Why Outdoor Photography Sessions Are Perfect for Children
As a family photographer in Aberdeen, I’ve found that outdoor sessions are one of the most beautiful and natural ways to capture children and their families. Outdoor family photography gives children the freedom to be themselves—running, exploring, and laughing in wide open spaces—while also allowing me to create warm, heartfelt images filled with real connection. Unlike the limits of a studio, outdoor sessions give us room to breathe, play, and make memories that feel truly genuine.
While studio photography has its place, it can sometimes feel limiting for children. Studios are enclosed, often quiet, and filled with lights and equipment that can feel intimidating to little ones. Outdoors, everything changes. The space opens up, and children instantly become themselves again — curious, free, and full of life.
🌿 More Space, More Freedom
Outdoors, children have space to run, jump, spin, and explore. They don’t need to sit still on a stool or keep their hands in their lap — and honestly, I don’t want them to. The best photos happen when children forget the camera is there.
When we’re outside, they can chase bubbles, pick wildflowers, play with sticks, or simply walk hand in hand with their parents. This natural freedom brings out genuine smiles and expressions — not forced poses. Instead of trying to hold still, they get to play, and I get to capture real joy.
🌞 Natural Light and Natural Emotions
The soft, golden light filtering through the trees or glowing on an open meadow is something no studio light can truly match. It wraps around children so beautifully, highlighting their features gently and naturally.
And it’s not just about how it looks — it’s about how it feels. Being in nature is calming. Children feel safe, happy, and relaxed, and that shows in every frame. Instead of a staged smile, you get real laughter. Instead of stiff poses, you get warm hugs, tiny hands reaching for flowers, or wind in their hair as they run across the grass.
📸 Real Moments and Real Memories
Outdoor sessions also let us create photographs that are full of story. A favourite woodland path, a hidden meadow, a beach where they’ve built sandcastles every summer — these places already hold meaning for families. When we photograph children in those familiar, beloved places, the images instantly become more personal and emotional.
Years from now, these photos won’t just show what your children looked like. They’ll remind you who they were — their personalities, their wild energy, their curious nature — all wrapped up in an environment that feels like them.
💛 A Stress-Free Experience for Everyone
Parents often tell me how much easier outdoor sessions feel. Without the pressure of a confined space, children are less shy, parents are more relaxed, and the whole experience becomes fun rather than something to “get through.”
There’s time for breaks, snacks, cuddles — and that’s all part of the story. When children need space, we pause. When they want to explore, we follow. And through it all, I quietly capture the little moments that matter most.
🌳 Letting Children Be Children
At the heart of it, that’s what outdoor sessions are all about — letting children be themselves. No perfect posing, no forced smiles. Just honest, beautiful, fleeting moments of childhood, preserved forever.
And those are the moments you’ll want to hold onto.
✨ If you’d love to capture your own family’s story outdoors — exploring the woods, running along the beach, or playing in a favourite field —
I’d love to hear from you! Get in touch here to start planning your session!