A Family Photo Session in the Backyard!

Would you ever consider a Family Photo Session in the Backyard!?! When most people think of having a family photo session they imagine having to get everyone dressed in new and coordinating but not matching outfits.

They also think of driving to a park with pretty scenery and crossing their fingers, and hoping their children will not get grass stains in the first three minutes all while begging everyone to please cooperate for the photographer. (yes this is a huge run-on sentence) This kind of session almost always includes [a lot of] stress for the parents.

Well, imagine this…

You let the kids pick out their own favorite outfits and you and Dad wear what you like and what you are comfortable in. And here is the best part, you do not leave your house! And even better, this does not include nearly as much stress! Imagine letting the kids play with their favorite toys while running around the backyard just being THEMSELVES! No begging or threatening for everyone to stay clean, smile and behave!

Yes!
This is a thing and this is the kind of family photo session that I LOVE and the kind that I specialize in!

I want everyone to have fun, to relax and to be themselves! I want your kids to wear their favorite shirt or superhero cape or tutu. I want them to run around and have fun! I want to capture their genuine smiles and personalities! I want to capture photos of your REAL LIFE filled with honest REAL LIFE moments!

Now, do not get me wrong, I think a photo session in the park in cute outfits can be a beautiful thing but I know this is not for everyone and I think it’s a good idea to try something different once in a while! Maybe you decide to do a portrait session one year and the following year you can consider trying a casual and fun photo session at your house!

I absolutely love that this Mom and Dad were on board for a casual and documentary style kind of Family Photo session! When Mom mentioned maybe just hanging out in the backyard for this year’s photos I said, “YES PLEASE! THAT IS A PERFECT IDEA!”. I have photographed this awesome and beautiful Pittsburgh Family since their oldest son was just a baby! I love that I get to hang out with them every year for a photo session!

When I arrived the two boys and their THREE DOGS came out to greet me! Within minutes I was [happy to be] covered in dog hair and slobber (I LOVE DOGS!!) and the kids were gearing up to show me their new go-cart! Dad had just built an awesome stone fireplace on the patio so that definitely called for smores and they had just planted a flower garden so the kids helped water it! I also photographed them playing on their swing set, riding scooters, climbing trees and much more!

Another perk to having photos at your home, we can include your furry “children”! This is a lot less stressful than taking one, two or three dogs to the park with the kids and praying that they all cooperate for photos! When the photo session is at your house everyone is more relaxed and less likely to act up or run off! So yes, of course I took a lot of photos of their dogs! This is so hard for me to even think about because our old dog passed away last summer, but their sweet pups are all seniors and they may not all be around a few years from now. This is another reason that I WANT your pets to be included in our photo session!

“I wanted to thank you again for the pictures you took this summer.  The picture of the boys standing against the wall eating their Popsicles is one I’ll treasure forever.  It captures this moment in our lives really perfectly.  ‘I’ is wearing his very favorite green tractor shirt with a big mark on it from something he ate or drank (who knows what) and ‘R’ is in a shirt that shows his true love for bacon (lol).  The picture just perfectly captures them, and our lives, in a way a posed picture never could.  I’m really thankful to you for taking these types of pictures and letting the boys really be themselves. Thank you!!!!!”

Enjoy this (large selection) of images from their Family Photo Session!

I am so glad this family chose to have their family photo session in the backyard!

I could have hung out with this fun family for days! I am really looking forward to our next session!

When you have a family photo session, it’s not just for you, it’s also for your children, and perhaps one day, their children! They will be able to look back on these photos and not only have memories of this day but memories of summertime during their magical childhoods! I’d love for you to consider a Family Photo Session in the Backyard!

Or click on over to see a gallery of my family images and to read more about my family sessions!

When was the last time you had family photos? 
What is holding you back from booking a session?

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~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~

Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in lifestyle and documentary family, newborn and Fresh 48 photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over nine years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in the O’hara Township, Oakmont, Fox Chapel, Harmar and Allison Park, PA.  Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!