PHOTOSHOOT LOCATIONS IN HALTON AND HAMILTON
The most popular question I got asked, by almost every client, is where we should do our session.
Choosing the right location is very important. There’re a few factors that you’d want to consider when it comes to picking a location for your portrait session. First is the distance, how far do you want to travel? The further the location, the more planning and coordinating you need to consider. In my experience, most kids are not very patient sitting in the car. The long travel can sometimes turn off their excitement, and may also add unnecessary stress to you and your partner during the drive. If your session is in the evening on a weekday, you should also consider traffic and allow more travelling time.
Secondly, lighting. Lighting is everything when it comes to producing good images. The key here is to pick a location that has really good light, but also has some pockets of shade. Funny, right?!. Let me explain. I book the majority of my sessions during the golden hours, which is 1.5 hours before sunset. During the summer months, this could be as late as 6-6:30pm. To families who have little ones, this time of the day is not practical as it’s bedtime for the kids. To accommodate our client’s schedule, I will need to move the session forward to around 5 or 5:30pm, or do a morning session around 8-9am. If the location we go to has no shade at all, the photos will most likely be overexposed and there’s gonna be harsh shadow. I LOVE light, but I also love soft and bright images. Having shade at the location gives me, and my clients, the flexibility with our timing. I can accommodate with their bedtime schedule, while still able to produce beautiful, soft and bright images. Ultimately, you also don’t want to pick a location that has big canopies or big trees that block all the light coming down. Then, you won’t have enough light, and plus, you can risk having colour cast from all the surrounding greenery.
Next is the crowd. We, photographers can work with small location and can turn it into something beautiful on photos. However, if the place is super crowded, we’re limited with space and options while we try to avoid people in the background. Let’s take High Park in Toronto as an example. During cherry blossom season, you know how insanely crowded the park is. It’s almost impossible to shoot in wide angle where you can take in the beauty of many blossoming trees in the background. Unless you shoot very early or very late in the day to avoid the crowd, or the gallery will contain mostly close-ups, or you will have to pay your photographer extra fees to remove everyone in the background. In addition, it’s also stressful when you’re in a crowded place. Waiting for people to move away can eat up your session time. Crowded places also mean harder to find parking, which is another thing to consider.
Lastly, photography permit. Always, always make sure you check for photography permit before going. Most places don’t require it, but there’re places like Royal Botanical Garden will surely ask you for one. If you’re unsure, check with your photographer. They will have more insights or ways to find out for you.
Over the past few years, I’ve collected a handful of locations in Halton/Hamilton areas that I truly love and can confidently recommend to my clients. They’re all public parks (except for Wyatt Farm), but they’re not super crowded and have many areas that you can utilize for photos. I’ve included photos from sessions we did at each location. The permit mentioned here is for family portraits only.
I hope these are helpful and offer you some ideas in terms of choosing a location for your upcoming session.
PALETTA MANSION
Location: Burlington, ON
Features: Beautiful historical building, tree-lined walkways, lots of flowers during Spring and Summer, trails, a creek, and a lakefront area that is not only beautiful, but also a fun area for kids.
Why I love it: Well, it’s hard not to love with all of the above features. The park can have many people during high season, however, I’ve never found it super crowded. The place is pretty big and has many areas to take photos so you will always have options to move around. On a personal level, Paletta Mansion has now become a second backyard to our family. We come here with the kids at least once a week. They love playing in the creek, and walking the trail. It’s truly a wonderful place, not only for photos, but also for family entertainment.
Permit: Not required
DUNDURN CASTLE
Location: Hamilton, ON
Features: An Italian-styled mansion built in the 1830s. Some highlight features around the building include stone walls , big pillars, lamp posts, a chapel, and an old barn. The ground is very green. Lots of trees, Spring blooms, and open areas so it doesn’t feel crowded even when there’s many people. There is also a vegetable garden, although I’m not sure if it’s open for public.
Why I love it: I can shoot here anytime during the day, morning or late afternoon. The exterior has neutral colour so I often use it as a light reflector, and sometimes a neutral backdrop for a quick headshot if my client needs one. Lots of varieties for backgrounds . Fall colours here are also beautiful. And, it’s only 15 minutes from my home which is a big plus.
Permit: Not required.
SCOTSDALE FARM
Location: Georgetown, Ontario
Features: A tree tunnel, big open fields, a white farm house with stone wall wrapped around it, a white chapel, a creek, a very cute well, and lots of greeneries all around.
Why I love it: Scotsdale farm is a gem to us photographers with endless creation possibilities. This was one of the first locations I came across when I started photography, and I’ve been coming here every single year since. The place is stunning all year round, regardless which season you come. I don’t have to say much, except this is my all-time favourite location and you must check it out.
Permit: Not required, however the place is maintained by a group of volunteers who seek donations to keep the place running. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated.
PRINCESS POINT
Location: Hamilton, ON
Features: By the lake, big open field with tall grass, winding path, tall giant trees, and gorgeous light.
Why I love it: The light!! No matter how many times I come here, I can’t help to admire how beautiful the light is, especially during sunset. The view of the lake is lovely. I usually come during the Fall, but I’m hoping to do some summer minis here. Imagine how beautiful the field would be when it’s covered with all wild flowers?!
Permit: Not required, but there’s paid parking.
KERNCLIFF PARK
Location: Burlington, ON
Features: Nested in the Niagara escarpment, Kerncliff has beautiful stone cliff in the background, a long winding board walk through marsh like setting, and trails.
Why I love it: I don’t shoot here much during the summer, but Kerncliff is STUNNING in the Fall with all the colour. This is my #1 go-to for Fall sessions.
Permit: Not required, but parking is limited. If you have a session here in the weekend, allow more time to find parking.
KELSO CONSERVATION (MAIN ENTRANCE)
Location: Milton, Ontario
Feature: A small quiet beach for morning session, board walk and beautiful trails
Why I love it: I first came to Kelso Conservation last year with the kids and quickly fell in love with the place. There is a 10-minute easy hike from the parking lot (boat rental area) to the beach, but it’s so so quiet, serene and beautiful. The beach is small but I love it exactly for that. Unlike other beach areas, you will find Kelso beach has its own uniqueness, and the boardwalk leading to it is one of them. To get better lighting, I highly recommend coming here in the morning, as soon as the park is open. The afternoon sun shines right on the water, so it’s very bright. Also, the park gets busier throughout the course of the day, so morning time is best. This is a great location if you want to combine doing a photo shoot and having a picnic afterward. Our clients even brought their beach clothes and stayed back for a swim.
Permit: Not required, but you need to make reservation online and pay an entrance fee for the park.
LION VALLEY PARK
Location: Oakville, ON
Features: Beautiful Sixteen Mile Creek runs through the park, and trails
Why I love it: This park is a gem to citizens in Oakville. I came here for the first time last year during Fall season and really loved it. The park was under construction so access to the creek was limited. However, you’d still be able find some great pockets for photos.
Permit: Not required.
WYATT FARM
Location: Burlington, ON
Features: Farm setting, farm animals, apple trees, and a very cute chick coop.
Why I love it: Wyatt Farm is a private, family-owned farm so you can get a private session here without worrying about public crowds. Jen, the owner, is lovely and sweet. She’ll let your little ones feed her ducks and chickens for cute photos.
Permit: REQUIRED.
