Family photography at home – the week before ‘big school’
Why home is the perfect place for a family photoshoot, documenting everyday life before the next phase, and hiding in the food cupboard!
A family session at home is always such a great location choice, especially with younger children, little ones are usually happiest surrounded by all of their toys and familiar surroundings - and let’s face it, when the children are happy, the world is a better place and everyone can just relax and be themselves!
I just loved it when I arrived at this family home and straightaway got whisked around the house by the littlest one (who was apparently usually shy) proudly showing me all of her toys and favourite places. Instantly I was accepted into the family for the day to get stuck in, play games and watch things unfold. In this case it was the week before the eldest started big school, such an emotional time, but being at home was the perfect place to be.
Family homes are a brilliant backdrop for a photoshoot, filled with the warmth and character that tell stories about your family and the moment in time; little shoes strewn all over the hallway, the food cupboard that the children love to climb in (when mum isn’t looking), height charts and aeroplane beds before they are replaced with more grown up spaces, for dirty socks and teenage posters are all so lovely to look back on. Kitchens are always a hive of activity, with reminders of daily life, grocery lists, plans, certificates, and mugs that tell the story of each family member. The family home is a landscape of history, love, and the everyday moments that make up our lives, where every room has a story and feels uniquely like home.
Here’s a few of my favourites from this family photography session of play fights, drawing, reading books, playing in the garden, swings, bikes, baking, dancing and hiding in the food cupboard of course!
Spending time indoors, play flighting, reading books and drawing
Running around the garden, swings, getting the bikes out for a spin and piling up on mum!
Climbing in the food cupboard, baking and photo-bombing during the family portraits!
Time to go to big school…
Family Photography with Nic Shuttleworth
Nic Shuttleworth is a documentary family photographer based in Yorkshire UK capturing thoughtful stories full of warmth and personality. She strives to make real photographs of loved ones, families, and friendships that matter.
Documenting real-life moments as they unfold, nothing staged or contrived with forced smiles or saying “cheese” to the camera for what seems like an eternity.
Let’s capture the time of your lives.
Read more family stories in the Journal Gallery
Why home is the perfect place for a family photoshoot, documenting everyday life before the next phase, and hiding in the food cupboard!