Studio vs Outdoor Family Photography – Which Is Right for Your Family?
This is one of the first questions almost every parent asks me when they're thinking about booking a family photoshoot in Dublin. And I completely understand why. You're picturing how your children might behave, you're thinking about the weather, and you're trying to imagine what kind of images will feel right for your family.
The good news is there's no wrong answer here. Both studio and outdoor family photography have something beautiful to offer, and the right choice isn't about what's objectively better. It's about what suits your family right now, at this particular moment, with these particular children at these particular ages.
Let me walk you through what each option actually feels like, so you can make a decision that feels calm and right for you.
What Studio Family Photography Is Like
There's something quietly reassuring about stepping into a photography studio with your children. I think it's the feeling of containment. You're in a calm, dedicated space where the only job is to be together and let me capture that.
Studio family photography in Dublin has become really popular with parents over the last few years, and I think it's because it takes so many variables out of the equation. The light is always right. The temperature is comfortable. There's no wind messing up hair or making toddlers grumpy. No unexpected rain. No worry about whether it's going to be too bright or too dark or whether your baby will need a nap before you even get to the location.
For families with younger children especially, the studio often works beautifully. Little ones do better when they're not overstimulated, and being in a calm, contained environment helps them settle. There's less to distract them, less to overwhelm them, and that often means they relax into themselves more quickly.
Parents tend to relax too. I see it happen almost every time. You walk in a little tense, wondering how it's all going to go, and within ten minutes you realise nobody has to perform. There's no rushing. No weather pressure. Just your family, together, in a space that feels safe.
One of the things families tell me they love most about studio sessions is what happens afterwards. Once we've finished photographing, we move into the viewing room together. You get to sit down, take a breath, and actually see your images properly on a big screen. Not scrolling through tiny thumbnails on your phone weeks later, but right there, in the moment, while the feeling of the session is still with you. Parents often tell me that viewing experience is one of the most meaningful parts of the whole day. It's a chance to see your family the way I saw you, and that's a really special thing.
Studio family photography feels predictable in the best possible way. You know what you're getting. You know it's going to be calm. And for a lot of families in Dublin, especially those with busy lives and anxious children, that predictability is exactly what makes the whole experience feel manageable.
What Outdoor Family Photography Is Like
Outdoor sessions have a completely different energy. They're open, playful, loose. There's space to move and run and be silly in ways that don't always happen indoors. And when the light is beautiful, the images can be absolutely magical in a way that's hard to replicate anywhere else.
Around Dún Laoghaire, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor locations. The beaches are stunning, the parks are green and open, and there's something about being near the sea that makes families feel more relaxed. Children especially seem to come alive outdoors. They're less self-conscious. They explore. They hold your hand and run ahead and come back again, and all of that movement and naturalness translates into images that feel full of life.
But I always talk honestly with parents about what outdoor family photography in Dublin actually involves, because I think it's important you go in with your eyes open. Irish weather is unpredictable. Even in summer. I can't control the wind, the clouds, or whether it's going to pour rain an hour before we're meant to meet. Most of the time it works out beautifully, but there are times when we need to reschedule, or when conditions aren't quite what we hoped for.
That said, some of the most beautiful images I've ever taken have happened on days when the weather wasn't technically perfect. Soft overcast light can be gorgeous. A little bit of wind in a child's hair adds movement and emotion. And there's something about being outside, in the elements, that brings out a realness in families that's hard to capture any other way.
If you're someone who loves the outdoors, if your children are happiest running around in open spaces, if you don't mind a bit of unpredictability, then an outdoor family photoshoot in Dublin can be absolutely wonderful. But if the idea of weather dependency makes you anxious, or if you've got very young children who struggle with cold or wind, it might not be the right fit right now.
Studio vs Outdoor at a Glance
So how do you actually choose? I think it comes down to a few key things.
If your children are very young, under three or four, the studio often works better. Toddlers and babies do best when they're comfortable, and being indoors where it's warm and calm usually helps them stay settled. Outdoor sessions can work beautifully with little ones too, but they require more flexibility and a willingness to go with the flow if your child decides they're not in the mood.
If you have older children who love being active and hate sitting still, outdoor sessions often suit them better. They can move, explore, and burn off energy, and I can photograph all of that without anyone feeling trapped or forced to behave a certain way.
