Kids Don’t Remember the Décor: Why In-Home Family Photos Matter
- Meliza Orellana
- Nov 18
- 3 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
There’s something I notice in every home I walk into.
Parents worry about the décor. The clutter. The unfinished spaces. And yet, kids always go straight to the places where life actually happens.
The blanket they drag from room to room.The basket where their favourite toys live.The little square of floor where the light comes in just right on a winter morning.
Those are the spots that make the most meaningful family photos. Kids don’t remember the décor, they remember how it felt to grow up there.
Because kids don’t remember how styled a room was. They remember how it felt to grow up there.
It's not the decor: Why Your Home Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect for Beautiful Photos
Most parents imagine they need something “picture-ready” before booking an in-home session. But beautiful images don’t come from spotless spaces, they come from familiar ones.
Kids remember the feeling of home, not how perfectly it was styled
They remember sitting on the counter while you stirred pancake batter.They remember building Lego cities on the window ledge.They remember the way their favourite corner felt on a rainy day.
Those details (not décor) are what make photos meaningful years from now.
Real spaces create more natural interactions
When kids are in the places they already love, they relax.They play.They act like themselves.
And that is what photographs beautifully.
Why Winter Is One of the Best Times for In-Home Photos
Winter often gets overlooked, but it’s actually one of the most natural seasons for in-home storytelling.
Soft natural window light
Winter light comes in low and gentle, perfect for portraits that feel calming and honest.
You’re already at home more
Kids play indoors. Families settle into routines.The pace slows just enough for us to document it.
Your home becomes the backdrop for the season you’re living
The blankets, the routines, the toys... everything is exactly as your kids will remember it.
What Makes In-Home Storytelling Sessions So Meaningful
They preserve the “right now” of your family
Not the polished version.Not the special-occasion version.Just the everyday version your kids will want to remember.
They capture your child’s world as it truly is
Favourite toys. Favourite window. Favourite rhythms. These are the things that disappear over time. Unless you photograph them.
They allow you to be in the photos, not just behind the camera
You get to be present with your kids in the places they associate with you.
All You Really Need: Window Light + Their Favourite Toys
The two ingredients for beautiful in-home photos are simple:
1. A window
2. Whatever your kids naturally gravitate toward
Nothing else required. Not a perfect living room. Not a spotless kitchen. Not matching décor.
Just your real life. The same way your kids experience it every day.
Frequently Asked Questions About In-Home Sessions
Do I need a big home for in-home family photos?
Not at all. Some of the most beautiful images come from small, cozy spaces with one good window.
Do I need to clean before the session?
No deep clean needed. Light tidying is helpful, but the goal is to capture your real environment, not a staged one. I often shift things to the side or rearrange a little bit.
What if my home is dark?
You’d be surprised how much we can do with a single window. I photograph using natural light, and winter window light is especially beautiful.
Will my kids sit still for photos?
They don’t have to. In fact, movement and play are what make storytelling sessions feel true to you. They can jump on the bed, play hide and seek, play with their cars or Legos. The more playing that happens, the better!
I like to have a planned activity (that we discuss before hand) for the kids. We can setup a painting station, we can bake cookies, play in the backyard. You let me know! What activity would you plan with your kids?
Curious If an In-Home Session Would Work for Your Family?
If you’re wondering whether your home or your routines would photograph well, just reach out. My email is hello@melizaorellana.com. Tell me the room your kids play in the most, and how old your kids are, and I’ll send back a few ideas of the moments we can capture there.
Your home is already enough. I promise.
Get on the waitlist to book your own storytelling session with me. ↓
I’m Meliza Orellana, a Vancouver family photographer specializing in relaxed, storytelling sessions that celebrate real connection. I help families create meaningful portraits that feel calm, natural, and true to who they are. Based in Maple Ridge and serving Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland and beyond.
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