Why We Chose an In-Home Family Session in Bulverde, TX

My family had the sweetest in-home session with Jordan Mitchell Photography at our home in Bulverde, TX. The entire experience was wonderful, and completely changed the way I view family portraits. As a photographer myself, I’ve spent the past two years feeling a huge pull toward in-home sessions for my own clients, but I wanted to fully experience what that feels like from the other side of the camera. I’m now convinced more than ever that in-home family sessions are such a meaningful way to document any season of life.

I typically photograph newborn sessions at client’s homes, but not so much for family sessions. My own experience left me wondering why in-home family sessions aren’t more popular. I can say after my own experience, I will be encouraging others to consider an in-home family session regardless of how old your kids are.

Why We Chose an In-Home Family Session

When I saw that Jordan was going to be in my area last summer, I immediately reached out and coordinated a session for the fall. I have always admired the way her in-home imagery feels so intimate and honest. You don’t just see her portraits, you can feel them. I knew I wanted meaningful and intimate portraits for our own family photos this year, and she absolutely delivered! Before the session started, my sweet friend Suzanne, owner of Suzanne Syrek Artistry, did my hair and makeup. She is the best and I always offer her services to all my moms when they ask for hair and makeup with their portraits.

The Session Experience: Relaxed, Real, and So Us

One of the biggest benefits of an in-home session is the level of comfort. The photographer comes to you. Your kids are in their safe space, which allows everyone to feel more relaxed. No one is stressed about getting somewhere on time or keeping everyone clean during the car ride.

My girls were wildly hyper in the beginning! They were showing off, jumping around, and doing anything they could to impress Jordan. I truly thought Matilda would need time to warm up, but she took right to her! Watching them interact and seeing their personalities shine reminded me why kids thrive during in-home sessions: they’re more confident in a familiar environment.

Our whole session flowed so smoothly. Jordan gently led when needed, followed the girls’ cues, and captured real moments that felt like us, just living and loving in the place we spend most of our days, and where we love to be.

Now, Let’s Talk About the House Being Clean…

This was probably the only “con,” and I know it is something my clients worry about. I always reassure my clients that they don’t need to clean their whole house; however, I found myself falling into that trap as well, thinking everything needed to be clean, but honestly, it didn’t! When I received the images back, I realized how little that mattered. I could have gotten away with just tidying up the spaces I knew we would photograph in, which is the advice I give to my own clients. Looking back, I can confirm that I should have taken my own advice and I did not need to clean the whole house like I did! Not only did it add extra stress, but it didn’t matter at all.

Just know that as I write this, I am talking to myself too! Light matters. Comfort matters. Connection matters. But, the state of your baseboards – not so much.

For the session I picked three spots in my home that I knew had remarkable lighting, and if I could do it again, I’d simply tidy those rooms and maybe coordinate my cleaning service around the session a little better! Truly, a tidy corner and beautiful natural light is all you need.

The Meaning Behind In-Home Photos

What I love most about our photos is the intimacy. These portraits were taken in our home where I’m raising my babies – well, now my young little girls. It’s the one place they feel completely themselves and it’s their favorite place to be. Which is why these photos are so meaningful to me. I can look at the photos and see their joy and relaxed state. I can feel the love in every photo.

For this in-home family session, I also released myself from the pressure of worrying about what would look best on a Christmas card. Instead, I focused on what felt most meaningful. At the end of the day, these are our family photos. The photos are for us, our memories, and for the girls to look back on and remember the home they grew up in.

However, they are definitely still going to look adorable on our Christmas card. Total win!

I’m already counting down to our next in-home session, which will likely be in our garden. We’ve worked so hard on our garden area this year and I am so excited to document memories out in our yard. Now that we’ve experienced an in-home family session ourselves, I don’t think I’ll ever choose an outdoor session at a different location again unless there’s a special reason.

In-home sessions hold such special meaning that can’t be recreated anywhere else. The images that result from in-home lifestyle sessions are real, as they are rooted in your daily life, capturing the heart of your family in a way that feels timeless.