Home is a place often overlooked for family portraits. As I walk around my own neighborhood, I check out my neighbor's houses and think what a cool tree to shoot in front of or how great a front door would be for that family's portrait.
And these days it's getting harder and harder to find cool locations for shooting family portraits. Some cities and venues require expensive permits, some popular locations are even discouraging to photographers, posting signs and calling names ("Obnoxious photographers, this is NOT your studio" !) This makes me sad on so many levels--obviously, some photographers have been obnoxious while shooting and are giving us all a bad rap, but also sad for the areas that my clients and I are choosing. Often times, my clients will choose areas to be photographed that they already frequent or because they've always wanted to visit. After our sitting, they often stay and eat, shop and explore at the location. However, many clients, after seeing those signs don't feel as welcome and choose not to stay and patronize the areas.
But there's none of that when you choose home as your location! The beauty of being at home means you feel all super comfortable--you're at home, after all! If you forget something--that's ok, you're at home! Not quite ready when I get there? I can start with someone who is--you're at home! Need to check your makeup or hair? You're at home--easy peasy! Want to take a break while I photograph the kids? Yes you can, you're at home, go get a glass of wine! And when we're done? You're home.
Lena's family has many and varied interests--we talked about lots of locations and lots of ideas. And as I walked around her house and street a bit, I told her I thought her own street was going to be a fantastic location. And I think I was right.
Oh, and being at home allowed me to get this gorgeous portrait of Lena. Because everyone else went on home. And because every mom needs a beautiful portrait of themselves--don't you think?
