When families are looking at booking a family portrait session in Exmouth, one of the questions I am often asked is whether it is better to have the photographs taken indoors or outdoors.
The honest answer is that there isn’t one option that is always better than the other. Both indoor and outdoor family photography have their own advantages, and the right choice really depends on the type of photographs you want, the time of year, the weather, your children and the sort of atmosphere you would like in your photographs.
As a family photographer in Exmouth, I have photographed families both in my home studio and outdoors at beaches, parks and gardens around Exmouth and the surrounding Devon area. My advice is always to think about what you want your photographs to look and feel like before deciding where to have your session.
Indoor Family Photography in Exmouth
One of the biggest advantages of having an indoor family portrait session is the amount of control I have over the environment.
When I am photographing in my home studio, I can control the lighting very carefully. This means I am not relying on the weather or the position of the sun to get the look I want. I can create consistent lighting and make adjustments throughout the session when necessary.
This is particularly useful in Devon, where the weather can change quite quickly.
If it is raining heavily, foggy, very dark or extremely bright outside, an indoor session gives us a reliable alternative. I don’t have to worry about a sudden change in the weather affecting the photographs, and the family doesn’t have to spend the session worrying about whether the rain is going to arrive.
I can control the environment, adjust the lighting and concentrate on photographing the family.
When Is an Indoor Family Portrait Session a Good Choice?
There are certain situations where I would specifically recommend considering an indoor family photography session.
For example, younger children can sometimes find an outdoor location overwhelming, particularly if there are lots of people around or they are somewhere unfamiliar. A home studio can provide a more controlled and comfortable environment.
It can also be a good choice for adults who feel a little uncomfortable having their photographs taken in a busy public place.
Some people simply feel more relaxed knowing that they aren’t surrounded by other people while having their photographs taken. There is nothing wrong with that at all. The more comfortable you are during a family portrait session, the easier it is for me to capture natural expressions and genuine moments.
An indoor session can also work particularly well if you want the main focus of the photographs to be on the people rather than the surrounding environment.
If you want simple backgrounds, controlled lighting and photographs where the family is the main focus, indoor family photography can be a great option.
Outdoor Family Photography Around Exmouth
Outdoor family photography gives you something that is much harder to recreate inside: the natural environment.
Living in Exmouth means we have a huge range of beautiful locations available for family photography. We have beaches, parks, gardens, countryside and other outdoor spaces, so there is plenty of variety depending on what you are looking for.
Some families want photographs surrounded by nature. Others might want the beach, trees, autumn leaves or a particular type of landscape to become part of the photographs.
This is where outdoor family photography can be particularly special.
The surroundings aren’t simply a background. They can become part of the story of the family and help create photographs that remind you of the place and time when they were taken.
Family Photography at Exmouth Beach and Sandy Bay
There are several beaches around Exmouth that can work really well for family portrait photography.
Exmouth Beach is one option, while Sandy Bay can provide a much more open natural landscape. Dawlish Beach is another location that can offer something slightly different.
Beach sessions can be particularly good for families with younger children because there is naturally something for them to explore and interact with.
For example, I have photographed a family with a young child at the beach, where we were able to capture them playing in the sand, interacting with toys and enjoying the sea around them.
You simply cannot recreate that same feeling indoors.
You could technically put a sandpit in a studio, but it wouldn’t have the same natural atmosphere as being outside with the beach, sea and surrounding landscape.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy outdoor family photography so much. The children aren’t just standing there being photographed. They can actually interact with their surroundings, and I can capture those moments naturally.
Family Photography at Manor Gardens and Local Parks
Parks and gardens can also be fantastic locations for family photography in Exmouth and the surrounding area.
I have photographed a family outdoors at Manor Gardens in the autumn. The session took place after school at around 5:30 in the afternoon, when the autumn colours and trees provided a beautiful natural setting.
The photographs worked particularly well because of everything that was already around us.
The autumn leaves, trees and natural colours created a completely different atmosphere from what we could have achieved in an indoor studio.
The family really liked the photographs, and personally, I felt that the outdoor environment made the images feel more special and connected to nature.
It is one of those situations where the location becomes an important part of the photograph rather than simply sitting behind the family.
Outdoor Family Photography in Devon
One of the things I particularly like about photographing families outdoors in Devon is that the locations feel authentic to where we live.
There is something special about having your family photographs taken surrounded by the landscapes that are actually part of your life.
Places such as Exmouth Beach, Sandy Bay, Dawlish Beach, Manor Gardens and Bicton Park can all offer different styles of photographs.
Bicton Park, for example, has lots of greenery, trees and open space. It can be a particularly nice choice during spring or autumn, when the surroundings can add lots of natural colour to the photographs.
It is also relatively open and spacious, which can make the experience feel less stressful than photographing somewhere very busy.
For families looking for family photography in Devon, I think this local connection is one of the biggest advantages of choosing an outdoor session.
What Time of Day Is Best for Outdoor Family Photography?
The time of day can make a big difference to outdoor photographs.
I generally prefer photographing outside when the light isn’t extremely harsh. Early morning and later afternoon can work very well, depending on the time of year.
Cloudy weather can also be surprisingly good for family photography.
You don’t always need bright sunshine to get beautiful photographs. In fact, very strong sunshine can sometimes make outdoor photography more difficult because of harsh shadows and uncomfortable conditions.
If the sun is extremely bright, I may look for shade or consider moving the session indoors.
On the other hand, if it is lightly cloudy, the light can be much softer and more flattering.
The important thing is to adapt to the conditions rather than expecting every photography session to have perfect sunshine.
