Preparing for an in-home photo shoot can be stressful. I fully understand that!

You want to make sure things look clean and tidy. I mean you’re inviting a stranger into your home and using it as the backdrop to the photos that you want to hang on your walls and print in albums and pass down to future generations, after all. No pressure or anything…

As someone who wants to have a clean home and also never seems to find the time to do it, I can relate. And here’s what I have to say to you: it’s going to be ok.

I am not coming into your home to judge you. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so let me cut to the chase and tell you my top five tips for how to get your house ready for an in-home lifestyle shoot:

1. Tidy up the house (but don’t deep clean)!

I’m not your mother-in-law. I’m not here to judge whether or not the countertops are polished, the carpet is vacuumed, or the sheets have been washed. Just do a quick little sweep, put the toys in their baskets, and shove the laundry into the closet. We’re all human, we’ve all done it. Let’s give ourselves some grace.

2. Pull back those curtains and let the light in.

This is something I tell every single client, every single time we shoot. I’m a daylight photographer so we’ll want to get as much light in your home as possible. I’ll also work with you beforehand so we know which rooms get the best light and what the best time of day is for your home in particular.

3. Turn off and put away your electronics.

That means phones, tablets, Nintendo Switches, you get the idea. No need for distractions because this photoshoot is the entertainment for the day! Photo sessions with me are FUN, so there’s no need to have the TV on or a tablet at the ready. I promise you’ll be smiling and entertained without them!

(I don’t have a photo of this one because my clients know better!)

4. Don’t stress about fluffing pillows.

I said we’d have fun, right? Rules go out the window on photoshoot day, so prepare for some furniture climbing and bed jumping! I’m not opposed to a pillow fight or two in the name of controlled chaos.

5. Everything else is fair game and might end up in a photo!

Do you absolutely hate the dog crate in your living room or the pile of books on your bedside table? Highly recommend hiding them for the hour that I’m with you. I can work with certain lenses and different angles, but I’m not a magician.

Look, I know my clients are real humans too. I don’t expect anyone to spend hours cleaning before a session or for everyone to live in pristine homes with no clutter. My goal is to make your life look beautiful, as simply as possible. And ultimately your home is just the backdrop, and your love and your family are the stars of the show, so let’s treat it that way! Trust that I’m going to guide you in the right direction and make sure your photographs are a beautiful keepsake.

I have many more tips about how to get your house ready, from lighting to ambience to how to compliment the colors in your home, so why don’t you schedule a session with me and let’s make some magic happen!