In-home motherhood session? Nope, you don’t need a spotless house. The pressure of housekeeping is REAL… and yes, the idea of your laundry being “framed on the wall forever” sounds dramatic but relatable. It’s why we can power clean more in 15 minutes when someone is “dropping by” than we can all week. But the good news? You don’t need perfection, you just need love, connection, and a little soft light.

What an In-Home Motherhood Session Actually Looks Like

(Calm, connection-focused, soft light – not a photoshoot in a magazine house)

Honestly, it doesn’t need to be that way. You can have beautiful in-home sessions without having every nook and cranny scrubbed. Imagine bringing home your new bundle, you’re walking them around the house for the first time and showing them their new nursery. You wouldn’t want to miss that moment because you have laundry on the couch. The toys scattered could be the cutest memories to place in a children’s album. Realistically, life with littles is messy!

“Someday, you’ll miss the mess – the toys, the crumbs, the little footprints everywhere – one day, you’ll look back and smile at the chaos that once filled your home.”

In-home means exactly that: your family, in your home. Whatever that looks like, whether you’ve got a sleepy little newborn or a wound-up toddler. These photographs are lifestyle, storytelling images meant to capture what this season looks and feels like. And if we’re honest, motherhood looks a little rough, and often we’re not feeling our best, yet these are some of the most joyful days. We’re photographing the best of it: the coos, the silly giggles, the moments you’re praying to not forget. The focus is always your love for one another, not the dirty dishes.

The Only Three Spaces You Actually Need Clean

1. An area or corner by a window that has soft light
2. A cozy living room
3. A bed (neutral bedding preferred)

These three spaces allow for a nice variety of locations and activities. But honestly even this can be adjusted. Say you want photos of the family making cookies, you can easily replace one of these rooms with the kitchen. The only thing I would not replace is the window with soft light. That window is a must-have. If you have a simple corner next to a window with soft light, we can set up there and get amazing images!

Each room has its own vibe and its own story. Think about which routine or moment you want to highlight, and choose rooms around that. Bedtime routine? Focus on the kids’ room where you read a book before bed. Does your family have a weekly movie night? Let’s make some special snacks in the kitchen, then move to the couch to eat the special goodies and begin the movie.

And it doesn’t even have to be inside. What about an outdoor weenie roast? Or a movie projector night? There are so many meaningful moments waiting to be told.

What Photographers Really Look For (Not Perfection)

• Light (ideally sunlight – we’ll open curtains and blinds to let in as much soft light as possible)
• Clutter moved off big surfaces (don’t sort it, just toss it in a laundry basket)
• Neutral tones if possible (keeps the focus on your family and your connection)
• Real interactions (the main thing, is to just focus on being present with your loved ones)

Tip: These elements help create soft, candid, and connection-focused images that you’ll cherish forever.

Quick 10-Minute Tidy List

This takes less time than making your kids a snack. Truly.

What to Wear for an In-Home Session

In-home sessions are a lot of fun, think about the vibe you want your photos to represent. I send out a style guide to each of my clients to help educate and ease the stress of outfits. You can never go wrong with neutrals, and my biggest tip is to NOT match. Coordinate instead: pick three or four colors and dress everyone so they look cohesive but not matchy-matchy.

Overall, if you’re overwhelmed or nervous, wear something that feels like you. Soft textures, light creams, blushes, or pastels photograph beautifully indoors.

Your Home Is Already Enough

Mothers deserve to be in the story and your home is a tender part of that story. Our goal with these images is not remembering the mess; it’s remembering the way you hold them, the way they look at you, and the love that fills your everyday life.

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Ready for an in-home motherhood session? Let’s chat about your story and explore which routines or rooms would work best for your family.

-Aspin