Birthday balloons and pillow on couch during Grafton lifestyle session.

Grafton in-home lifestyle session + birthday celebration + cake smash all in one! That’s a lot of keywords!

I sometimes think about what it must be like to be a photographer in Florida, Arizona, or California—because here in New England, once the last leaf falls, most people retreat into the warmth of their homes. For those of us who spend our springs, summers, and falls rushing between weddings, golden-hour family sessions, and senior portraits, the sudden silence of winter can lull us into a false sense of peace as we X out of Photoshop and collapse.

And then, of course, the bills keep coming. We remember that we still have a business to run—and that people still want to document their families, just in a different way.

Heya reached out to me a little while ago to celebrate her daughter’s first birthday. This session took place in Grafton, MA, and with freezing winter temperatures outside, an indoor lifestyle family session made the most sense. While I’m based in Worcester, MA, I photograph families throughout Central Massachusetts, and winter sessions like this are some of my favorites.

If you don’t see me going on and on about lifestyle sessions on social media (or you don’t follow me there 👀), you might not know why I love these sessions so much. Before diving into photography as a business, I worked as a photojournalist, and I got a lot of joy out of documenting real stories.

I love outdoor family sessions around Worcester and always incorporate documentary elements, but lifestyle photography is a different kind of experience altogether. At its core, it is documentary photography. This session relied almost entirely on prompts that encouraged genuine interaction. I gave light direction when I wanted something specific, but for the most part, I simply documented how this family spent time together—music, books, and a whole lot of happiness.

Family playing music during a lifestyle session in Grafton.

Like all lifestyle sessions, this one took place in the space where everyone felt most comfortable: home. Their newly one-year-old had her favorite toys and books close by, and music clearly plays a big role in their lives. Instruments were scattered around, ready to be picked up, played, and enjoyed.

The session was full of great conversation and great energy—and I really think that comes through in the photos. If you’re considering a winter family photography session in Worcester, Grafton, or the surrounding area, an in-home lifestyle session is a relaxed and meaningful way to document this season of life.

Here are a few of my favorites in photo-essay form.