Top 10 Locations
to Capture Beautiful Family Photos in Westchester
Stunning backdrops for your lifestyle family photos abound in our own backyard! I’m going to dish on all my favorite spots here in Westchester County, NY.
The List (and the why)
Your home & yard
Distinctively youKensico Dam
Architectural interestLasdon Park
Open fields and plentiful pathsGreenburgh Nature Center
Variety of natural settingsUntermyer Gardens Conservancy*
Artfully landscaped, abundance of flowersPlayland
Out of the box funCroton Point Park*
Tall grasses, Hudson River sunsetsTeatown Lake Reservation
Serene woodland magicBronx River Pathway
Leading lines, fall foliageAnother local park
Proximity and familiarity
*requires a permit.
In-Home Lifestyle Family Sessions
Not to be overlooked is my #1 pick above. Your house is a very, very, very fine house! My clients frequently request their home for their lifestyle family sessions. Many factors contribute to its popularity. For example, when newborns, young children, and Northeastern winters are involved, it’s the most obvious place for a lifestyle session. Besides, it works in all weather, from February freezes to August heat waves
We can use your indoor and outdoor spaces to add dimension to your story. Think cozied on your bed, sweet vignettes in the nursery, as well as laughs on your living room sofa. We may then head to your yard for greenery, sunshine and open play spaces. You also have easy access to snacks, wardrobe changes and the and all the furnishings and decor that make your home you.
Outdoor Lifestyle Family Sessions
While I adore in-home sessions, local parks are where it’s at for active families. Everyone loves being outside in good weather and your expressions will match. 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 therefore lots of energetic, joyful moments.
Lighting outdoors is exquisite and unparalleled. For example, possibilities exist to incorporate 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 your Lifestyle Session Location
How old are your kids? Families welcoming a new baby typically choose an in-home lifestyle newborn session, because safety and comfort prevail. Those celebrating their baby’s first year have the option of capturing their session in the comfort of their home, the 1st birthday party venue, or at a local park. Toddlers 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 take advantage of 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, and your yard work great for balancing the dance between exploration and staying close to the camera! There are plentiful gorgeous spots that avoid the enticement of a playground— because tantrums—the struggle is real). Being in sight of a playground is ok when positioned as a reward for the end. Choose mindfully.
In addition, how accessible is the location? Is there parking close by? Bathrooms? Is it walkable? Think about accessibility if you’ll be using a stroller or wheelchair. Are the grands joining in? Consider their mobility issues when choosing a location too.
Last but not least, factor in the weather—both the season and the chance of precipitation. Be sure to have a plan b if plan a is outdoors. Sometimes there is no better available date and sometimes getting outside for that Hudson River Valley fall foliage trumps all!
Let’s Choose your Adventure
Ready to explore locations for your session together? I love guiding my clients in the right direction. Let’s go!
