Have you started planning your new home photo shoot yet?
It might not be quite as important as selecting your new home, securing financing, and reviewing your home inspection. But it’s probably a whole lot more fun!
For anyone new to the new home photo shoot concept: it’s like engagement photos, but for a new home. It’s a fantastic way to commemorate the milestone of purchasing a new home and share the moment with your friends, family, and followers.
And those photos make the perfect housewarming party invitations!
So today we’re going to look at some picture perfect ideas for your new home photo shoot.
Statistically-speaking, most buyers are a couple plus a kid or two. But these ideas can all be adjusted to work for you and whatever your current family happens to be. Add some pets, add or subtract kids, throw in some friends. It can just be you and your Xbox if that’s where you’re at 🙂
Feel free to pass this list along to your photographer so he or she knows to get these shots!
10. Jumping for joy on the front lawn
It’s the go-to group photo. Everyone jump for joy on the count of three…
When it works, the resulting picture is fun and energetic. When it doesn’t (is it really so hard for everyone to jump at the same time?!), the resulting picture is hilarious!
Either way, jumping for joy on the front lawn gives you a great image of your family in front of your new home.
9. Carrying each other over the threshold
There are so many brilliant variations on the traditional custom of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold (although that classic moment makes a lovely picture!).
You can adapt this moment to your family with your unique personalities. Maybe girl-gives-boy-piggyback-ride over the threshold. Or mom somehow carries all three kids over the threshold!
Or one partner carries the pet over the threshold while the other partner watches on in disbelief at being left out.
Make the moment as sweet or as silly as your family is.
8. Chasing the kids / pets / each other around the house
If you have small kids or pets, what’s the first thing they do in a new place? They run around and check it out, right?
Up the energy level by giving chase, and you’ll create a sweet family moment. A perfect start to your new adventures in this new home.
Just give the photographer a heads-up so he or she can be ready for some action shots!
7. With the moving boxes
A portrait-style photo with a few moving boxes (real or empty props!) is quick and easy. And it makes the perfect photo for your Change of Address postcards.
Just imagine your “We Moved” postcard notices with a picture of you surrounded by moving boxes. It’s so simple and such a great fit for custom Change of Address announcements.
And, again, you have so many options to make the shot your own. You could just be sitting on the floor in front of a few boxes. Or peeking out from behind stacks of boxes. Or carrying boxes up the stairs.
6. Framed by the front door
Another classic, simple shot! I just love the silhouette images of couples standing inside the entry hall, staring into each other’s eyes, backlit by the open front door.
For a full family shot, you could have everyone facing out the front door (away from the camera), either holding hands or with parents holding kids.
5. Any special ceremonies
Many families have their own lovely traditions for a new home. Some families bow their heads in thanks for their new home and prayers for their new lives there. Some families burn sage around the house to cleanse it. Some families plant a tree in the yard.
I’ve even seen a couple put their handprints in paint on the mailbox ala Carl and Ellie in Disney’s Up.
Or you could go the highly-practical route: run through your new home maintenance checklist with your photographer following along. Check the smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors, find your breaker box and water shut-off valve, check your HVAC filters, and change your locks!
If you have any special ceremonies you’d like to do to make the house “yours”, make sure it’s captured in the new home photo shoot.
4. Pointing out the flaws “character”
Don’t shy away from any not-so-wonderful things about your new home. They can create some of the happiest memories of your new home. And some opportunities for truly hilarious photos.
Pretend to be blinded by the obnoxious paint color. Get a few shots of you and your family pulling off some ancient wallpaper or ripping up some terrible carpeting. Or apprehensively walking down the stairs to the creepy basement.
With all the things that can be less-than-ideal in a new home, the photo ops are endless! And when you look back at those 20 years from now, a flood of warm memories will rush in.
3. Popping the cork
Buying a new home is one of life’s greatest celebratory moments! If ever there was a good time to pop the cork on a bottle of champagne, this is it!
Cork-popping makes great photos. As does pouring each other glasses of champagne and toasting your new home and your future life there.
I’ve also seen photos of kids popping a bottle of sparkling cider and pouring it into little plastic flutes for their siblings. Needless to say, it was adorable.
Bonus points if you bring confetti and get some shots tossing confetti in the air while popping the champagne.
2. Dancing around an empty room
Action shots of your family dancing around an empty room is another opportunity to showcase your unique style.
The traditional take on this idea is a couple waltzing and spinning together. And that makes for a beautiful photo. Or daughter standing on dad’s toes. Awww…
But there’s also something to be said for “cabbage-patch”-ing, “running-man”-ing, or “Gangnam-style”-ing.
1. Picnic on the living room floor
Some couples lay out a romantic picnic lunch with a baguette, cheese, and fruit. So charming, and so sophisticated.
And some families open a box of donuts and pour some milk. Also completely charming in a totally different way.
Just schedule this shot for the very end of your shoot so you can take some time to actually enjoy this first meal in your new home.
But that’s not all…
While the photographer’s there, ask for a few “details” shots. You know those wedding photos that feature just the shoes or just the flowers? Those can be really charming at a new home shoot as well.
Here are just a few ideas:
- The house keys on the counter, mantel, or window sill
- The open front door
- A custom welcome mat (“Welcome to the Johnson Family Home, established 2018”)
- Any unique features: a clawfoot tub, bay window, or fireplace
- Any especially lovely fixtures: antique lighting, vintage appliances, or a charming mailbox
- An envelope with your family name and address beautifully written across the front
I hope this post has given you some picture-perfect ideas for your new home photo shoot. Or inspired you to come up with some brilliant ideas of your own!
If you’ve just started looking for your new home, call or email me. I love helping buyers find their new homes and would be honored to work with you!