All my personal favorite locations for Family and Maternity Sessions | Richmond Virginia Family Photographer
Richmond has a wide variety of options when it comes to locations! Which can easily make choosing one for your session even more daunting. I’ve put together a list of the best Richmond locations. I hope this helps you when planning your portrait session!
First up! My absolute favorites!
Cold Harbor Battlefield Park.
This location is in Mechanicsville and is beautiful and simple so we can really focus on you! It is an easy walk from the parking lot and I have never seen it busy. The light is stunning coming through the treeline in the evening. Every once in a while, we get even get extra lucky and there are some tall grasses. Cold Harbor Battlefield Park would be great for an extended family, to a cake smash, and everything in between. I put this one at the top of my Richmond locations list for a reason 🙂 .
Libby Hill Park.
This location is located in Richmond and overlooks the River. It has a unique view of the city and has a variety of portrait locations with minimal walking. Libby Hill Park can get busy, especially on the weekends, and has street parking.
In the Fall, Libby Hill Park is also known to have those beautiful fall colors!
VMFA Gardens.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is another stunning location that packs an amazing variety in one area. Housed in the Museum District, the garden grounds are very well kept, and there is everything from beautiful foliage to stunning architecture. There is a parking deck with $5 daily parking, as well as some free street parking behind the museum.
Rural Plains Park.
This park is a hidden gem in Mechanicsville. If you are looking for “Virginia Greens,” this is it! This is another one with easy parking and minimal busyness, other than the occasional person out doing some exercise or walking their dog.
Meadow Farm Park.
This park is located in Glen Allen, right off of 295. It is the epitome of pretty, rustic vibes, if that’s what you’re looking for. This part of the park is located towards the back of Crump Park, and has its own easily accessible parking lot. This is another park that packs a punch when it comes to variety!
Historic Hanover Courthouse.
This Hanover location is great for family portraits! The grounds are beautiful, and filled with large trees and old stone walls that make wonderful backdrops. The courthouse architecture itself is stunning when you go under the arches.
Extra Fan Favorites!
Maymont Park is a classic Richmond location for a reason! It is simply stunning! Plus, the photography fees have been recently lifted! This one does require a bit more exploring than other locations and is typically very busy on the weekends. Keep in mind, the park closes at 5pm in the fall and winter months.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is another gorgeous park in the Richmond area. This park has a rose garden, a stunning glass observatory, and thousands of plants and flowers. They do have a $100 photography fee, which includes admission for up to 6 people including your photographer. Their photography permit is only for weekdays between 9am-3:30pm due to the high volume of guests in the park during the weekends.
Historic Tuckahoe is another beautiful location if you’re looking for spring blooms, or amazing fields for your session. They do require a $50 photography fee.
A sunflower field! There are so many sunflower fields in the Richmond area and make for great short portrait locations! The trickiest part is figuring out the timing of when the sunflowers are in bloom. Typically, these are in the summer months, and without shade, so it’s best to keep theses sessions short and sweet for everyone involved. But just know, I’ll rarely pass up the opportunity for a sunflower session!
Bonus Location Idea: Family Property!
Family property can easily be overlooked. If you or someone in your family has land you think would be beautiful for a session, definitely mention it! There’s nothing like the comfort of your own home, or a familiar place.
The Best Richmond Locations for Portraits
Hey! I’m Stephanie! Thank you so much for stopping by! I’m a Richmond, Virginia light and bright photographer specializing in Family Newborn Sessions and Birth Photography. I hope you found my Richmond location guide helpful. If you’re ready to talk with me more about your own outdoor session, reach out here! Not quite ready, but want to keep me on your short list? Feel free to check out more of my portrait work here, and connect with me on Instagram! Either way, I can’t wait to connect with you!