Your own stress tolerance matters too. If the thought of depending on Irish weather makes you feel anxious, choose the studio. If you're someone who can roll with it and doesn't mind rescheduling if necessary, outdoor sessions might feel more appealing.
Time of year plays a role as well. In winter, the studio is almost always the better choice. It's dark early, it's cold, and asking children to stand outside in November for family photography in Dublin just isn't kind to anyone. Spring and summer open up more possibilities for outdoor sessions, though even then, you're never entirely sure what the weather will do.
And honestly, think about what you want the images to feel like. Studio portraits tend to feel more timeless and intimate. Outdoor images often feel more joyful and dynamic. Neither is better. They're just different.
Can You Mix Both?
Some families do choose to combine studio and outdoor family photography, and when it works, it works really well. You get the calm, weather-proof reliability of the studio along with the natural, playful energy of being outside.
The way this usually happens is we'll start with a studio session, which gives everyone time to settle and warm up, and then if the weather is good and everyone still has energy, we'll head outside for a shorter outdoor session nearby. Or occasionally we'll do it the other way around, starting outside while everyone's fresh and then moving into the studio to finish.
It's not something I'd recommend for very young children or for families who are already feeling stretched or anxious about the whole process. A combined session is longer and requires more stamina from everyone. But for families with older children, or for those who genuinely can't decide between the two, it can be a lovely option.
So Which Is Right for Your Family?
The truth is, there's no perfect answer that applies to everyone. The right choice is the one that feels easiest and most comfortable for your family at this moment in time.
If you're feeling anxious about how your children will behave, or if you're someone who likes to know exactly what to expect, I'd gently suggest leaning towards the studio. You'll have one less thing to worry about, and that peace of mind genuinely makes a difference to how the session feels for everyone.
If you're drawn to the idea of outdoor family photography but you're not quite sure, we can always talk it through. I've photographed hundreds of families in Dublin over the years, both in the studio and outdoors, and I have a pretty good sense of what works for different ages and temperaments.
The most important thing isn't whether you choose studio or outdoor. It's that you choose something that feels manageable and right for you. These images are meant to be a gift to your family, not a source of stress. And whatever you decide, I promise we'll make it work.
Let's Talk It Through
If you're still trying to decide, or if you just want to ask a few questions before you commit to anything, please get in touch. I'm always happy to talk through what might suit your family best. There's no pressure, no sales pitch, just a conversation with someone who's been doing this long enough to know that every family is different.
You can reach me through the contact page, or if you'd prefer, you can call. Either way, I'd love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
For very young children, especially babies and toddlers, studio family photography usually works best. The studio is warm, calm, and weather-proof, which helps little ones settle more easily. Outdoor sessions can still work, but they require more flexibility and comfort with unpredictability.
-
Irish weather can be unpredictable, even in summer. If the weather isn’t suitable for an outdoor family photoshoot in Dublin, we’ll either adjust the plan or reschedule. I always talk this through with families in advance so there’s no pressure or stress on the day.
-
Yes. Many families book a studio session first and then decide whether they’d like to include some outdoor photographs as well. If you’re unsure, we can talk through what might suit your family best based on your children’s ages, energy levels, and the time of year.
-
Most family photoshoots last between one and two hours, depending on whether the session is studio-based, outdoors, or a mix of both. I always work at a pace that feels comfortable for children, with breaks as needed.
-
Spring and summer offer the most flexibility for outdoor family photography in Dublin, but beautiful sessions can happen year-round. That said, winter sessions are usually better suited to the studio, where it’s warm, calm, and comfortable for children.
-
Yes, combining studio and outdoor family photography can work well for some families, particularly those with older children. We usually start in the studio and then head outdoors if everyone still has energy and the weather cooperates. It’s something we’ll always discuss beforehand.
-
Yes. One of the things families love most about studio sessions is being able to view their images together in the viewing room after the photoshoot. You’ll see your photographs properly on a large screen while the experience is still fresh.
-
The best choice is the one that feels easiest for you right now. If predictability and calm matter most, studio family photography is often the right fit. If you love open space and don’t mind a bit of unpredictability, outdoor photography may suit you better. I’m always happy to talk it through.
-
Yes. Outdoor family photography sessions often take place around Dún Laoghaire, including local beaches and parks. The area offers beautiful natural backdrops, especially when the light is soft and even.