Favourite Outdoor Photoshoot Locations
Homestead Park
Homestead is probably my most used photoshoot location for outdoor shoots. I love it because there's great free parking and entry, the field opposite the carpark is huge and usually pretty quiet and the gardeners have done a great job of making sure it's looking beauitful all year round with blossom trees, patches of daffodils, bluebells, wild flowers, trees to climb and wild grass to run through. The photos usually turn out to have a lovely light and airy feel with fab natural shots of you and your family exploring nature and enjoying the great outdoors together. There's also always the incentive of the fun playground at the other side of the park to finish with.
Moorlands Nature Reserve
Moorlands Nature Reserve is another great location to explore as a family resulting in lots of lovely natural shots. Moorlands looks stunning in full rhododendron bloom in spring, with huge bushes of flowers in every colour. Autumn too, the colours can be just stunning, but all year round this is a firm family favrouite with beautiful carved benches, logs to walk along and jump off, nature trails, pond, wooden toad stools and much more. This is a dog free location so if you're wanting to include your pooch in your pics one of the other more dog friendly locations would be better for you.
Pop Up Patch
Opening at the end of July/beginning of August, this farm at Sutton On The Forest, has a huge field dedicated to sunflowers, wild flowers and later in the year, pumpkin picking. The kids adore this place, with hay bale stacks to climb, a fabulous vintage tractor to pretend to drive and a lovely little cafe supplying drinks, cakes and icecreams. It does cost a minimal amount to pick your own and also a subsidy for having a shoot here so do get in touch to discuss any exrta costs that choosing this location might incur.
Wolds Way Lavender
Another stunning summer location, where you can't help but feel peaceful and relaxed surrounded by the smell of lavender. There's so much for the kids to do with a miniature train ride, huge maze, footgolf and play areas. It can take a bit of bribery to tear them away for photos in the lavender, but it's so worth it! This is also a great location for maternity shoots with that soft and dreamy feel or why not treat you and your partner to some couples photos cuddled up amongst the lavender? Again there is the entrance fee to consider for this shoot but combine your shoot with a lovely day out and it's win win!
Museum Gardens
We are so blessed in York with amazing locations full of achitectural history and none is more impressive than Museum Garden. It's Abbey ruins provide a stunning backdrop for your photos, be it family, maternity or wedding shots. As well as the ruins there are beautiful trees and flowers and lovely little wooded areas, one featuring my favourite gate in York for adorable family photos! The only downside is that the gardens are busy all year around and so it can be tricky to avoid the tourists for your photos, but we always make it work and I think all the photoshopping people out of the background is worth it!
Acomb Woods
With great parking and a lovely little circular walk this location is great for families with small children and dogs to explore nature for some fun relaxed and natural photos. In early spring there are lovely patches of bluebells, in summer the light dapples through the trees in impressive displays and in Autumn the colours give a darker moodier feel to your photos for a more rustic set of family pics.
Rowntrees Park
A huge park just on the outskirts of the town centre with ample parking (parking fees applicable at some times). There's a large pond, gorgeous bridge and archways, a wooded area and open fields and play areas. I especially love this location in Autumn when the colours are just stunning and there is an abundance of autumn leaves to play in, but all year round this is a fab location with so many photo oportunties. The only down side is all the geese poo there is to avoid!!
West Bank Park
Another great location for early spring, where the pagoda walk ways are brimming with hanging flowers, but great all year round with wooded areas and open fields. There's a great tree for climbing, a little pond, and a fun play area at the end where you can either have some more pics of the kids playing or use as reward for the end of your shoot. Dogs again are very welcome and love this park full of squirrels!