5 Reasons to Choose an In-Home Family Session
Featuring the Stumpf Family | Indianapolis, Indiana
Some of my favorite sessions happen right at home—the place where your family feels most like themselves. The laughter is louder, the hugs come easier, and the moments unfold naturally. That’s exactly what made the Stumpf family’s backyard session in Indianapolis so special.
Priscilla and Charlie have been together for 18 years, married for 13, and their connection is beautifully effortless. Their home radiates warmth—filled with the sound of laughter, little feet running through the grass, and the joy that comes with raising four wonderful kids: Gretel, Calvin, Agnes, and Liesel. Their summer session captured everything I love about in-home family photography: a story told through play, love, and everyday life.
Here are five reasons why you’ll fall in love with the idea of staying home for your next family session, too.
1. It’s Where Everyone Feels Most Comfortable
There’s something about home that brings out the best in everyone. Your kids don’t have to warm up to a new space—they already know exactly where to go and what they love to do. They can swing, run barefoot, and twirl in their favorite dresses, just like the Stumpf kids did that warm summer day.
When families feel at ease, genuine emotion naturally follows. Charlie and Priscilla’s kids took turns chasing each other with the hose, hula-hooping in the driveway, and collapsing into laughter on the front steps. These are the moments that would be impossible to recreate anywhere else, and they’re what make at-home sessions so meaningful.
2. It’s the Perfect Way to Tell Your Family’s Story
Every home carries a family’s history—those tiny details that might feel ordinary now but will mean everything later. The way the evening light hits your front porch, the flowers your kids helped plant, the swing set that’s seen a hundred summer nights… these small, familiar details add depth and personality to your photos.
For the Stumpfs, their red brick home and sprawling yard were the perfect backdrop. We documented everything from the kids racing across the grass to quiet snuggles on the steps surrounded by blooms. Gretel and Agnes read together on the deck, while Calvin explored the garden with his usual curiosity, and little Liesel giggled on the swing set. Each photo reflected a piece of their family rhythm — energetic, creative, and full of heart.
These everyday backdrops are what transform a simple photo session into a living time capsule. Maybe it’s the chalk art on your driveway or the climbing vine that’s grown taller each summer — the kind of details that seem small now but one day will remind you exactly what this season of life felt like.3. The Session Flows Naturally
When you’re home, there’s no need to force smiles or poses. You just be. And that’s when the magic happens. In-home sessions allow space for authenticity, and for kids to explore and parents to relax.
During the Stumpfs’ session, no one was worried about “what to do next.” One moment, the kids were watering plants with mom; the next, they were swinging side by side, giggling uncontrollably. The rhythm of real life became the rhythm of the session—and that’s exactly what I aim to capture.
4. It Turns Ordinary Moments Into Extraordinary Memories
Sometimes the most beautiful images come from the simplest activities. A round of chalk art, a water balloon fight, a popsicle break on the porch—these are the moments that tell your family’s story best.
When I look back at the Stumpf family session, I see joy in every frame. I see Charlie’s easy grin as he sprayed the hose into the air, Priscilla’s laughter as she danced barefoot through puddles, and their kids squealing with pure happiness. None of it was staged, and that’s exactly what made it perfect.
5. It’s a Visual Love Letter to Your Family Right Now
In-home family photos give you the gift of remembering your real life—the toys in the background, the mismatched outfits, the way your child’s hair curled in the humidity that day. Years from now, those details will mean more than you can imagine.
The Stumpf family’s gallery feels like a time capsule of love and laughter. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence. And that’s what makes sessions like these so timeless.
Your home doesn’t have to be spotless or styled—it just has to be yours. That’s where the real magic happens.
If you’ve ever felt that tug to document your family in the space where your memories are made, I promise: there’s no better backdrop.
The Heart Narrative | Indianapolis Family Photographer
Photographer: Lauren Lewis
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Lauren Lewis is a Sheridan, Indiana-based lifestyle photographer specializing at in home documentary style family photography. Serving Carmel, Cicero, Indianapolis, Noblesville, Westfield, Sheridan, Zionsville, and the surrounding areas.
Are you ready to book your in-home family session? Whether it’s a cozy morning of pancakes or an evening of backyard play, I’d love to document your family story—just as it is. Fill out my contact form, and let’s marvel in your messy.
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