Studio and Park of Roses Family Photos in Columbus, Ohio

One of my favorite parts of being a family photographer is getting to watch families grow.

A few years ago, I had the honor of photographing Kelsey and Adam’s wedding, and from the very beginning, they were such a joy to be around! They’re kind, easygoing, and always up for having fun, which made them such a wonderful couple to photograph. So when they reached out about family photos after welcoming their son, Ezra, I couldn’t wait to see them again and finally meet their newest little adventure buddy.

We planned their session at the Columbus Park of Roses, but as the date got closer, the forecast showed one of the hottest weeks of the summer. Since Ezra was still little and they had booked a full hour session, I suggested something a little different that ended up being the perfect solution.

We split their session between Zurie Studio and the Columbus Park of Roses.

Why We Chose Both a Studio and an Outdoor Location

One thing I always tell families is that your session should work for your family, not the other way around.

Instead of spending an entire hour outside in temperatures climbing into the 90s, we started the session at Zurie Studio, which is just a few minutes from the Columbus Park of Roses.

It ended up being the perfect way to begin!

The air conditioned studio gave everyone a chance to ease into the session before heading outside. Ezra had time to get comfortable with me in a calm environment, and we were able to capture plenty of beautiful family photos before anyone started feeling the effects of the summer heat.

Zurie Studio is such a versatile space. With modern furniture, soft natural light, movable backdrops, drapery, and paper backdrops, it works beautifully for everything from family sessions to maternity, newborn, branding, and portraits.

Once we had a great variety of indoor images, we made the short drive to the Columbus Park of Roses to finish the session surrounded by beautiful summer blooms and lush greenery.

Letting Kids Be Kids

One of the biggest things I believe about family photography is that kids don’t need to sit perfectly still to create beautiful photos.

In fact, some of my favorite images happen when they’re simply being themselves.

Ezra wasn’t quite running around yet, but he was more than happy to crawl, explore, and take in everything around him. Rather than trying to keep him in one place, we let him lead the way.

There were plenty of giggles, tickles, cuddles, playful moments, and lots of opportunities for Kelsey and Adam to simply enjoy being together as a family. Those are the moments that tell your story best.

Of course, we captured a few classic smiling portraits too, but my favorite images are always the ones filled with genuine connection and personality.

Should You Choose a Studio or an Outdoor Family Session?

One of the questions parents sometimes ask is whether they should choose an indoor studio or an outdoor location.

The answer is… you don’t always have to choose!

Combining the two gave this family the best of both worlds. They enjoyed the comfort of an indoor space while still getting the colorful gardens and natural scenery they had envisioned.

It also meant we could adapt to the weather instead of letting the weather dictate the experience.

Every family is different, which is why I always encourage choosing locations that fit your season of life, your kids’ personalities, and even the forecast.

Planning Family Photos in Columbus?

Whether you’re imagining a colorful outdoor session, a cozy studio session, or a combination of both, my goal is always the same. I want your family to feel relaxed, have fun together, and leave with photos that feel like you.

Some of the best moments happen when parents let go of the idea of perfection and simply play with their kids. Those laughs, cuddles, curious little adventures, and goofy moments are the memories you’ll treasure most years from now.

Kelsey, Adam, and Ezra’s session was such a sweet reminder of exactly that, and I loved getting to document this new chapter of their family’s story.