Want your home camera‑ready without the stress? This post shares a simple room‑by‑room checklist like hiding clutter with a laundry basket, choosing meaningful spots, letting in soft natural light, and setting up favorite keepsakes or activities. No deep-cleaning required!
Two things families think the most about when preparing for their in-home photo session is 1) what to wear and 2) how to prepare their home. In my previous post "What to Wear for Your Family Photos," I've discussed how to coordinate outfits and what clothing items to avoid. In this post, I'll discuss how to quickly and easily prepare your home for your session.
Don't worry, you don't need to hire a housecleaning service nor do you need to spend hours cleaning! What a relief, right?!
Importance of Tidying Up
Before Your In-Home Photo Session
The goal is not to eliminate evidence of living in the home but to eliminate items or details that will pull attention away from you and your family. This visual clutter is picked up by the camera and can distract us from the true subjects of the photo: you and your wonderful family.
Take a few moments to survey each room. What don’t you want in the pictures? Look for items that tend to collect on night stands and coffee tables: water bottles, charging cables, remote controls, Kleenex, piles of mail, and other such items. Clear it all away.
Seriously. Grab a laundry basket. Toss in the items. Hide the basket in the closet. Done! Took two minutes, right?
Need a bit more guidance? You're in the right place! My home photography preparation checklist is here to help.
Key Areas to Declutter
for Your In-Home Photo Session
The good news is that you only need to tidy up the areas with good lighting that will be used during your session. This likely means you can skip cleaning the bathrooms! Instead you should focus on the kitchen, bedroom (including nursery or kids room), and living room.
Preparing for Your In-home Photo Session: A Room By Room Checklist
Kitchen
Counters
⬜ Take everything off the counters that you wouldn't want to show in a photo.
This likely includes:
⬜ dish scrubber / sponge
⬜ dishes in the sink
⬜ drying rack
⬜ small appliances like a toaster or blender
⬜ Wipe down the counter to remove food bits and fingerprints
Table
⬜ Clear off completely, especially if your session includes playing games or enjoying a snack
⬜ Wipe down the counter to remove food bits and fingerprints
Refrigerator
⬜ Is the top of your fridge covered with items? If so, clear it off.
⬜ Do you have magnets, grocery lists, restaurant menus, a calendar, or other items on your fridge?
⬜ Clear off any distracting items that you do not want in your images.
⬜ Displaying kids' artwork adds a sentimental timestamp to images
In this sweet image, the mixer and baking supplies contribute to the story being captured, so it's appropriate for these items to remain on the counter.
A clean table creates a nice shiny surface that allows a beautiful little reflection to the image!
Tip: Consider arranging a small vase of flowers or a small plant to add color and interest to your space.
Bedroom
Bed
⬜ Make the bed
⬜ Fluff the pillows
Nightstands & Dressers
⬜ Clear off completely. This includes:
⬜ alarm clocks, charging cables, Kleenex boxes, water bottles
⬜ Lamps, a small stack of books, or 1-2 personal items can add meaning to your images
Mirrors
⬜ Wipe down to remove any spots or fingerprints
Closet / Bathroom Doors
⬜ Remember all those items that you removed from the nightstand and dresser? Toss them in a laundry basket and hide them in the closet or bathroom. Close the door. Done!
A quick removal of the water bottle, book, and Kleenex, as well as swapping out the flat squishy pillows for larger firm pillows create a tidier backdrop for family photos.
Tip: If you have a bright or bold colored comforter, consider stripping the bed down to the white sheets. Bold colors can cast colors. Can you see the red cast on the walls in the sample images? The same will happen to your skin!
Living Room
Couch
⬜ Fluff the pillows
⬜ Add throw pillows or that blanket grandma made for a pop of color or a touch of nostalgia
End Tables / Coffee Table
⬜ Clear off completely. This includes:
⬜ remote controls, charging cables, Kleenex boxes, baby bottles, coffee cups, etc.
⬜ Lamps, a small stack of books, or 1-2 personal items can add meaning to your images
Mirrors
⬜ Wipe down to remove any spots or fingerprints
Closet / Bathroom Doors
⬜ Remember all those items that you removed from the end tables and coffee table? Grab another laundry basket, toss them in, and hide them the closet or bathroom. Close the door. Done!
Favorite toys should be left out to be included in the session!
Tip: Gather special items like that stuffed animal your child can't sleep without, her favorite book, his soft fuzzy baby blanket, your husband's guitar, grandpa's model car, or other sentimental items that you'd like to include in your session.
Lighting
Windows
⬜ Open up all curtains and blinds - let in all that natural light!
⬜ White sheer panels can be kept in place as they beautifully soften incoming light
Overhead Lights & Lamps
⬜ Turn them all OFF
⬜ Natural light from windows and artificial light from bulbs are never the same color. Mixing these different types of light creates yellow and blue tones that never look right on skin.
In-Home Photo Session
Key Preparation Takeaways:
Deep cleaning is not necessary but tidying up is a must! Grab a laundry basket and quickly clear clutter from the rooms we'll use during our session. Not sure what to keep and what to remove? Here's a simple guide:
Ask yourself:
- "What items do I NOT want in the photos?"
Think about items like water bottles, charging cables, magnets, bright colored toys or objects, trash cans, etc. Quickly toss these into a laundry basket and hide it in a bathroom or closet.
- What precious items DO I WANT in my photos?
Consider things like stuffed animals, favorite books, family heirlooms, and musical instruments. Place these meaningful items in key locations around your home so that they can be included in the background or to be used during the session.
- What ACTIVITIES do I want captured during this session?
Is it baking cookies, reading your child's favorite book, slow dancing with your spouse, or snuggling with a cozy blanket? Have those items ready to go and set up before I arrive.
A Few More Tips:
- Turn off all overhead lights and lamps.
- Open up curtains and blinds to let in natural light.
- Close any closet and bathroom doors for a clean background.
This will help ensure that we get the best shots and make your home look as welcoming and cozy as possible.
