To stay home or head outside — that is the question.
And honestly? It’s the second question I get asked most, right after availability. Which makes total sense, because it genuinely matters. Not just logistically, but for how your family shows up and how the whole session feels.
Here’s the thing: I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all answer. No two families are alike, and that’s a beautiful thing. So rather than handing you a generic pros and cons list, I want to give you a peek into how I actually think through this — because for most of my families, we figure it out together. (Don’t worry, I keep the back-and-forth painless. You’ve got enough on your plate.)
It’s Not About the Backdrop
Before we get into the nuts and bolts, I want you to know something: the location sets the scene, but your family is the story.
My focus is never on getting the perfect landmark in the background. It’s on capturing you. The way you look at each other. The way your kid throws their whole body into a hug. The in-between moments that happen when everyone forgets there’s a camera around. You can see what that looks like in my family photo and video work here.
That said, I hear you if you’ve got your heart set on that Golden Gate Bridge view. (And honestly? Same.) What I’ll usually suggest is a little bit of both. We might spend time at Battery Chamberlin, where the kids can kick a ball around and play hide-and-seek, and then wander over to Baker Beach for that iconic backdrop at the end. Best of both worlds.
One of my favorite sessions ever was with a family who had their hearts set on the bridge, and it was completely fogged in. Not even a little visible. But they rolled with it, we leaned into the moody Bay atmosphere, and at the end of the session? A rainbow appeared right over the water. Sometimes the location surprises you in the best possible way.
Why In-Home Sessions Have My Heart
In-home sessions are my heart. (I said what I said.)
There is something about documenting a family in their own space that feels different from anything else I do. It’s unhurried. It’s intimate. It’s a Tuesday morning in your kitchen, and somehow, that’s everything.
My favorite thing to capture? Mornings. The snuggles in bed before anyone is fully awake. The chaos of breakfast coming together. The inside jokes that get told for the hundredth time and still land. I chase these moments deliberately, because here’s something I’ve learned after years of doing this work: those quiet mornings together get fewer and further between as kids grow up, sleep in, and get pulled in a hundred different directions by school, sports, and their own lives.
Oh, and while we’re at it, did you know that by the time your kiddo turns 12, you’ve already spent about 75% of your together time with them? (I know, I know.)
So let’s use that time wisely. Not performing for a holiday card, not forcing smiles for the camera, but actually documenting the real, beautiful, everyday stuff that makes your family yours. That’s what you’ll want to hold onto.
When you look back at these photos ten years from now, they won’t just be images. They’ll be a time capsule. A way back into this exact season of your family’s life, with all its beautiful, messy, fleeting details. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why every family should have an in-home photo session.
And if you really want to freeze this season in time, this is also where a family film comes in. As a family videographer, some of my most meaningful work happens right here, in your kitchen, in your hallway, in the quiet corners of your everyday life.
And speaking of messy, I see you eyeing that pile of laundry in the corner. Here’s the truth: I don’t notice it, and neither will you once you see your images. The mess falls to the wayside because your connection is what shines. Every single time. No judgment, ever.
The Case for Heading Outside
Outdoor sessions have their own kind of magic, and honestly, they can go in the most wonderful, unexpected directions. (Case in point: I once started a session at home, followed the energy to a nearby playground, and somehow ended up crashing a stranger’s birthday party. The bouncy house shots are some of my favorites. True story.)
And when it comes to outdoor sessions, I don’t believe in a set formula. If your kid is a performer at heart, I might surprise them with the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park or the amphitheater at Joaquin Miller Park, and watch them completely come alive. If they’re a water kid, we’ll find water. If they need to move, we’ll find space. I follow your family’s energy and let the location serve the story, not the other way around.
Looking for specific location ideas? I’ve got you covered. Check out my favorite spots in San Francisco and across the East Bay.
So How Do You Actually Choose?
Here are the things I think about when I’m helping a family choose:
The age of your kids. Honestly, more often than not, an in-home session is my first instinct regardless of age. There’s something about being in your own space that brings out the most natural, relaxed version of your family — whether your kids are two or twelve. That said, younger kids especially, those under 7, tend to really thrive at home. New environments can bring out the shy side of a kid who is otherwise a total firecracker. (I’ve seen it more times than I can count.) Newborns, typically under three months, are always photographed indoors, either at home or in studio. And if you’re in that brand new baby season, can I gently nudge you toward capturing it on film too?
Older kids often love the excuse to go somewhere, and a change of scenery can unlock a totally different energy, especially if the location speaks to something they’re into. And occasionally, if a home doesn’t get much natural light, heading outside just makes more sense. Either way, we’ll figure it out together.
The time of year and weather. November through February in the Bay Area can be cold, windy, and unpredictable. (My midwest relatives would absolutely laugh at our version of “cold,” but try telling that to a toddler with a runny nose.) Young kids especially don’t tolerate those conditions well, and nobody wants to spend a session wrestling a jacket onto a grumpy three-year-old. If the weather is questionable: wind, rain, or poor air quality, indoors is almost always the right call.
The light. This one is mostly my department, so you don’t need to stress about it. For outdoor sessions, I’ll recommend timing based on when the light is at its most beautiful, usually around 8 or 9am, or about an hour before sunset. For in-home sessions, we have a lot more flexibility, typically anywhere between 10am and 2pm works beautifully. Before an in-home session, I’ll ask you to send me a few quick snapshots or a short video of your space taken around the same time we’ll be shooting. That way, I can plan ahead and you don’t have to think about it at all.
Neurodiversity and sensory sensitivities. Some kids get overwhelmed by new environments, crowds, or unpredictable situations — and that is completely okay. For neurodivergent kids or those who are easily overstimulated, the familiar comfort of home can make all the difference between a session that flows and one that doesn’t. I’ve worked with many families navigating this, and I always follow the child’s lead. There’s no pressure, no agenda, and absolutely no timeline we can’t adjust.
Accessibility. Not all outdoor locations are ADA accessible, and that matters. If mobility is a consideration for anyone in your family, just let me know and we’ll find a spot that works for everyone.
When In Doubt, Answer This One Question
Still not sure? You’re in good company. Most families aren’t when they first reach out. And honestly, that’s exactly why this is a conversation we have together rather than a box you check on a form.
My go-to first question is always the same: where is your family’s happy place?
Sometimes the answer is obvious, a favorite hiking trail, a beloved corner of your home, a beach your kids would live on if you let them. Sometimes it takes a little digging. Either way, your answer tells me everything I need to know.
And remember, it doesn’t always have to be one or the other. Some of my favorite sessions have started indoors and spilled outside entirely on their own. (See: the birthday party bouncy house incident mentioned above.) That’s the beauty of not having a set formula.
If you’re ready to start that conversation, I’d love to hear about your family’s happy place. Reach out here and let’s figure it out together.
At the end of the day, whether we’re curled up on your couch documenting a lazy Sunday morning or chasing golden hour light at Baker Beach, my goal is always the same: beautiful, authentic images that genuinely look and feel like your family. You can learn more about how I work and what I’m all about right here.
But here’s what I also want you to know: how you feel during this experience matters deeply to me too. I want you to walk away not just with photos you love, but with a memory of a morning or an afternoon where you slowed down, laughed a lot, and really enjoyed your people. That’s the whole point.
So wherever we land, whether it’s home, outdoors, or somewhere beautifully in between, I’m honored to be the one telling your story.
