Canberrans are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a location for their precious family photographs. It does not matter if you live on the south or northside, everyone is 20 minutes away from a fantastic spot.
As a father and photographer, I am acutely aware of how much we treasure photos of our family. I have a bunch of locations that I have used or want to use.
I am regularly asked where the best place is to hold family photographs around Canberra. I have therefore compiled a list of locations that future clients might wish to use as inspiration for their family photo shoot.
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These are my top 5 places to locations.
1. Arboretum
This is my all-time favourite location in Canberra for photographs as there are numerous locations that you can select. The Arboretum is found just off the Tuggeranong Parkway on Forest Drive. My two favourite locations are the Himalayan Cedar forest and Cork Oak Plantation. Your kids can run amongst the Himalayan Cedars which comes alive during sunset. When they are exhausted it is time to head up the Wide Brown Land sculpture for the last of the photos. The Himalayan Cedars are located at the end of the Himalayan Cedar Road.
Sensational view from the Himalayan Cedar forest
A short drive down the dirt Cork Oak Road is the Cork Oak Plantation. The forest has stood almost as long as Canberra itself, planted in 1917 on the northern end of the arboretum. Once you enter the Arboretum, just follow the sign to the Cork Oak Forest. It is a popular spot for families and it is a great place to explore. A perfect spot for walks, picnics, or to sit under the trees and breathe in the forest air.
2. Yarralumla Woolshed
This is an oldie, but a goodie is the Yarralumla Woolshed, which is a unique piece of Canberra’s history and a fantastic place for photographs. It is located on the south side of the lake with the property located at 208 Cotter Road, Yarralumla.
The external area of the woolsheds is just perfect for rustic style photographs. It boasts wide-open areas where children can run around and sit on the stairs or the old sheep run when exhausted. Big shade trees have helped produce some of my most stunning images, but there are also plenty of open spaces to serve as blank canvases.
The side of the Yarralumla Woolshed
3. Weston Park
Weston Park, like the Arboretum, has numerous sub-locations that are just perfect for photographs. Located in Yarralumla, off Weston Park Road, park your car in the car park off Pescott Lane and it is a short walk to the beautiful pond area that is surrounded by luscious trees where you can capture beautiful reflections.
The Pond within Weston Park is a favourite for families and couples
There is a beautiful grassed area that is perfect for kids to run around. Then it is a short walk down to Lake Burley Griffin for some photos by the lake and stroll amongst the pine trees.
4. Old Parliament House
The rose gardens in the Senate and House of Representative’s courtyards of Old Parliament House represents another idyllic location for family photos. There is ample space for kids to run around and have fun in the open lawns while the parent access the seating pavilions or pergolas. The rose gardens have plenty of wisteria arbours, cross paths and trellises. The location comes alive from October to March when the roses and wisteria are in full bloom.
Old Parliament House rose gardens are located either side of Old Parliament House on King George Terrace, Parks
House of Senate Garden of Old Parliament House
5. Kingston Foreshore.
The final location in my top 5 spots to have your family portraits taken around Canberra is Kingston Foreshore. Kingston Foreshore is a bustling cultural, social, and residential hub located on the southeastern edge of Lake Burley Griffin. Located in Kingston off Wentworth Avenue the foreshore offers families a variety of options different environments. If the photo shoot allows for two locations, it is possible to have some photos around the old brickworks buildings of the old bus depot and gigantic old building of the Powerhouse before crossing the road to have some photos amongst nature and the lake.
The added advantage of the location is that right after the photo shoot it is a short walk down to some of the best restaurants in Canberra or post photoshoot coffee.