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Can We Take Photos Outside During Our Newborn Session? Moon Township Photographer

Short answer: yes, absolutely!

Although the majority of your newborn session will take place inside your home, we can step outside for some photos! Inside is where we’ll capture most of the cozy and sometimes chaotic real-life moments that happen naturally in your space, but if the weather is nice and the light is right, stepping outside for a few photos can be a fun addition to your gallery!

A family of five poses outside a house; in the adjacent photo, a young blond boy in a striped shirt smiles at the camera on the brick walkway.


Depending on your home and the light (I try to avoid bright direct sunlight, especially with a newborn), we can take photos on the front porch or stoop, a back deck, or in the yard. You don’t need a perfectly manicured space or Pinterest-worthy landscaping. We’re not trying to create something fancy here. We’re just giving your story a little more space to unfold and I love to include your exterior in some photos! Especially if your current home is not your forever home. You and your kids will love to see images of what their home looked like when they were little!

A young child with short blond hair smiles at the camera, standing on a brick walkway in front of a blue door with shutters, capturing the charm often sought by a newborn photographer.


Sometimes I begin the session outside, sometimes we save it for the end of the session, and sometimes we do it right in the middle of the session! It can depend on a few factors, like where the light falls, the ages of the kids, or the weather. For this session, we decided to start outside before the sunlight became too strong in front of the house. The light was beautiful, the older boys had energy to burn, and their equally energetic golden retriever got to join in, which I loved. Including dogs in your session is always welcome, and outdoor photos often make that easier.

Three photos: two young boys sit on brick steps, a woman—perhaps a newborn photographer—holds a baby beside a small boy on a brick path, and a toddler stands alone on the path in a yard.


Photos outside the home tend to feel a little more candid and energetic. They often bring out big sibling personalities, too. That fresh air seems to help, especially with toddlers and preschoolers who are ready to run the show. Even just walking out the door gives everyone a little boost.

Two young boys sit on brick steps in front of a house with a large golden retriever. Inset image shows the same dog sitting on green grass.


If you’re wondering whether your porch or yard will “photograph well,” don’t stress about it. I’m always looking for good light more than the perfect background. A set of front steps, a patch of shade in the yard, or even just standing near your front door can work beautifully.

You don’t need to clean your porch or mow your lawn just for me. I’ve photographed plenty of newborns with bikes, balls, and sidewalk chalk scattered nearby. That’s life with little ones, and I’m here for all of it.

Two young boys sit on brick steps in front of a blue door; one hugs a large brown dog, while the other sits beside them.


So if it’s warm enough, we’ll step outside for a few. If it’s not, we’ll stay in and make beautiful images there. Either way, we’ll document this season in a way that feels real and true to your family.

Now enjoy these outside images with this adorable family that just welcomed a baby sister! We allowed the boys and their doggo some time to run and goof around while mom and dad watched from the stoop. Then I managed to get the boys to sit and stand with Mom and Dad for some photos before we headed back in.

A family with two young children and a dog sit and play together on the front steps of a house with blue shutters.
A family of four and a dog sit and stand on the brick steps of a house with white siding, blue shutters, and two bushes on either side of the entrance.
A family of five sits on the brick steps of a house with blue shutters; two adults and a baby are seated, while two young children play in front.
A family of four sits on the front steps of a house with blue shutters, while a brown dog walks by on the lawn.
A family of five and a golden retriever pose on the brick steps in front of a white house with blue shutters and shrubs on either side.
A man and woman stand in front of a house holding three young children, posing for a family photo on a brick porch with plants and blue shutters.
A man and woman stand outside a house with blue shutters, holding two young children and a baby, all looking at the infant.
A family of five stands outside a house with blue shutters; two adults hold three young children, smiling and interacting together.
A family of five stands outside a house; a woman, captured by a newborn photographer, holds a baby, while a man holds two young children beside her.
A man and woman stand in front of a house with three young children, posing for a family photo on a brick porch.


Here are a few images from inside, and I have another blog post with more images from inside their beautiful house! It was so much fun working with this sweet family of five and I hope to hang out with them in the future!

A man and woman sit on a beige couch with three young children; the man holds a toddler, the woman holds a newborn, and another child touches the baby.
A man and woman sit on a beige couch with three young children, including a baby in a white outfit and headband, posing for a family photo taken by a newborn photographer in a well-lit living room.
A young boy with blonde hair sits on a beige couch, smiling. In a second image, he holds a baby dressed in light clothing and a headband, while seated on the same couch.
A woman sits on a beige couch holding a baby, while a young boy stands nearby holding a blue toy. The scene captures the warmth and connection often sought by a newborn photographer.
Three young children sit on a beige couch; the oldest boy in the middle, like a natural newborn photographer, gently cradles a baby while another young boy on the left touches his mouth.
A young boy in a white shirt and khaki pants lies on a sports-themed bed with stuffed animals and decorative pillows in a neatly arranged bedroom, creating a scene perfect for a newborn photographer’s portrait session.
A young boy sits on a beige couch against a blue wall, touching the head of a large beige stuffed bear and looking at the camera.
A woman sits on a bed in a child's room, holding a baby and reading to a young boy beside her—a heartwarming scene perfect for a newborn photographer to capture.
A young child in a white shirt and khaki pants sits reading picture books in a cozy, carpeted room with a blue wall and white bookshelf.
Two young boys lie on a carpet, each kissing a baby girl with a white bow headband between them; one boy holds a stuffed animal—a heartwarming scene perfect for a newborn photographer to capture.
Three young children lie on a carpet, with a baby in the center wearing a white outfit and bow, flanked by two older boys; one holds a teddy bear—captured perfectly by a skilled newborn photographer.


Want to plan your own in-home newborn session?

If you’re expecting and thinking about photos, I’d love to chat with you. As a Moon Township Photographer, my sessions are relaxed, baby (or toddler)-led, and designed to feel easy and natural for your whole family. We’ll start inside your home where everything feels familiar and calm, and if the moment’s right, we might head outside for a few as well. Dogs welcome. Real life welcome. Click the “contact” link above and let’s chat.




If you’re looking for a newborn or baby photographer in Pittsburgh,  please get in touch to inquire about a session! I’d love to plan a photo session for your new baby!

Here are some other blog posts that you might want to check out! 


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All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography 

Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in family and newborn photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over fourteen years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in Pittsburgh including the South Side, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, the North Shore and Northside.   Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family! 

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724.371.6575
marybeth@marybethmillerphotography.com

Established in 2009
Family & Newborn Photographer serving the greater Pittsburgh area; Wexford, Mars, Cranberry Twp., and also serving Boardman, Poland, and Canfield, Ohio.

Mary Beth Miller Photography

Award for

Established in 2009
Family & Newborn Photographer serving the greater Pittsburgh area; Wexford, Mars, Cranberry Township