Best Locations for Family Photos in North Brisbane
“Where should we have our family photos taken?” is one of the first questions I get asked. The location of your shoot obviously plays a big role in the overall look of your photos – bush or beach? At home or outdoors? But while you might know your favourite places based on what you do there, you probably don’t think of whether they’d suit family photos. How’s the light? Are there textures to capture? Enough space to gain distance from other people?
If you follow me on social media, you’ll see I spend a lot of time pursuing these elusive locations. I find so much inspiration being outside, immersing myself in nature and soaking up the natural light. Discovering these secret, special pockets around Brisbane is one of my favourite reasons to get outdoors. It allows me to combine two of my loves – being outdoors and practicing my craft – and it’s all the excuse I need to take photographs of my own beautiful family!
If you’re thinking this all sounds great, but what about your photos…relax and let me take care of it. Once you’re all booked in and we’ve picked the date, I’ll send you my exclusive location guide with plenty of secret spots. We’ll chat through the look and feel you’re after, as well as how far you’re willing to travel. Together, we’ll pick the best location for you and your family.
Family Photos & Extended Family Photoshoot Locations around Brisbane
One of the most important things is finding a location you’ll feel relaxed in – this is where the magic flows. If yours is a water-loving family, local beaches, rivers and creeks can be the perfect spot (my clients know I always recommend they bring towels!).
If you’d rather have the beautiful grey-green of local bushland on your walls, I have a long list of unspoilt spaces that offer amazing texture and variety - essential for capturing magic with your loved ones. Because I tend to favour secluded spots over busy parks, I often manage to capture an encounter with local wildlife - even in Brisbane.
You’ll notice that not many of my photos are taken in busy, urban areas or popular parks. Why? So many other people! Generally I find families are already a little bit nervous to have their photos taken (particularly dads!), and while I’m an expert at getting everyone feeling relaxed and comfortable, having an audience is definitely going to make that harder for you, which will show in your photos.
Here’s a few of my favourite family shoot locations around Brisbane:
Extended Family Photoshoot Locations around Brisbane
Love across generations is one of a kind. If you’re fortunate to be capturing your extended family together, I know all the best locations that give us enough space and variety to capture everyone together, as well as having a unique space for smaller family groups.
Newborn Photoshoot Locations
For newborn photography, home is where it’s at. Keep that fresh little bundle safe, warm and comfortable. I know that newborn haze: flooded with emotions, exhausted, aching from birth and wondering when sleep will come. In my newborn photoshoots, I want to make it as easy as possible for you to cherish the newborn snuggles and milk-drunk moments while we preserve this fleeting phase. Your babe can feed and sleep as it suits them, and you’ll feel far more relaxed to capture these intimate portraits of motherhood in your own home.
Having your newborn photoshoot at home also helps us to easily include siblings, pets and a little splice of what your home looked like when you had babies. No doubt it will change by the time your child is old enough to be looking back at these images and it will bring all kinds of nostalgic feelings to see the various furniture and toys from a time gone by.
For inspiration, here’s some of my favourite newborn shots at home:
Maternity Photoshoot Locations
Becoming a mother – a moment that forever alters who you are and shapes who you will become. The best location for your maternity photos is the one where you feel the most at ease. Natural spaces and your home can be equally captivating. If outdoors is your preference, I’ve got a few favourite locations for maternity shots that help make the most of that beautiful baby bump.
Below is a combination of Brisbane photoshoot locations and some favourites done at home to help you decide:
My final thoughts on locations
The style of the photographer is more important than the location. Find a photographer whose style resonates with you first – they should have plenty of location ideas.
Don’t dismiss the idea of having your photography taken at home. Once your children have grown, having beautiful photographs in your family home becomes even more special. Capture what your family life is like now, mess and all.
Trust your photographer. This is what we live, breathe and love. Sometimes, I’ll encourage a leap of faith somewhere new, or we’ll pick a location that involves a bit of a hike. Often the journeys can deliver the most amazing photographs.
And finally, remember to have fun and enjoy the process, wherever you are. The looks of joy and connection are what you’ll treasure forever, no matter where they were captured.
