Outdoor, In Home or In Studio Family Photographs… How do you choose what’s best?

If you’re a Winnipeg parent trying to plan family photos around our weather and feeling stuck between an outdoor vs in-home (or studio) photography session, you’re not alone. This is something many parents debate, especially during our cold winter months!

Outdoor sessions look beautiful. In-home sessions feel meaningful. And studios? They’re just not for everyone (we’ll touch more on this later).

The truth is, choosing the right location for your family photo session in Winnipeg is about what works best for your family, your kids, and the season of life you’re in right now, and the type of location you choose will have a big impact on your images in ways you haven’t yet considered!

Let’s break it down.

The Biggest Factor to consider Isn’t Actually Location, It’s comfort

Before you decide where your session should take place, think about how you want your photos to feel!

When you feel comfortable, your photo session will feel more relaxed and that comfort and ease shows up in every single photo. When you’re feeling at ease, you and your kids have more space to be yourselves!

Whether we’re inside your home or outside somewhere beautiful around Winnipeg, my goal as your photographer is always the same: create images that show off the connection of your family and provide photos that really capture the way you interact in real moments!

Why In-Home Family Photography Works So Well in Winnipeg

In-home family sessions are especially popular here, and for good reason. Between cold winters and young kids who thrive on routine and “the known”, staying close to home can make a huge difference.

Why Young Families Choose In-Home Sessions

1. No battling the weather
When it’s -30 or pouring rain (because… Winnipeg lol), being indoors removes a major stress factor for parents with littles. Of course, I do work around the weather as best I can and provide reschedule dates, but in home sessions are more of a sure shot!

2. Familiar space for kids
Kids are most comfortable in their own environment which can mean more confident and relaxed kiddos and less big emotions.

3. Your home tells part of your story
The house you’re raising your kids in right now matters. These photos age beautifully because they capture your real life, not a backdrop! Images in your home will give you more to reminisce on later in life as you look back on your gallery and they’ll give a peak into the life you are currently living.

4. Perfect for babies
In-home sessions are ideal during newborn stages, nap-heavy seasons, or those early years when flexibility matters more than ever.

5. Everything you need is nearby
Snacks, outfit changes, feeds, comfort items; no packing up the car or rushing across the city.

Common Parent Concerns (That Aren’t Deal-Breakers)

• “My house isn’t photo-ready.”
  You don’t need perfection. A few windows and good natural light are more important than size or décor plus, your home exactly as it is shows the realness of this stage of life for you. When you’re old and grey, you’ll look back fondly on your images, even if this stage is your humble beginning.

• “What if there isn’t enough variety?”
  The connection matters more than location changes and variety comes from interaction, not rooms.

Why Outdoor Family Photo Sessions Are a Great Option in Winnipeg

Outdoor family photography in Winnipeg are absolutely beautiful, especially when we lean into what our city does best. Our seasons!!!

From golden prairie sunlight to tree-lined paths, sandy beaches and open spaces, outdoor sessions offer room to move and breathe and a whooooole lot of natural beauty!

Why Families Love Outdoor Sessions

1. Space for kids to explore
Outdoor sessions are great for kids who especially love movement and freedom!

2. Seasonal variety
Winnipeg offers distinct seasons: summer greens, fall’s blanket of colourful leaves, winter’s magical snow, and spring blooms. Each season creates a very different look and having so many options gives you the gift of variety! As we meet up year after year, you can choose different seasons for your session to gain a ton of variety as the years go by.

3. Natural, candid moments
Walking, playing, and exploring together naturally leads to moments of connection between you, your kiddos and your spouse. Kids who love to explore their surroundings will love being outdoors and taking their lead and exploring creates so much opportunity for beautiful family moments for me to capture!

4. Less focus on “stuff”
No toys or distractions. Just your family and the environment around you.

Things to Consider Outdoors in Winnipeg

• Weather here can be tricky, especially in winter. That’s okay! If the weather isn’t ideal, we’ll postpone our date.

• Some kids take longer to warm up in unfamiliar outdoor spaces.

Outdoor vs In-Home Photography in Winnipeg: What’s Better for Kids?

The honest answer is:
It depends on your child.

• Kids who are more sensitive, cautious, or routine-oriented often do better at home.

• Kids who love adventure and movement often thrive outdoors.

There’s no universal “best.” Families are diverse and the right choice is the one that supports your child’s personality :)

Why I Don’t Typically Offer Studio Family Sessions

Studio sessions remove context, and for many families, comfort too.

For kids especially, studios can feel unfamiliar and restrictive. It becomes clear to littles that your family is there to take photos and not to play, which doesn’t align with how I photograph or what I value. The family connection can be easily lost in a studio setting.

I focus on in-home and outdoor family photography because those settings allow families to relax, connect, move and be themselves.

With that being said, I do offer studio mini sessions at least once a year that can be great for families specifically wanting to take family photos in studio!

Still Deciding? Ask Yourself These Questions

• Which option would feel less stressful right now?

• Are we craving calm and familiarity, or fresh air, excitement and movement?

• Are we looking for a sentimental home backdrop, or a beautiful scenic background?

• What do I envision right away when I think of our upcoming family photos?

• What will I want to hang on our walls?

• When we look back years from now, what do we want these photos to remind us of?

Your answers usually make the decision clear.

Choose what fits you!

Whether I’m photographing your family in your home or outdoors in Winnipeg, let’s choose what fits you.

If you’re unsure which option makes sense for your family, I’m always happy to talk it through and help you decide :)