What to Expect from a Housecraft Books Photoshoot
See those pictures above? The one on the left was shot by Jared Kuzia, a talented photographer hired to capture the interior decorator’s beautiful work and designs. It was taken right around the time when the family moved in. The photo on the right was taken by our photographer, Lyndsay Hannah. We captured what the girls’ study looks like today—lived in, used. Things get messy, then they get straightened, then they get messy again. Real life stuff. Both are gorgeous photos. They just have different purposes.
So… what is it actually like to participate in a Housecraft Books photo shoot?
That depends entirely on what you want to capture and who you want in the frame.
In some shoots, it’s a calm, quiet morning focused on architectural details, inherited china, art, and meaningful heirlooms. In others, we’re wrangling toddlers, getting 20-minute house tours from nine-year-olds, and racing ahead of our photographer to slide Amazon boxes out of sight. And playing with dogs. We love hanging out with your dogs!
During a recent shoot with a busy South End family, there was exactly a 15-minute window where all six members could be home at the same time between lacrosse games, sleepovers, and music lessons. We planned down to the minute so we’d be ready the second everyone walked through the door.
The goal was never a picture-perfect spread for a shelter magazine. It was to capture how this family actually lives right now: uniform jerseys, marker-stained knees, band-aids, and parents in their everyday weekend best.
Between our photographer Lyndsay, Nicole, and Shelby, we have eight kids of our own. We get the chaos, we love it, and we believe that your family's real life gives these pages their soul.
Come as you are. We’ll capture your home the same way.
A Few Tips to Prep (If You Want To)
No need to stage your life, but a quick sweep helps ensure the camera catches your favorite things rather than everyday clutter that might block the important stuff:
Anticipate the camera’s path: Take a quick walk through the house beforehand. Look up and down—is there stray clutter under the bed or covering the nightstands? Grab a laundry basket, toss in anything you don’t want documented, and shove it into your designated "Monica Closet" for the morning.
Check the sightlines: We love shooting from one room into the next. Stand in doorways and scan across rooms to clear away anything distracting along those angles.
Wear what feels like you: Choose clothes you and your kids feel comfortable moving in. If you feel relaxed, it shows on camera.
Consider a quick manicure: We often capture hands holding cherished books, keepsakes, and family treasures. If that’s on your shot list, fresh nails are a small detail clients are always glad they thought of ahead of time.
Ready to tell your home’s story? Get in touch to plan your shoot. Email hello@housecraftbooks.com
