Lea Jones, Boston family photographer - What is the best location for my family photo session?
When you enquire for a photoshoot, one of the first questions I will ask is where would you like to do this photoshoot? do you have anything in mind?
There are three categories of locations:
In and around your home.
In a studio.
on location.
All three of these locations offer their own advantages, and I thought i’d just write little bit about each location, so that you can make a choice based o n your family and your needs.
In and around your home:
In home session are comfortable: kids and partner will feel at ease and will be more relaxed. Kids will have their favourite toy available which can be included in the session or their favourite book. Bathroom and change of clothes are readily available for younger ones and so are snacks.
When we do a session in your home, it is much easier to include pets. I love pet and it is just so easy to include them when your session is in your home.
This little pup just wanted to be in very photo. You can see more of this newborn session in Boston here.
An in home session allows you to document your home, the place where most of your memories are created, and showcase the favourite corners of your house, your favourite chair, toy, bookshelve or plant you have so tenderly cared for.
Your style will shine through your photos, it will look like YOU, and reflect your family’s personality.
I love a traditional front door/ porch portrait, they are usually my favorite of the session. They take less than 2 and half minutes and just require a quick smile.
This family , located close to Boston, was thinking of painting their house and I am not sure if they have done it yet, but one day they will say: remember when our house was bright yellow? I personally LOVE the yellow and might have begged them to keep it that way :)
No weather issues: yes that’s a big reason when you live in Boston or anywhere in New England! You can book one all year round. NO need to wait for spring or summer, no dealing with bugs or rescheduling because of rain or snow.
How to prepare your home :
You don’t need to spend hours cleaning and tidying your home. It’s best if you choose 2/3 places in your home that have the most light and focus on making those corners clutter free (just hide the clutter in another room) and maybe bring in a pillow or a throw that will match your outfits, or bring in a plant for some greenery. You can sit on the floor, on a bench, on a couch or a bed.
Try to pick corners that have the most light, with windows that are not blocked by trees and buildings.If you don’t have a lot of natural light, don’t panic, I can bring my lights in or we can focus on making cozy images.
In studio:
I wrote a blog post as to why I love studio sessions, with photos that will show you what a studio session looks like. Studios are located in Boston Massachusetts or Millville Rhode Island. Check it out here. The main reasons for shooting in a studio are:
There is beauty in simplicity. Just you and your family enjoying each other, without clutter or distractions. The studio makes it easier to focus on connection within your family.
The timeless style of studio images, once printed, become beautiful pieces of art that you will be proud to show off. The light is consistent and even, the weather is always perfect. Spring, summer, winter, fall, rain, fog, wind, freezing cold, mid-day sunshine, humid buggy day, everyone stays comfortable and happy.
They are efficient. 45 minutes is all we need to create a beautiful gallery of images with a great variety of poses and combinations.
Studio sessions are intimate. Being photographed puts us in a vulnerable position, and some of us don't always appreciate being outside in a public place.
you don’t need to prepare your home, you can leave a complete mess at home, and look fabulous at the studio. No one will ever know.
This couple was totally able to just focus on each other and the joy of welcoming their daughter in to this world.
and this little chap who is just completely in love with his mama didn’t have any distraction except focusing on her.
I offer two studio locations at the moment. One in Boston and one in Millville MA (on the border with RI). The Boston studio is located in Allston and is a beautifully renovated old mill with high ceilings and big windows. The Millville studio is an old colonial home renovated in that gorgeous simple style I love so much. Beautiful floors, high ceilings, big windows, white walls. Studio sessions happen on Saturday mornings. This is just a quick ride from STURBRIDGE where I am based.
On location photo session.
The family pictured above, chose their hometown as the location of their outdoor session. We got some images in front of their home and then we walked through town and went to their favourite spots, where they like to relax and recharge. We stayed outdoors and the session was perfect.
We are blessed with so many beautiful locations in Massachusetts . It can be on the Pier in Boston, or on the famous Beacon Hill, one of Boston most famous corners. It can be in a friend’s garden or in my favourite field on top of a hill. It can in the Meadows, or the beach or by a lake. I will chat with you about the location path you have in mind and prefer! The only thing I look for is that the light is good: I LOVE to get some beautiful golden light at sunset.
Why an outdoor session:
An outdoor sessions showcases our beautiful New England seasons: every season is gorgeous: who doesn’t love some beautiful foliage in their photos? or late summer flowers? or early spring blooms?
Outdoor family sessions can be a lot of fun. Take your family to a local beach and turn it into a fun excursion for everyone. Just as this family did on beach South of Boston.
There is nothing like beautiful evening light. The light changes as the session unfolds, and will highlight you family like nothing else. Check out this session is you want to see what I mean!
Outdoor sessions allow for a great variety of poses and backgrounds.
if you have location that you love? just let me know and can I check it out and let you know if I believe it’s a good spot to do a session. It usually is. Jennifer and her family also invited me to their home to document life on the beach behind their house.
Léa is a Boston area family photographer
who loves to create magic with her camera. Her photography is simple and genuine. Her down to earth approach will put your at ease in the first few minutes of the session. Léa will help you to relax so that she can bring out those sweet and authentic moments. Léa established her photography business in 2016, and has been working with families in the Boston area since then. She is a published photographer, who frequently travels to Europe and particularly France where she originally comes from.
