A lot of people assume that my house must be filled with tons of bright corners and clean spots for photos. In actuality, my home is small, dark and cluttered with lots of important things. I love our home and I think it’s super-cozy and “us” — but it’s definitely not the most ideal place for photos.

So, how do I consistently and frequently get photos of my kids and family here? A lot of practice and a lot of routine.

Here’s tips for finding good light in your home for photos, too:

1. Follow the Light

Any spot can be ideal for photos if your subject is well-lit, evenly-lit and yet not looking into brightness. Consider following light from a large door or window. I love having my kiddos near (next to, not in front of) a window.

2. Try not to mix your light.

When at all possible, go all natural with your light, using those doors and windows. Try not to mix your ambient light with lamps and light bulbs — it’ll be inconsistent and you’ll see a lot of that yellow-y look into your images.

3. Find a clean background

I already told you how much I love mementos and keepsakes in my house, which makes it tricky to find a spot without a distracting backdrop. But, think of places that don’t have anything going on in the background. For us, that’s our cozy kitchen corner! I use it a lot. I also love our front porch — it feels warm without having too much going on. Any greenery is a great backdrop. Avoid pictures on the walls, lots of furniture, bold patterns, etc, in the background.

4. Keep it consistent

By recognizing the spots that work well, I can easily use a spot without wasting a lot of time setting things up. Sometimes, you have just a minute before someone loses their patience or it’s time to move on. And, if you spend that minute taking the photo instead of prepping for it, you’ll have a lot more success!

Happy Photo-taking! I hope this tips give you some great ideas for finding good light in your own home!