Best Photo Locations for Summertime in Buffalo NY
Are you interested in getting family photos done, but aren’t sure where you want to do them? Choosing a location can be hard and as a photographer, there are a lot of things to take into consideration when choosing a good spot. I like locations that offer a good variety as well as beautiful light and interesting and gorgeous backdrops! That being said, I wanted to share my 4 favorite locations for summer family photos around the Buffalo, NY area.
1) Woodlawn Beach in Blasdell, NY
This location is (obviously) on the beach and the sun sets right behind Lake Erie. This means gorgeous golden light around sunset time! There is also a good variety of different spots (water, trees, some cool wood formations, and a bunch of greenery), so your gallery will have options. It’s fun for kids because there’s sand and water which makes for cute shots of them playing. It’s a bit of a walk from the parking lot and if you’re not a big fan of sand everywhere, I’d say this isn’t the spot for you. But if you love the beach and are ok with the kids getting a little messy and possibly wet from splashing in the water, Woodlawn Beach is a beautiful location for your summer family photos.
2) Chestnut Ridge Park - by the Commissioner’s Cabin
Here you will get gorgeous views, a lake with a cool bridge, some wooded areas, and also some fun spots over by the cabin itself. There is also plenty of open sky to allow for beautiful lighting on you and your loved ones. I keep talking about light because I am obsessed with it and it is one of those things that will make or break your photos, so bear with me here. This is a beautiful spot and if you are looking for more of a woodsy, rustic vibe, this location would be great for you.
3) Main Street in East Aurora, NY
This spot is fun! There are so many cute shops, lots of colors, and a bunch of different designs and textures that make for really interesting photos. I also love the view of the Aurora movie theater with the lights on the sign. It has that small town energy and if you’d like photos with a bit of a different feel instead of a field or nature spot, this location would work well for you!
4) Knox Farm in East Aurora, NY
I love all these spots, but I saved my personal favorite for last. Knox Farm is huge and beautiful. If we get a night with a good sunset, that golden light is stunning. If it’s an overcast day, it’s still gorgeous. I’ve seen some epic skies here. It offers fields with long grass, paths, fences, buildings, and flowers. There is plenty of open space for kids to run - this is great if you have toddlers that enjoy running away from you. It’s easy to keep an eye on them because it has wide open spaces and there’s no water or road nearby for you to worry about your child going too close to. It’s so big that there is plenty of variety and makes for amazing photos!
Some extra things to consider when choosing a location:
I’m going to be a little blunt here because I truly want you to love your photos and there’s some things you may not think of. So please, when deciding on a location, consider your family’s personality and what you like and dislike. How do you feel about nature? If you aren’t a big fan of the woods or bugs, the woodsy spot may not be for you. The beach can be windy, so if you are very picky about how your hair looks - the beach may be tricky. If long grass drives you crazy and you don’t like walking through it, Knox Farm may not be for you because I will likely place you in a field - gorgeous, but yes, contains long grass. Main Street is near the road. If you have toddlers that like to run off, this may not work well for your family. My goal is for you to be focused on having fun as a family and being comfortable - this is the best way to get beautiful photos!
I hope this post helps if you are curious about where to do your family photos! I am of course open to different spots, but these are some of my favorites that I have worked at before and am familiar with. If you are interested in booking a family photography session with me this summer, please CONTACT ME! Happy almost summer!
