We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us – Winston Churchill

If you’re anything like me then you spend most of your time at home. For most people home is where you feel most relaxed and comfortable. The one place where you can be completely yourself, where you can rest and reset. Somewhere that feels safe and comforting.

When I think back on my childhood, of course I think about things like our family trips to Nambucca Heads and Christmas at my grandparent’s house. But the majority of my memories are simple ones. The ones at home. The endless matches of balloon tennis my brother and I would have sitting on either side of our ugly 90s rattan coffee table. The pink walls and floral wallpaper in my bedroom that perfectly matched my pink floral bed frame. Games of Mario Party on the Nintendo 64 and constantly telling our Mum that Luigi is not pronounced Lou-guy. These are my core memories.

So why should you have a photoshoot at your home?

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#1 You’re going to want to remember this stage in your life

Whether you’re currently renting, waiting to do reno’s, or you’re in your forever home; you are going to want to remember this time in your life. The art that hangs on the wall, the lounges you agonised over choosing, the kid’s paintings hanging proudly on the fridge. Everything about your home tells the story of you and your family.

In 20 or 30 years time when your kids are grown up and maybe even have kids of their own, you’ll be sitting around a table looking through photos and talking about the past. Maybe you’ll be in the same house, maybe you won’t, but the photos will be a reminder of this time.

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#2 It’s far more comfortable

Kids are in their element! When they’re on home turf kids are infinitely more comfortable and take way less time to warm up to the camera. Plus, easy access to snacks and toys. There are so many things to do with kids at home like play with a favourite toy, snuggle up and read a book, jump on the trampoline, have a dance party in the kitchen. Because pictures of kids being kids are always cute. Grown ups feel more comfortable at home too, especially if you’re wanting intimate photos.

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#3 No one will have the same photos as you

Your personality will shine through. If your home doesn’t look like something you would find on Pinterest (don’t worry, mine doesn’t either) please don’t let that deter you. I would much rather shoot your home as it is with all its imperfection and personality, that tells me a story of how you live over something that’s staged to be Instagram worthy.  

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#4 There won’t be any onlookers

It’s private. Something a lot of people don’t think about when choosing a spot for a photoshoot is that there will most likely be other people there. If your worst nightmare is 20-30 picnic-goers five metres away watching you and your partner getting snuggly and having your photo taken, or a group of surfers watching you run in the water totally nude to get that perfect naked beach maternity shot (both scenarios that have happened) then why not consider a home shoot where you can get as intimate or undressed as you would like without the added pressure of strangers watching you.

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#5 You can get creative!

You can make the shoot whatever you want it to be. A bubble bath with your partner, a pillow fight with feathers flying everywhere, a food fight in the kitchen, snuggling up on the lounge with your pets – you’re in total control.

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