client tips, families, featured

The magic of playful family photos at home

I'm Leah!

I’m obsessed with stories of family, creativity, and simple joys.  A nostalgia nerd, educator, wife, and mom of 3, I believe life’s most fun when you’re dreaming big and having kitchen dance parties. 

hey there

Are you a photographer?

Ooooh yes

Education and articles for family photographers

TOp categories

FAQ's and guidance for stress-free family and newborn sessions 

Essays, letters, favorites

Highlighted family and newborn photography sessions

Home is the key to removing some of the biggest stressors that most people say they hate about family photos.

  • Getting everybody dressed and out the door on time.
  • Worrying about kids getting dirty.
  • Feeling uncomfortable being photographed in public

We can eliminate all of it be simply doing yoru family photos at home.

family photos at home with 2 girls and a dog

Convince me

I am so inspired by walking into a family’s intimate environment, embracing all the gooey, piles of family love and silly vibes of young kids as they bounce on a couch or hide behind curtains.

The simplicity of saying “go play!” while we steel a moment of quiet with mom and dad (aka they’re actually banging on the door of the bedroom and singing at the top of their lungs while mom and dad drink their first hot cup of coffee, laughing like nooooothings happening.)

The ability to have the family dog join in naturally without the stress of handling her in a new place while also trying to pull everything else together with two young kids.

Morning light streaming through windows in rays of welcome warmth.

Applesauce at the ready.

Ending a session with a living room dance party.

It’s the stuff of life.

father daughter poses for family photos at home
natural family photos at home, family lying on the bed pose

The stuff that you want to look back on when the days feel long and frustrating, when the house isn’t clean and you’re not clean and nothing is ever clean…

The stuff that makes you remember who you are.

That there are good days, too.

That the counters are castles and the beds make you fly and the simple joys in this very place are magical.

That love is palpable and close.

These are the kinds of photos that start stories and invite memories and fuel confidence. The kind that remind you that your life is breathing art, inspiring little souls, and building futures.

They’re a representation of your personal blend of family. And you can hold it anytime you want.

family of 4 pose for family photos at home
couples photos at home with dog on the bed
ideas for playful family photos at home
family photos at home, charlottesville photographer
natural family photos at home, charlottesville

Interested in capturing family photos at home with your own crew? Reach out here so we can talk details!

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Lifestyle family session at home with all adults

Things to do in Charlottesville with kids

4 Tips for including your family dog in your photos

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Home is the key to removing some of the biggest stressors that most people say they hate about family photos - like getting everybody dressed and out the door on time. Here's how. 

Featured

This post is meant to be a super helpful gathering of Charlottesville pregnancy and newborn resources from aaaaaall their words, advice, experience, wins, and fails.

Client tips

A morning person, nostalgia- obsessed, book-loving dreamer + doer

Hi, I'm Leah.
Family photographer and educator.

I am endlessly curious. I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself and love a good kitchen dance party. My kids inspire and delight me daily. My superpower is seeing magic in the mundane and thinking way too deeply about it. I’ll talk your ear off about business, purpose, and the ways art can fuel both. I believe the best way to care for people is to really see them. Every man in my life taught me that strength starts with black coffee and every woman showed me that you can be both sweet and spicy. 

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