Choosing the right location for your family photography session can make all the difference.
Auckland is incredibly lucky when it comes to beautiful places to photograph families. We have wild west coast beaches, quiet bays, beautiful parks, gardens, city spaces and, sometimes, the most meaningful location of all - your own home.
As a family photographer in Auckland, I don't believe there is one perfect location for every family. The best location is somewhere that feels right for you.
Some families love the freedom of the beach. Others prefer the greenery of a park or the relaxed feeling of being at home. My job is to help you find a location where you can forget about the camera, enjoy your family and let the photographs unfold naturally.
Here are some of my favourite places around Auckland for family photography.
Bethells Beach & Piha
If your family loves the wild beauty of Auckland's west coast, Bethells Beach and Piha are hard to beat.
The dramatic black sand, rugged coastline, dunes, cliffs and beautiful natural surroundings create photographs with a wonderful sense of place.
These beaches are particularly beautiful for families who love exploring. Rather than keeping everyone in one spot, we can walk, run, play and discover the landscape together.
The west coast also has a completely different feeling from Auckland's eastern beaches. It feels wild, expansive and a little adventurous.
Bethells and Piha work beautifully for families who want photographs that feel natural, earthy and full of movement.
And don't worry about getting a little sandy. That's part of the story.
Waiheke Island
There is something magical about photographing a family on Waiheke Island. The island gives us so much variety - beaches, native vegetation, beautiful open spaces, winding roads, coastal views and gorgeous light.
It also has that wonderful feeling of being away from the everyday, even though it is so close to Auckland.
A Waiheke family photography session can be relaxed and adventurous at the same time. We might walk along the beach, explore the surroundings, stop for a cuddle or simply let the children lead the way.
For families who have a special connection with Waiheke, it can also be a particularly meaningful place to document your story.
St Heliers Beach
If you're looking for an Auckland beach that feels a little quieter and more relaxed, St Heliers Beach is one of my favourites.
I love the feeling of St Heliers for family photography. It has the beach, beautiful views across the water, interesting textures and plenty of space to move without feeling quite as busy as some of Auckland's more well-known waterfront locations.
It works beautifully for families who want a coastal session but prefer something a little more peaceful.
We can walk along the shoreline, play in the sand, explore the water and take advantage of the beautiful evening light.
There is no need to make the session feel overly structured.
St Heliers gives us plenty of room simply to enjoy being together.
Wynyard Quarter
Family photographs don't always have to happen on a beach or in a park. Wynyard Quarter offers a completely different Auckland backdrop, with its architecture, waterfront, textures and urban atmosphere.
It can be a wonderful choice if you love modern, contemporary photographs or if Auckland itself is an important part of your family's story.
The mix of water, buildings, walkways and open spaces gives us plenty of variety without having to travel far.
It's also a great option for older children, teenagers and families who want something a little different from a traditional outdoor family session.
Cornwall Park
Cornwall Park is one of Auckland's most beautiful places for a relaxed family photography session. The mature trees, open fields, winding paths and natural surroundings give us a beautiful variety of backgrounds while still allowing the photographs to feel timeless and natural.
It is particularly lovely later in the day when the light becomes softer and warmer.
Cornwall Park also gives children plenty of space to move. We can walk together, explore the trees, run through the grass, have cuddles and simply let the session unfold.
For families who love nature but don't necessarily want a beach session, Cornwall Park is a beautiful choice.
Auckland Domain & Wintergardens
For something a little more classic, Auckland Domain and the Wintergardens are wonderful options.
The Domain gives us beautiful greenery and mature trees, while the Wintergardens add a more distinctive and romantic setting.
This location can be especially lovely for maternity photography, couples and families who want something a little more elegant and timeless.
There is enough variety here to create a complete story without needing to rush from one location to another. Since the setting is so naturally beautiful, we don't need lots of props or elaborate styling. The environment does the work for us.
Your Auckland Local Beach or Park
Sometimes the best location isn't one of the famous Auckland photography locations at all.
It might be the little beach you visit every weekend.
The park where your children learned to ride their bikes.
The reserve around the corner from your house.
The place where you walk the dog every morning.
Or the spot where your family spends summer afternoons together.
These places can be incredibly meaningful because they are already part of your family's story.
I love the idea of photographing families somewhere that has significance to them rather than simply choosing a location because it looks good on Instagram. Years from now, you'll remember not only what your family looked like, but where you were in your life at that moment.
Your Own Home
And sometimes, the perfect location is simply home.
Home sessions are some of my favourite sessions because they allow me to photograph your family exactly as you are.
Your children can play with their favourite toys.
You can cuddle on the couch.
We can photograph breakfast, reading stories, playing in the garden or simply being together.
You don't need a perfectly styled home.
You don't need to clean every room.
And you certainly don't need to make your house look like a magazine.
Your home is part of your family's story.
For newborns and very young children in particular, an in-home session can be a beautiful way to document those early days without needing to pack everyone up and head somewhere else.
How Do We Choose the Right Location?
When we plan your family photography session, I'll help you choose somewhere that suits your family, rather than simply giving you a list of popular locations.
I'll think about:
Your children's ages
Their personalities
What they enjoy doing
The time of day
The season
The light
How much walking or exploring you'd like to do
Whether you prefer the beach, nature, city or home
And most importantly, how you want your photographs to feel
You don't need to know what will photograph well.
That's my job.
The Most Important Thing Isn't the Location
Beautiful locations are wonderful, but they're not what makes a family photograph meaningful.
It's the connection between you.
The way your child reaches for your hand.
The way your partner looks at you.
The laughter.
The cuddles.
The chaos.
The quiet moments.
That's what I'm looking for when I photograph your family. I don't want you spending your session worrying about posing or getting everyone to look at the camera. I want you to relax, enjoy your family and let me tell the story of this particular season of your life. Because years from now, the location will be part of the memory. But the feeling is what you'll come back to.
Let's Find Your Perfect Auckland Location
Whether you're dreaming of a wild west coast session at Bethells Beach or Piha, a relaxed afternoon at St Heliers, an adventure on Waiheke Island, an urban session at Wynyard Quarter, a walk through Cornwall Park or the Wintergardens, your favourite local park or beach, or photographs in the comfort of your own home - I'd love to help you create something beautiful.
Let's tell your family's story.