HOME MATERNITY SESSION WITH A BUSY TWO YEAR OLD
Some sessions are calm because everything goes perfectly.
This one was calm because we built it around real life.
Tina and Pouya have a two year old, so we photographed the session at their house. That meant no rushing, no big travel mission, and no trying to keep a toddler happy in a random location. We could bring him in for the photos we wanted, then let him go back to his toys while we kept going.
Why we chose to shoot at home
When there’s a little child involved, the goal is not “control”. The goal is rhythm.
Home makes that easy:
- your child has their own space and toys
- snacks and breaks are simple
- no pressure to perform in public
- we can move fast when the moment is there
It also helped Tina relax. She could take a breath between sets, change outfits easily, and we could keep the session moving without stress.
Part 1: Dark and moody, editorial style
Tina sent me a few reference images before the session, so we built the first set around that look.
I set up studio lighting in the lounge with a backdrop, and we went for a darker, more editorial feel. Stronger shadows, more shape, and a slower pace. This part is all about the feeling of the season, not big smiles.
Part 2: Light and bright, soft and simple
Next we shifted the setup for a brighter look. Same home, same relaxed pace, totally different feel.
This part is softer and more open. It works well when you want something gentle and timeless.
Part 3: Outside for natural light, still keeping it simple
To finish, we took the backdrop outside and used natural light. That gave us a fresh look without needing to travel anywhere.
It was the best of both worlds:
- natural light and greenery
- a clean, simple background
- toddler can still come and go easily
Bringing their two year old in and out
This was the secret sauce.
We didn’t force him to be “on” the whole time. We grabbed a few moments with him when he was interested, then let him disappear back into play. That’s how you get genuine interactions without everyone getting stressed.
A quick note if you’re planning something similar
If you’ve got a toddler and you’re worried they’ll “ruin” the session, they won’t. They’ll make it honest.
The goal is not perfect behaviour.
The goal is connection.
Tina and Pouya, thanks for letting me create this with you. What a beautiful chapter to document.
