Recommended photoshoot locations
Sydney has more than enough photoshoot locations that we can choose from. In case you are hesitant on choosing where to capture your family moments, marking your engagement with a photoshoot or celebrating your pregnancy moment there is place for everyone!
Before choosing the perfect photoshoot location
Before choosing the photoshoot location that suits the most to you, try to think about it what you want to tell with the photos. How would you like to capture your story?
- Do you live in the city centre, are you an urban kind of family? Or simply you just want to have the most iconic buildings captured in your family photos? - Then I would choose a more urban location.
- Are you spending a lot of time at the beach? - Think about a beach location.
- Are you a bushwalking enthusiast? - Let's go for a walk and capture some hiking moments together.
- Would you like to include your horse in your family photoshoot? - Think about places where horses are allowed, or let's just simply take photos at the barn.
- Do you love your home and the style you have designed your interior? - We can snap some photos in your home.
These are some of my favourite locations, but there are plenty more amazing spots and I am more than happy to talk to you about what would be the best location for your family photoshoot or engagement photo session!
1. Urban Locations for family photo sessions
There are plenty of urban locations in Sydney, but careful with these as they can get busy. These locations are best to take photos during early morning golden hour when the city still sleeps but the light is in the magical time.
- Sydney Opera House and Surroundings
The Opera house has plenty of nice spots and trust me one and a half hour family photoshoot is not enough to explore all. If you are living in Sydney just for a limited time, I can recommend to have your family's photoshoot here as it will be an unforgettable memory.
- The walk from Circular Quay through the Rocks all the way to Dawes Point Reserve
There are plenty of beautiful spots when you walk from Circular Quay towards the bridge. Plenty of opportunity to have the Opera house in the background as well as the Harbour Bridge. And the iconic ferries cannot be missed during this photoshoot either. If you are not tired after this walk we can continue through Dawes Point to Barangaroo Reserve. I would recommend this location more for a couple than to large families since the walk can get a bit of tiring for the kids.
- Hyde Park
Hyde Park is again a bit more green, including fountain, memorial building giving beautiful backdrop plus St Mary's Cathedral is also stunning in the background.
- Walk from Milsons Point towards Lavender bay
Not the best for families, more for couples, it is a beautiful walk with amazing views but it might be hard for the kids to explore and play in the surrounding. When we get to Lavender bay we can also explore Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden.
- Bradleys Head
Breadlys Head is a combination of green and stones and water with the beautiful Sydney landmarks in the background. The sunset is stunning from this location as it sets directly behind the Opera House. This could be an amazing photo location for families with older kids to explore and have fun here.
2. Parks in the city and reserves for family photoshoots
One of my favourites are the parks, in the city. You can find beautiful greenery and stunning locations. There are plenty of parks I haven't listed, but these are the parks I know are beautiful and are a stunning backdrop for your family or engagement/ elopement photo shoot.
- Sydney Botanic Garden
Sydney Botanic Garden is a dream location for family photography sessions. There stunning locations that will have the city in the far. You can find nice spots where the scenic Opera is seen. There is only one thing to keep in mind at this location. Permit is needed for this location. Prices can be found on their website.
- Centennial Parklands
Centennial Parklands has again the best spots for any photography. Its a dram to discover it with families. However it is the same as with the Royal Botanic Garden, there is a need for a permit even for a portrait photography session. The permit prices are available at their website.
- Rouse Hill Regional Park
Rouse Hill Regional Park has so many nice spots. Large fields where the kids can run, long grass that looks great in the background, stunning trees that just show that beautiful nature! I love it here! I come here often just for a walk too!
- Parramatta Park
Parramatta Park has everything! Dogs allowed on leash, plenty of playgrounds, beautiful fields, stunning buildings, flower gardens. Nothing else you can wish for.
- Parramatta Lake
Parramatta Lake has it all, long grass, beautiful tress, lake and singing birds (for the good mood). A stunning engagement photoshoot location!
- Nurragingy Reserve
Nurragingy Reserve, located in Western Sydney, offers a serene escape into nature with lush gardens, tranquil lakes, has a water playground and it's for families. Dogs are allowed on leash and plenty of photo locations.
- Muston Park
Muston Park is such a nice small park! It has a wisteria tunnel (blooming August-September). It has a playground for giving some free time for the kids plus it has great mini river with pretty bridges. Some nice spots by the river too. The park has lots of trees so best to come a bit earlier than golden hour just to assure the nice light.
- Fagan Park
Fagan Park, photogenic buildings, bridges, river, little forest, beautiful flowers. Everything you need for a nice family photoshoot. There is a playground too to give some space for the kids plus dogs are allowed in the park too.
3. Beach Locations for family photoshoot
- Balmora Beach
My absolute favourite location and when someone is not sure this the location I recommend the most! Balmoral beach in Mosman is not just in the top 10 beaches in Australia. This place has a great jetty, beautiful island with rocks. Clean sand where the kids can play, lovely bridge the stunning Rotunda and much more! I think this a beach used the most for family photography or engagement or elopement photoshoot.
- Milk Beach
Milk beach is a location that is not only an ocean view, its a harbour view with stunning sunset. It has stunning rocks and no other sunset light can beat the backlit photos on this beach.
- Clontarf Beach
Other favourite is Clontarf Beach. There is no harbour view but the sun is also setting towards the sea, giving us opportunity to take your family photos with stunning golden hour backlight. There is a park, playground, dogs are allowed and the beach is one that I love to go even without doing a photoshoot there.
- Manly Beach
Who wouldn't love the good old Manly Beach? There is a good news! Manly beach has a less busy section too, and it is lovely! Even better news, it has a part where dogs can freely play in the water. This makes it an absolute winner for family photoshoot with dogs! Playing with your pup in the water against the setting sun, what more can you wish for? Kids are happy, doggy is happy, everyone is happy :)
- Lagoon Reserve, Queenscliff is at the end of Manly beach, this is a lagoon where dogs are allowed and the water is really shallow. It's a great location to play with your puppy during a photoshoot
- Collins Flat Beach onsummer day it can be a litte crowded and hard to park, however it has stunning calm water, lovely rocks and beautiful afternoon light too
- Freshwater Beach
This location is best during low-tide. It offers a diverse range of settings within close proximity, allowing for a variety of photo opportunities. Whether you prefer the beach, the rock pools, the grassy parklands, or the nearby bushland, you'll find plenty of charming spots to capture timeless family moments.
- Curl Curl Beach
If you have a dog in your family, North Curl Curl is your place! North Curl Curl also has a Lagoon which flows into the sea. It has stunning beach, scenic headland, and abundant natural beauty with amazing rocks.
If you'd like to take photos without a dog, the beauty of Curl Curl is open to you!
- Turimetta Beach
Shhh, don't tell anyone! That's a spot that cannot be boaring! Turimetta Beach is a little beach right next to Narrabeen beach. It is surrounded by hills which makes it a perfect location for an early photoshoot, since the sun is set a bit earlier than anywhere else, this makes it perfect for families with little children who needs to go to bed earlier.
Family photoshoot with your dog
As I mentioned before, these are my favourites and not all allow dogs. I do want to accomodate everyone especially who has a pet they want to get photos done with. So please if you did not find the location on my list you want, get in contact and we will definitely find the one you would feel the most comfortable with. :)
Hope my list helped you and I cannot wait to hear from you!
