As you may have noticed, in-home lifestyle photography sessions have taken over the family photography trends. I won’t bore you with the reasons why (again), but this session from last February speaks for itself. Kara wanted a relaxed and fun session at home, with a side order of pregnancy announcement (Hey Bryce!). It was a cold gloomy day outside, but it didn’t matter, because we were all cozied up together inside, playing cars and trucks.

As always, I love documenting this family. They are some of my favourite people and it’s an honour to be invited into their home so often 🙂 – Stay tuned for their maternity session and (SPOILER ALERT) Bryce’s big debut!

Want to see more snippets of some awesome family sessions? Check out my favourites in the Families Gallery

Cheers, B.

My all-time favourite way to document a family is in their home. Of course the parks in the Spring and Fall are gorgeous, and the backdrop of flowers and autumn leaves is amazing, but there is just something so special about the way a family interacts in their own home. So, I am here today because I want to tell you 5 reasons why your next family session should be at home.

You are all already comfortable in your own home. 

There is a reason this is #1 – the way you interact in your home is completely different and more natural than when you are somewhere else. Think about it: if we are in your living room and I ask you to sit close together, chances are there is already a spot you would normally do that in, and you will all fall naturally into that pose together, instead of looking around the big open field and asking me where or how. Plus, you don’t need to rush to get ready and out of the house on time, so you will all already be much more relaxed by the time I arrive for the session. And, even if you’re not ready when I arrive, I can spend some extra time one-on-one with the kids while you finish getting yourself ready! Your kids can keep playing with their toys, they know their way around and if they need a drink or a snack, they can have one waiting for them right there on the table. There will be no worry of them running off down a trail, no need to bother with sunscreen or bug spray. Easy peasy.

Alone time is always available (even encouraged!).

Let’s be honest, most guys don’t exactly love when it’s time for family pictures. The bonus of being at home, is when Dad decides he needs a beer, or wants to stand back for a few minutes he totally can. I tend to think that Dad’s are in most of your family pictures anyway, as we Mom’s are always behind the camera, so this is a great opportunity for your children to get some shots with you!

In-home sessions are so great because if anyone needs a moment to compose themselves or a minute alone, they have a comfortable place to retreat to and come back to the fun when they are ready! These moments also sometimes open up opportunities to photograph your little ones in their most natural state in their bedrooms or play space.

Your prints will match your decor.

No need to worry if those orange leaves will clash with your blue walls, because all of the tones and colours in your prints will perfectly reflect the colours of your home. People also tend to wear clothing in the same colour palettes as their homes, so you can wear whatever you are comfortable in!

You will get an opportunity to document the little details of your life right now.

During in-home sessions I try to take a few shots of your surroundings. It is hard to know what exactly you will miss in the years to come, but having some images of your child’s favourite toy bin, or the books your read each night, or their jacket thrown over a chair will no doubt bring back some cherished memories in a few years time. Having your home as the background creates so many opportunities to document those every day moments that we often take for granted.

No one else’s pictures will look like yours

You can guarantee that no one else will have images that look like yours. No one could ever replicate the memories you are making in your own home on a daily basis, and no other family is living this life like you are, so embrace it!

Now don’t get me wrong, I love being outdoors with families, exploring parks with beautiful light and interesting shadows. That is something I will always love doing and there is no denying that your family photos will turn out beautiful – but there is just no comparison to the comfort of your own home. Your home is where all of your love is, where the majority of your memories are made, and where your next family photography session should be.

If you are interested in an in-home family photography session, click here to get in touch with me today!

Summer was so good to us this year. We got a little dirty, hit up a few parks, fit in some camping trips, grew a massive garden, ate a few ice cream cones, made some new friends and took a few couch naps (but not nearly enough). I hate being 2 months behind on these posts, but reliving the memories is good for the soul. And I love seeing two beautifully different personalities shine out of these images.

Exhibit A: One child perfectly content following the rules and playing at the table; the other, doing things a little differently.

Why is it that they look so much smaller when they sleep? Grasping at these moments whenever I can…

“Archer, give him a lick… No! Of your ice cream!!”

Witnessing these unicorn moments makes my heart so full.

Exhibit B: No description necessary.

Buying myself some time before the bed time shit show, I mean routine.

Oh heeeeyyyyyy!

Thank you so much to everyone who popped over here the other day and commented on the launch of my new website! It was definitely a labour of love – lots of late nights and a smidge of wine were involved. I am honestly so grateful to be able to do this work, even as a side hustle. Spending time with you and your family is both incredibly grounding and inspirational.

What better way to celebrate a website launch than with a fresh post on the bloggity blog? I am *this close* to admitting I am over summer and ready for fall, buuuut I don’t want to be the first one. So, on that note we will jump in the ole’ time machine back to June 1st and have a look at the beginning of summer.

Trips to the park, the petting zoo, the beach, our first camping trip and bless my heart: Archer’s first fish. A teensy little perch, the perfect first catch.

Can we talk about camping with young children for a minute? Because I was under the impression that a weekend away from home with no internet, no computer, no television and no real requirement to shower would mean lots of outdoor adventures, dirty kids and family memories. Now all of those things held true but they came with a side of a few near-death experiences and constant danger. Exaggerating? Maybe. But I have to share a hilarious story which may or may not make you judge me as a parent and question my abilities to keep humans alive. While setting up our camp for the weekend we had the boys in the play yard with some toys to keep them entertained and contained for a few minutes. After about 3 minutes they were over it, and the whining/yelling/crying commenced. When we were just about set up I let them free thinking there were only a few loose ends to tie up, only to realize we forgot to secure the awning on the trailer. So I am carefully climbing a chair to help Eric with the awning, all while keeping an eye on the children (read: Gryffin), when I look up for 10 seconds (literally this time!), look back and G is gone.

Me: “Where’s Gryff?”

Eric “He was just right here”

Me: “Archer, where is Gryffin”

Archer “He’s right there!” pointing to the fire pit

Gryffin was just chilling IN THE FIRE PIT. Playing with the ashes like it’s a freaking sand box. THANK GOODNESS there wasn’t someone on our site the night before so there were no coals, but OHMYGAWD that kid. Moral of the story: Never trust Gryffin if he is out of the cage. Did I say cage? I meant play yard.

Oh ya, and I was there too*.

*Cooking dinner with my boys is what appears to be happening here, but in reality it was Archer struggling with a butter knife to cut some asparagus for dinner while I tried to simultaneously man the camera and prevent a stabbing (because Gryffin) – all while Iron Man kept a watchful eye on the universe. Thanks Iron Man.

Geez, sounds a bit like crazy town over here doesn’t it? That’s because it is. And I love every little minute of it. Hope you’re having a great week and enjoying all of your own crazy!

xo, B.

Extended family sessions are so much fun for me. Coming from a big family, I know how much fun it is to hang out with your siblings and their families. My siblings are my built in friends, and I know the Bechard’s are no different. The dynamic between the siblings and the kids was so fun, and there was no shortage of love from grandma and grandpa. Better yet, we shot this family session at a family orchard with great-grandpas old tractor still on site.

Documenting your big (and little!) families as every one grows is so important, and when you can add in an extra special element like the family farm, it makes it even more meaningful.

Looking for Port Lambton Family Photography? Get in touch!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with this beautiful little family last Fall. Even though little Miss P took a few minutes to warm up to me, we had a lot of fun and I was happy to capture so many beautiful moments for this family. They are now adding another little baby to the mix, and I am so excited to get to see them again this coming Fall!

Congratulations Ryan, Kyrah & Paxtyn!

If you are looking for a Petrolia Family Photographer, please contact me today! I would love to document your family’s beautiful story!