Peace, blessings, and love to you all. I don’t know about anyone else, but life has been a lot lately. Between caring for my brother during his recovery and juggling everything else on my plate, I’ve been reminded how important it is to slow down and make space for the moments that truly matter. Life will life regardless so finding joy in the midst of the chaos becomes a choice and a practice.
As the year comes to a close and we enter a season of rest, my little munchkin wanted to take some cozy photos to send our family a little light and love. So I dusted off my equipment and we created a mini photoshoot right at home with no rush, no pressure, just us playing, practicing, laughing, and making new memories together.
You don’t need a studio or anything fancy to create moments that last. Just a little intention, a little love, and the willingness to be present. Our at‑home shoot was simple, sweet, and full of joy and I’m sharing how we did it so you can do the same. No stress, no big budget… just you, your little ones, and a few creative touches.
Want the full checklist right away?
Download my exact at-home photoshoot prep checklist — the one I used to create these cozy, joy-filled shots with my little one.Includes a printable PDF + plain text version for Notes or Notion!
How You Can Do It Too
What You’ll Need:
- Natural Lighting: Morning or golden hour light from a nearby window works best.
- Fadeless Art Paper: We grabbed ours from Michaels for the backdrop.
- Your Outfits: Match, coordinate, or just go with what feels right.
- A Blank Wall: Choose a clean, clutter-free background or if not a wall you can cover.
- Lighting (Optional): A ring light or soft lamp if you're short on daylight.
- Tripod or Propped Phone: Use what you have! A stack of books works too.
- Camera or Phone: Your iPhone’s portrait mode is your bestie if you don’t have a professional camera.
- Pose Inspiration: Search Pinterest for “Mommy & Me” or “At-Home Photoshoot Poses.”
- Editing App: I love Lightroom Mobile for subtle edits or presets.
- Print Your Faves: Walgreens, Shutterfly, or Canva are great for turning these into cards or keepsakes.
These photos were such a joy to take, just simple, fun, and full of love. And though we don’t celebrate the holidays, this season is the perfect time to send love, light, and handwritten notes to our family, especially our elders, just to remind them they’re on our hearts. You can create the same kind of warmth and intention right at home, one photo and one moment at a time.
Want This Checklist For Yourself?
Ready to plan your own cozy, stress-free at-home photoshoot?
Grab the exact checklist I used to get these shots — including what to prep, what to wear, and how to capture it all with your phone.
- Includes a printable + a plain-text version for your Notes or Notion!
- Just drop your name + email below and it’ll be sent straight to your inbox!
Download Here
Copyright & Usage Notice
All images in this post are owned by Zak L. Grace | AuthenticallyZ and are protected under copyright law. These photos may not be copied, reproduced, edited, reposted, or used in any format without express written permission.
Unauthorized use may result in legal action. If you would like to collaborate or license imagery, please contact me directly for permission.
