Let me in your houses, I beg - there is so much beauty there.

I am not kidding, everyone thinks that they need to go to a fancy studio or outside in beautiful nature to get their pictures done. While I agree that both the studio and outside have it's place in photography portraits, there is really something special about being in your own home. It is... well... organic.

I have lived in 15 different homes in my life so far and each home holds so many dear memories. I remember each home and with the memories - milestones from my life. It is where we get sayings like "if these walls could talk - oh the stories they would tell!" Our homes are not just places for us to exist in, they are places where we 'nest,' where we are safe to explore, and grow. It is the place we hit our heads down to our pillows, rest, and recharge. It is where we have deep conversations, figure out problems,where we laugh and grow - live and love. Home is where the heart is.

To document us in our most cherished environment is obviously a sure recipe for success. It has it's immediate rewards - your family images - but down the road, it will have more rewards than you can imagine. The "Oh! I remember when we used that room for these toys - or "Remember that paint and this piece of furniture?" "Oh! she was so little and I remember thinking then she was so much older, etc."

If you haven't had a lifestyle shoot - I promise, they are wonderful. You don't have to have a 'model' home either. You just need you and your family and some time to be yourselves. Just as it is when we are at a studio or outdoors, I guide the session lightly and move in the direction it flows naturally. It always turns out how it is meant to.

Here is a beautiful gallery of images from a sweet morning that I spent at this precious families home. The goal was to get the children playing naturally while also focusing on her for her 'one' year images.

Christina is a photographer based in Naperville, serving clients in the Chicagoland area since opening her photography business in 2009. Focusing primarily on Children, newborns, and families portraits sessions- she enjoys lifestyle sessions, home-based sessions, for inside and the world for outside sessions. To discuss and schedule your photography session, please email: christina@christinamichellephotography.com or call (773)680-9369