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Outdoor Family Photography Through the Seasons
Another major advantage of photographing outside is that the photographs can change dramatically throughout the year.
If you want seasonal family photographs, I would definitely recommend considering an outdoor session.
Autumn is particularly good for colourful leaves, trees and warmer natural tones. Spring can provide fresh greenery and flowers, while summer can work beautifully for beach photography when the conditions aren’t too hot or harsh.
You can also get very different photographs depending on the location and the time of day.
This is something you simply don’t get to the same extent with a controlled studio environment.
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What Happens If the Weather Is Bad?
One of the biggest concerns families have about outdoor family photography is the weather.
And realistically, weather does matter.
If it is raining extremely heavily, I would not recommend forcing an outdoor session just for the sake of it. There is no reason to make a family uncomfortable when we can choose another day or move indoors.
The same applies if the conditions are particularly difficult or the sun is extremely strong.
However, I don’t think a slightly cloudy day should automatically mean cancelling a session.
Some of the best outdoor photographs can be taken when the weather isn’t perfectly sunny.
If the weather is manageable, we can adapt the location, use shade and work with the conditions we have.
Should You Choose Indoor or Outdoor Family Photography?
If you are struggling to decide, I would start by thinking about the type of photographs you actually want.
Ask yourself:
- Do you want the environment to be part of the photographs?
- Do you want natural scenery and greenery?
- Would you like photographs showing your children playing and exploring?
- Do you want seasonal colours?
- Would you prefer a controlled environment?
- Do you want the focus to be almost entirely on the people?
- Would you feel more comfortable away from other people?
- Are your children likely to feel more relaxed indoors?
- What sort of outfits do you want to wear?
- What time of day would work best for your family?
These questions can make the decision much easier.
If you want beautiful natural scenery, seasonal colours or photographs of your children interacting with their surroundings, I would usually lean towards outdoor family photography.
If you aren’t particularly bothered about the scenery and want the focus to be on the people, an indoor home studio session can work extremely well.
Example of Family Photography
You Can Still Get Beautiful Family Photographs Either Way
I think it is important not to overthink the decision.
Sometimes families get caught up in trying to work out which option is objectively “better”, but there isn’t really a correct answer.
A professional family portrait session should be about creating photographs that suit your family.
If you choose an indoor session, you can still get beautiful, professional family photographs.
If you choose an outdoor session, you can get beautiful photographs using the natural environment around you.
The biggest difference is the style and atmosphere you want.
For me, the decision comes down to the family, the weather, the season, the location and the type of photographs they have in mind.
If you’re still unsure, I can always help you decide based on what you want to achieve from the session.
My Advice as a Family Photographer in Exmouth
My main advice is not to choose indoor or outdoor photography simply because somebody tells you that one is better.
Think about your family and what you want to remember.
If you want your photographs to be about the people, with simple backgrounds and controlled lighting, an indoor family portrait session can be an excellent choice.
If you want the photographs to capture your family enjoying nature, playing on the beach, walking through autumn leaves or exploring a beautiful Devon location, outdoor family photography could be the better option.
And if you genuinely don’t mind either way, don’t worry about it too much. You can still get great photographs from both.
As a photographer, my job is to work with the environment and conditions available and create photographs that you will actually want to keep.
Whether that’s in my home studio or somewhere around Exmouth, Exeter or the surrounding Devon area, the most important thing is that the session suits you and your family.
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Family Portrait Photography Exmouth Questions and Answers
Is indoor or outdoor family photography better?
Neither is automatically better. Indoor photography gives you more control over lighting and weather, while outdoor photography provides natural scenery and more opportunities for children to explore and interact with their surroundings.
Where can I have outdoor family photography in Exmouth?
There are plenty of options around Exmouth, including Exmouth Beach, Sandy Bay and local parks and gardens. Locations further afield such as Dawlish Beach and Bicton Park can also provide beautiful settings.
Is Exmouth Beach good for family photographs?
Yes. The beach can be particularly good for families with younger children because they can play in the sand, interact with toys and explore the surroundings while I capture natural moments.
What happens if it rains during an outdoor family photography session?
If the weather is extremely wet, I would generally recommend postponing the session or considering an indoor session. If the weather is only lightly cloudy or changeable, we can often work with it and still create beautiful photographs.
Is cloudy weather good for family photography?
Yes. Cloudy weather can provide soft, even lighting and can actually be easier to photograph in than strong, direct sunshine.
What is the best time of day for outdoor family photography?
Early morning and later afternoon can often provide good light. The ideal time depends on the season, weather and location, so I would always consider those factors when planning the session.
Is indoor family photography better for young children?
It can be. A home studio provides a controlled environment that may feel less overwhelming for some younger children. However, some children love being outdoors and exploring, so it really depends on the individual child.
Can family photographs be taken indoors if the weather is bad?
Absolutely. One of the main advantages of an indoor family portrait session is that you don’t have to rely on the weather. Lighting and the environment can be controlled to create consistent photographs.
What should we wear for an indoor or outdoor family photography session?
Choose clothing that you feel comfortable in and that suits the type of session you want. For outdoor photography, you may want to consider how your clothing works with the location and season. If you’re unsure, I can help you think about what would work best.
Should I choose indoor or outdoor family photography in Exmouth?
Think about the photographs you want. If you want nature, beaches, seasonal colours and your children interacting with their surroundings, outdoor photography is a great option. If you want controlled lighting, simple backgrounds and the focus to remain on your family, an indoor session may suit you better.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong choice. Both indoor and outdoor family photography can produce beautiful photographs, and I can help you choose the option that works best for your family.
