Home is Where the Heart Is | Virginia Family Portraits

I’m so excited for this beautiful family to finally get a peek at their images. When we originally discussed scheduling a session, location was one of the primary sticking points. What would be best for a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old? The beach? A park? In the past, on-locations photo sessions had been difficult for them. I always remind my clients that a good photographer can make any location work. For me, the goal isn’t to capture a family’s likeness against a beautiful backdrop — it’s to capture their hearts, their love for each other and their connections. With careful attention to detail, this can be done anywhere you can find proper light. In their case, I suggested home would be most comfortable. It’s often the very last place families think of for portraits, but is actually the best place for young children — especially those that are happiest in their own comfort zone. We take time for snack breaks, playtime and it’s much easier to encourage interaction in a familiar environment. In the end, we shot mostly in the backyard — a small patch of grass near a golf course. It’s not the location that takes center stage here — it’s the family. I can see their hearts on their sleeves and almost hear the giggles. Can you?