In-Home or On Location? What Kind of Photo Session is Best for My Family?

Family Photography with Pittsburgh Photographer, Mary Beth Miller

In this post, I’m going to ask you a few questions that will help you answer the question, “What kind of photo session is best for my family? In our home or on location?”.

Do you hate the idea of having to buy everyone new clothes to curate the perfect coordinating outfits for everyone in the family?

If you are like me and nodding your head YES, then a relaxing photo session at your home is best for you. You get to wear your favorite comfortable outfits!

If you’re thinking “no, I’d actually love to do that!“, then you would probably prefer to have a photo session on-location at a local park.

Does the idea of dressing everyone up and loading them into the car to get to a certain location on time stress you out?

If you started imagining the stress and energy involved and you’re sweating just thinking about doing that, then you should totally stay home and let the photographer come to you!

If that doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, then you might prefer a photo session at the park.

When you think about a photographer coming into your home to photograph you and your kids amongst your favorite possessions, do you think…

“Yes please! That sounds awesome!”
If you love your cozy home and you love the thought of photos on your bed, couch, in your child’s bedroom or nursery, or even on the porch and in your yard, then you should schedule an at-home session!

Or, are you thinking, “Oh heck no!”
If the thought of having a photographer inside your home totally freaks you out, then you probably need to schedule an on-location photo session.

When you consider scheduling a photo session at sunset at a park, are you thinking:

“OMG, NO WAY! THAT’S BEDTIME!“
If you’re a parent to little ones, then you know that may not be the best time to expect your children to be at their best and you should schedule a photo session around nap and meal times so your child can be photographed around their best time of day.

“Sure! No problem! We can make that work!”
If this is not a big deal for you or your kids, then an on-location photo session might be a good fit for you.

Are you ok with possibly being around 2 to 12 other families and photographers at the same park at the same time? (This is common with a lot of local photo session “hotspots”, especially during golden hour.) If you’re thinking:

“Ummm, no thanks, that sounds overwhelming, we prefer some privacy.” Then an at-home session is perfect for you.

If the thought of dancing around other families does not bother you at all, then go ahead and schedule that on-location photoshoot!

Does thinking about the weather in the days leading up to your session seem like unnecessary stress? (If you live in Pittsburgh, then you know there is always a chance of rain!)

If you’re like me and do not need one more thing to worry about, then a session at your home is best! We can do an in-home family photo session even if it is cloudy with a chance of rain!

If this is no big deal and you have a flexible schedule for rescheduling, then plan an outdoor on-location session.

Do you love the idea of you and your family being relaxed and photographed in your very own environment?

Then schedule an in-home photo session!

If you think you and your family can still be totally relaxed outdoors in a possibly busy and unfamiliar location, then a photo session at a park will be great for your family.

I hope this post helped you answer the question, “What kind of photo session is best for my family?”

And although it may be a little obvious that I have a preference for in-home photo sessions 😆 as a Pittsburgh family photographer, I’d love to get you scheduled for a session at your home or on-location at a park or in the city, or any location that is a perfect fit for your family!

You can learn more about both kinds of family photo sessions here!


And click on the images below to see galleries from family photo sessions at home or on-location at a park.

If you’re looking for a family photographer in the greater Pittsburgh or Youngstown, Ohio areas,  
please get in touch to inquire about a session!  


Here are some other posts that you’ll 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 lifestyle and documentary family, newborn and Fresh 48 photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over ten years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in the Regent Square, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Greentree, Point Breeze and Highland Park.  Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family!