Top 5 Locations for Family Photos in York Region
So you’re ready for your family photos, have your date, outfits, but not sure about location? York Region has so many beautiful spots to choose from for family photos, but most importantly you want to make sure it is reflective of you and your family.
Family photos are so important and such an exciting event, however sometimes can be a little stressful. Styling everyone's outfits, planning the right time of year (especially with our unpredictable weather here in York Region!), and picking the perfect location. There are a ton of options for outdoor locations, but doing family photos at home can also be a great option. Take a look at how to make the best out of In-Home family photo sessions here!
When thinking about your family photos location, you should reflect on places you and your family enjoy going, things you like doing together, and activities that come naturally to you as a family. This will help you feel more comfortable during your session and will allow for your children to be playful and feel like they are just spending time with their family! This also creates the best candid photos.
In York Region there are a ton of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed and utilized as a family photo session! Here are the top five locations in York Region I recommend for family photos that make for fun, creative, and beautiful galleries!
Country Cut Flower Farm
Starting with Country Cut Flower Farm. This beautiful flower farm is located in Newmarket, on the north end of York Region and is the perfect location for family photos. There are a variety of spots with different backdrops, barns, fields, little flower shed, and of course flowers! You can book a time slot to have your family photo session at this location, which allows for privacy during your session. This is also a great location for photographers to host family mini sessions! The colours of the flowers add such a beautiful dynamic to your session and kids love to explore the flowers and run through the rows, which makes for a fun and interactive session! Check out more of Country Cut Flower Farm here.
Here is the DeFrancesco family at the Country Cut Flower Farm. We had so much fun during this session and even got caught in the rain by the end of it! The boys were able to run around, and Amanda and Corey got to enjoy their time together. We kept it playful and meaningful. Amanda comes to this flower farm weekly in the summer months with her boys to cut fresh flowers for the home! So it was the perfect location for their family photos!
2. Joker’s Hill
Another great spot in York region to take your family photos is Joker’s Hill, located in Newmarket. This is a trail that is filled with different greenery and open spaces to allow for variety within your family photos. There are rows of tall trees, open field spots, full pine trees, and woodland areas full of all types of trees. In the fall the leaves cover the grounds with beautiful oranges and yellows. This is great for families that enjoy getting into nature and taking trail walks. It offers space for families to play games, run around, and have down time on a blanket, or grassy grounds. If you decide to have an afternoon or evening session the sun peaks through the trees beautifully creating fun lighting for the photographer to play with during the session.
The Iannucci family chose Joker’s Hill as their location for their family photos and it was the ideal location for little Livio to get all his energy out! He was running, jumping, and climbing! Alison and Guido followed his lead, and indicated that it reflected their family so well because they often take trail walks as a family. We were able to explore the forest and play some games in the grass. Turned out to be such a fun session!
3. Roger’s Reservoir Conservation Area
The next location in York Region for family photos is the Roger’s Reservoir Conservation Area in the Town of East Gwillimbury. This is in the North end of York Region and is a great location for family photos. Roger Reservoir offers a variety of landscapes, with trails, greenery, open grass areas, bridges, and a board walk. There are two entrances to the trail that offer different views. One side is more woodland, forestry and the other offers more open areas and long grass.
This location is great for families who want a sunset or golden hour session. With one side of the conservation area being more open it allows for beautiful golden light to peek into the photos. There are plenty of more private spots to poke into that you and your family can enjoy each other, playfully, and comfortably.
Here are some beautiful maternity shots I took of Barb, with some stunning light that highlighted Barb perfectly. This is one of my most loved on maternity sessions! If you can picture this as being your ideal maternity session connect with me!
Another option is taking Fall minis in this location, with all the greenery, it’s a great spot for families to enjoy the fall colours.
4. Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake is a York Region staple. It’s located in the Town of Newmarket and brings families from all over the region. This is a great location for family photos as it is full of beautiful paths, offers a lot of green space, and there’s a playground kids can enjoy during or after your family session! During the fall season there are golden leaves covering the ground, making it the perfect location for fall family photos.
If you are looking for a variety within your family photo session, adding another location within steps, Fairy Lake is also a good option for this. It is about a 5 minute walk from historical downtown Main Street which offers plenty of cute shops, spots, and features to add into your session!
5. Georgina Beaches
There are quite a few beaches in Georgina. These are great locations for family photos in York Region. There is Willow Beach which has a smaller sand beach, along with a pier to walk out on. There is Franklin Beach which offers a sandy area along with a grassy area.
Beaches are perfect for golden hour sessions or playful afternoon sessions with your children. It has a lot of space to run around and get their energy out, and you can always jump in the water at the end of your session to add even more storytelling to your session!
The Maldonado’s chose the beach as this is somewhere they often enjoy spending time as a family. Their little one loves finding rocks and throwing them into the water. It was the perfect place to slow down, be present, and play with what’s around!
BONUS SPOT: Sneaky Seasonal Daisy Field
I’m adding this bonus location as a great spot for family photos in York Region because I have now taken photos of my girls here for two years in a row and they have been some of my favorites!!
Now I will note this is very seasonal, blooming from the end of May into June. The daisy lasted a few weeks, however the Town of East Gwillimbury cleaned up the brush last summer I noticed at the end of June! (How dare they!) So this is a very spontaneous photo session and I cannot confirm will be there every year as it is a wild flower field. This daisy field is off of Green Lane in the Town of East Gwillimbury west of the Costco. The street you turn onto is called Woodspring Ave. You can’t miss this daisy field once you turn on there!
It is stunning! And a very different location than your typical family photo sessions! Your kids can pick the daisies and bring a glass to put them in and bring home!
If you give this spot a try, please share it with me!! I would love to see!
There are your top 5 locations for family photos in York Region, plus the bonus daisy wild flower field! All of these locations can make for beautiful, fun, and playful family photos. I hope you are able to find the perfect location for your upcoming family photos that are reflective of you and your family. Once you have your location confirmed, styling is next! Take a look at my article on how to style your family for family photos.
Hope you found this helpful! Court Xo.
