Say No to Cheese | Pittsburgh Family Candid Photo Session

Did you know a family photo session can simply consist of your family exploring a park and playing together? All you have to do is invite me to tag along to document it! 

With this kind of family photo session you don’t have to stress out about everyone posing, looking at the camera, and smiling! (say no to “SAY CHEESE!”) And you don’t have to stress about putting together coordinating outfits for the whole family! No really, it’s totally possible!

Other family photographers use all kinds of different words to describe this type of photo session. I’ve heard of them being called lifestyle, documentary, candid, casual, storytelling, or adventure photo sessions….and I’m sure there are other phrases I haven’t even heard of!

No matter what you want to call it, just think of it as a fun and stress-free photo session! The kind where your kids can literally just be kids and be themselves!

And although I usually prefer that these kinds of photo sessions take place in the comfort of your own home, I know this is not always possible for every family! So this is a great alternative for those that cannot do a session at their home.

Of course I’ll attempt to get everyone all together to look at me for a photo or three, but I promise, I’ll never make you say cheese! In fact, 98% of the time you get to have fun, relax, and just be with your kids.

I have photographed this adorable family so many times and they don’t even live in Pittsburgh anymore! After I photographed the birth of their first daughter here in Pittsburgh, they moved to the New England area!

However, every time they come in from out of town to visit their favorite city, we come up with a fun new location to do a documentary family photo session. (check the blog posts at the end of this post to see a couple more of their sessions!)

I absolutely love that this family appreciates this kind of photo session for their family and I’m so grateful that they invite me along to hang out on their adventures!

This fun family photo session took place at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. It’s such a beautiful place, I highly recommend you go check it out! It’s a great location to explore with your family.

The Botanic Garden has so many areas to see within its 460 acres! These kiddos enjoyed playing in the spray pad and the sandbox, testing out the musical instruments, and exploring the children’s garden and play area. I took so many photos I will have to create a second blog post to share more images!

Please note the Botanic Garden has a photo session policy and they charge a fee. Please check their website for the policy details and photo session guidelines!

And Moms, you need to exist in photos! Not just posed photos but photos of everyday fun moments with your kiddos! 

I want all of the amazing Moms out there to feel seen and to have images that show just how very much she is loved by her children. 

When I create these kinds of images, I’m not creating them just for Mom, but for her children who will have fun viewing them now and treasure them later in life.

I cannot wait until my next adventure with this beautiful family!

Consider something different for your next family photo session. I promise you won’t regret it. Shoot me a message, I’d love to tag along and document your family time together! 

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

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

Are you on Instagram? I’d love to connect with you there!

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 thirteen years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in Pittsburgh including Valencia, Mars, Wexford, Seven Fields, Warrendale, Bradford Woods and Adams Township  Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!