How To Know What Rooms To Use For Your In-Home Photo Session

How to know what room to use for your in-home photography session.

So, you decided you want to have your photos taken in your home this year? Yay, I’m thrilled for you! A decision you won’t regret!

But then, the overwhelm sets in. Where will we do the photos? The prettiest room? The emptiest room? Should I buy new furniture and redecorate the living room this month? How do I know what room the photographer will want? Do I need to binge clean the entire house?

Fear not, my friend, you’ve hired me, and I’m going to walk you through this very daunting decision. We’ll narrow it down well before your session date so you know exactly what space we’ll be using and what you need to do to prepare!

First Things First

First step: Notice.

Spend a few days observing your home during the morning hours with the blinds open. Where does the light stream in? What time? Is it bright enough to hit the floor?

This first photo is of my home, my dining room on a sunny morning. See how that light is strong enough to come in and hit the floor?

Whatever room that happens in your home is where we will want to take photos.

I promise it doesn’t matter that the space is the dining room vs the living room. Or a child’s bedroom or nursery. Maybe it’s an office or a daylight basement. The name of the room makes no difference to me!

Even if our session ends up being on a cloudy day (and this happens frequently being in the Portland Oregon area!), this is STILL the room we want to use. The light coming in here will still be the best option, even through the clouds!

That’s really it!

It’s really that simple, friends! We just need ONE space that has beautiful light. Nothing else matters. Not decor, not furniture. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hallway or a bedroom or the living room or kitchen.

Knowing what room to use for your in-home photography session is as simple as noticing where the light is strongest.

All of these photos were taken in this client’s living room, because that is where the light was. And the majority of them were taken in the small space behind their sofa right next to the window.

See that beautiful light streaming in? Just gorgeous!

Pull up those blinds! Let the sunlight in! If you hate the furniture in that area, by all means, temporarily relocate it! And do not worry about the rest of your home. I can, and most often prefer, to photograph a complete session in one small area of the home.

No overwhelm required.

Are you ready to start planning your own in-home family session? *ahem* now that you know what rooms to use and know there needn’t be any extra stress involved?? Hit the inquiry form on my contact page and let’s get the conversation started.

Emilie Phillipson is a published Portland Family Photographer.
Emilie Phillipson Photography offers Maternity, Newborn,
and Family Photography in the Greater Portland, Oregon area.
Oregon City, Lake Oswego, West Linn
Happy Valley, Gresham, Troutdale, and Vancouver.