Top 10
Amazing Locations for Lifestyle Family Photos Around Westchester
Hint: a couple of these spots may surprise you!
I’m going to dish on all my favorite spots to photograph lifestyle family sessions close to home. While I’ve certainly had wonderful experiences photographing my subjects framed by New York City landmarks and faraway lands, locations abound in our own backyard (literally and figuratively) that make for stunning backdrops to your family photos here in Westchester County.
The List (and the why)
Your home & yard
Distinctively you
Kensico Dam
Architectural interest
Lasdon Park
Open fields and plentiful paths
Greenburgh Nature Center
Variety of natural settings
Untermyer Gardens Conservancy*
Artfully landscaped, abundance of flowers
Playland
Out of the box fun
Croton Point Park*
Tall grasses, Hudson River sunsets
Teatown Lake Reservation
Serene woodland magic
Bronx River Pathway
Leading lines, fall foliage
Any local park well known to you or me!
Proximity and familiarity
*paid permit required if using a professional photographer.
In-Home Lifestyle Family Sessions
Not to be overlooked is my #1 pick above—your house is a very, very, very fine house! A frequently requested location as a lifestyle family photographer is most certainly my clients’ homes. Many factors contribute to its popularity. When newborns and young children are involved, or we’re in the middle of a Northeastern winter, it’s the most obvious option for a session outside of a studio. It works in all weather: rain, sleet or snow, January freezes and August heat waves. It’s versatile as we can use your indoor living spaces creatively to tell a story (cozied on your bed, sweet vignettes in the nursery or laughs on your living room sofa) and still spend some time in your yard for greenery, sunshine and open spaces to play (weather permitting). You have easy access to snacks, wardrobe changes and the variety of comfy, stylish seating you’ve outfitted your home with.
Outdoor Lifestyle Family Sessions
Rounding out the list at #10 are local parks, which depending on where you live may include the many between 1 and 10 that I’ve highlighted for you above! Everyone loves being outside in good weather and it shows in your expressions. They’re the kind of warm, authentic smiles that only being out in fresh air bring out. There’s a sense of exploration. We can walk, run, swing, jump, toss and generally elicit lots of energetic, joyful moments. The lighting is exquisite and unparalleled with the possibilities of incorporating sun glare, backlighting, vibrant sunsets, light speckled through trees, open shade or the softness of a cloudy day. Images outdoors offer depth, dimension, definition and visual interest. During the peak of fall foliage in New York, with its kaleidoscopic bursting of color, it’s incomparably the best location for your family photos. We are so lucky to live here!
More Considerations for Choosing a Lifestyle Session Location
How old are your kids? Families welcoming a new baby typically opt for an in-home lifestyle newborn session. Those celebrating their baby’s first year have the option of capturing their session in the comfort of their home, at a local park or even at the venue for baby’s 1st birthday party. Toddlers too may last longer with in-home (or close to home) sessions. If your heart set on a certain locale that’s a bit of a drive, be sure to capitalize on nap schedules—car ride nap for the win! Little ones from crawler through elementary-aged need some flat ground to roam on. A contained garden, a defined area within a park setting or your yard are perfect for balancing the dance between exploration and staying close to the camera! Being in sight of a playground is ok if you want some action shots and it’s positioned as a reward for the end. There are also plentiful gorgeous spots that take out this enticement (read: tantrum—the struggle is real), so choose mindfully. Are the grands joining in? Consider their mobility issues when choosing a location. You should also think about accessibility if you’ll be using a stroller or wheelchair. Last but not least, factor in the weather—both the season and the chance of precipitation. When my clients book me and plan a is outdoors, we decide together if we are opting to build in a rain date or if plan b is at home. Sometimes there is no better available date and sometimes getting outside for that Hudson River view or fall foliage for your holiday cards trumps all else!
Let’s Choose your Path
Ready to explore locations for your session together? I love guiding my clients in the right direction!
