft blankets and throws in neutral tones
• Plain, light-coloured bed sheets on the bed
• A drink for you — a calm parent means a calm baby, so look after yourself too
What NOT to bring out
• Screens, iPads, or phones (for children)
• Noisy electronic toys
• Anything brightly coloured or branded that might end up in shot
The most important thing
The most important preparation for your family photo shoot at home is simply this: relax, and enjoy being together. Your home is already the perfect backdrop to your family's story .
I would love to hear from you. If you are thinking about booking an at-home family photoshoot in London, or if you have already booked and want to chat through the details, please get in touch. I am here to guide you every step of the way.
With warmth,
Alina
Apple Grove Studio – Family Photography London
Browse the portfolio
If you’d like to explore the different types of sessions before booking:
👉 Family photography
https://applegrovestudio.com/portfolio/family
👉 Motherhood (mum + baby)
https://applegrovestudio.com/portfolio/motherhood
👉 Maternity
https://applegrovestudio.com/portfolio/maternity
👉 Newborn
https://applegrovestudio.com/portfolio/newborn
If you have any questions at all — about timing, session types, or what might suit your family best — feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to help.