“Should we book a studio or an outdoor session?". This is one of the questions we get asked most often — and one that came up again and again at the Basel Expat Expo last week.
It's a genuinely good question, and honestly, there's no wrong answer. Both work beautifully. But the right choice for your family comes down to something really simple: what does your family actually like? This is not what looks good on Pinterest. But what suits you.
In this blog, we share our thoughts on this common question.
If Your Kids Need Space to Breathe (and Run)
Some kids are natural studio kids. They walk in, clock the camera, and perform. Others take one look at the space and immediately want to climb the backdrop stand.
If your little ones fall into the second category — that is, if they need to move to feel comfortable — outdoor sessions are almost always the better fit. There's something about open space that relaxes children in a way four walls simply can't replicate. We've seen the most guarded toddlers loosen up the moment they spot a patch of grass or a puddle to stomp in.
Beautiful photos can be taken anywhere, but outdoors offer moments that simply cannot happen in the studio. A daughter clambering up onto dad's shoulders because she spotted something in the distance. A son wrapping his arms around mum from behind and squeezing tight. Usually when kids have enough room, they forget they're being photographed.
If the words "natural light, lots of space, and we'll just see what happens" appeal to you, outdoor is your session.
Where the Most Candid Moments Tend to Happen
There's a reason so many of our favourite images from the past year have been outdoors: the environment does half the work for us.
Inside a studio, we can create beautiful, timeless portraits. The light is controlled, the background is clean, and we can be precise. But the spontaneous moments — the ones that make you catch your breath when you see them in your gallery — those tend to come when families are in motion. Walking along the Rhine. Kids darting ahead on a path while the parents hang back. A whispered joke that sets everyone laughing.
That said, candid moments absolutely happen in the studio too. We've captured plenty of them. But if your priority is movement and feeling over polish and precision, being outdoors gives us more of those opportunities.
If You'd Rather Skip Unpredictable Weather
Here's the honest part: weather has opinions.
Spring and summer are generally glorious, but an afternoon can turn quickly. Autumn light is some of the most beautiful we shoot in, but you might find yourself rescheduling. And winter — well, winter is a whole other conversation (more on that below).
If your family has tight schedules, young babies, or you've simply got one window to make this happen before a grandparent visits from abroad, a studio session removes all that uncertainty (this is exactly why we have Drop-in sessions). It doesn't matter what the weather does outside. The light is the same. The temperature is the same. Studio sessions also tend to suit families who want something a bit more classic — clean backgrounds, portraits that will look as good on the wall in twenty years as they do today (especially if blank and white photos are your thing!).
Spring and Summer in Basel — the Best Time to Shoot Outdoors
We'll be honest with you: spring and summer are our favourite seasons to photograph families outdoors, and we'd encourage anyone who's been on the fence to take the leap right now.
The light in Basel from April through to August is something special. Long golden evenings that stretch past 8pm. Soft, warm tones in the hour before sunset that make even a simple walk feel cinematic. The Rhine glittering in the background. Whether in the heart of old town or a beautiful outdoor location in Basel Land, this is when lighting is genuinely at its best.
Beyond the light, there's a quality to how families are in summer that comes through in photos. Everyone's more relaxed. Kids are in their element outside. There's no rushing back because it's getting cold or dark. We can wander, we can be patient, we can wait for the moment.
Seasonal Sessions — and When the Studio Comes Into Its Own
There's one time of year when we see the balance tip firmly toward the studio, and that's the run-up to Christmas.
There's something about a winter family portrait that almost asks for warmth and enclosure — soft light, a clean background, everyone close together. The studio creates that feeling naturally. And practically speaking, December in Basel means short days, cold evenings, and a lot of coats to wrestle children into. Booking a studio session in November or early December takes all of that off the table.
We find a lot of families use their Christmas portrait as an annual tradition — the same style, year after year, so you can watch your children grow. The studio is perfect for that kind of consistency.
So if you're thinking ahead to Christmas cards or a gift for the grandparents, make a note to come to us in autumn. And if you're reading this in spring or summer — come outside with us first.
The Honest Shortcut: Trust Your Gut About Your Family
Every family is different, and the best session is the one that reflects how your family actually is — not a version of you that's been tidied up and placed in front of a white backdrop (unless that's genuinely what you want, in which case, we'll make it beautiful).
Ask yourself: do we want something relaxed and full of movement, or something more classic and contained? Do the kids need space, or are they fine in a smaller environment? Is the weather a factor for us right now?
If you're still not sure, just get in touch. We've helped many Basel families figure out what would suit them best, and we're happy to talk it through.
If you'd like to make the most of the spring and summer light, our family sessions and Basel Photo Walks are open for booking now. If a date is on your mind, it's worth locking it in.
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