Mahncke Park In-Home Family Session

There’s something truly timeless and special about in-home family sessions. Capturing your family in the spaces you spend the most time are the memories that anchor a season of life. For the Bell Family, their gorgeous outdoor porch and beautiful living room were the main areas of the home, but the focal point of this Mahncke Park in-home family session was this sweet family and their heartwarming connection.

When Kaylee and I first discussed an at-home session, I knew their front porch had to be part of the story. Kaylee and her husband recently poured so much love and time into sprucing up their front porch area before our session day arrived, knowing they also wanted their session to take place there where they spend so much of their time.

The couple painted, sanded, landscaped and truly transformed it into the sweetest little hangout space. Kaylee told me it had been on the to-do list for a while, and booking the session was the perfect push to finally make it happen.

We spent time out there letting the boys play, cuddle with mom and dad, and just be themselves. From giggles on the steps to sticky fingers from ice cream sandwiches (a summer must-have in this family!), every little moment felt like a celebration of everyday life. And honestly, that is exactly what I want for all my in-home sessions.

I want to capture you and your family doing what you would be doing if I wasn’t there. In fact, I typically ask families this one question before an in-home session: “What would y’all be doing on a Saturday together as a family?”

The answer to that question becomes our session roadmap. It turns your session into something that’s not only fun and relaxed, but personal. For the Bells, that looked like playtime, ice cream, and a living room dance party! When you look back years from now at the photos, it’s not just about the poses – it’s about the love and memories, and most importantly, the perfectly imperfect Saturday morning in your favorite place with your favorite people.

We also made sure to capture moments that make up this season of life for the Bells, like the youngest’s love for Thomas the Train (peep the iconic blue engine!), and the cozy spots around their home where they spend most of their time. The end result? Joy-filled images of a family that are beautiful, heartfelt, and real. There were SO many wonderful and sweet spots in their home and I already have ideas brewing for our next session together!