Atlanta is a big, green city with lots of great parks and locations for family photography. In truth, almost anywhere with adequate light will work, but finding a place that has some variety, uniqueness and isn?t too far to hike ? especially for those with props or short legs in tow ? is critical information to make sure your family photo session is beautiful and enjoyable. Photo sessions should be a fun family activity, not an ordeal.
As experienced family photographers in the Atlanta area, we have the sweat equity to recommend a curated list of accessible, fun locations around Atlanta for a family photoshoot. Here it is, in no particular order:
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: 95 Mill St, Roswell, GA 30075Permit Required: $50Roswell Mill is a scenic landmark featuring a historic mill, covered bridge & a man-made waterfall. Hiking trails also offer many places for beautiful nature shots among the trees, rocks and flowers. The area is a photographer?s pleasure as there are lots of rustic, clean places covered in shade (which is best for photo editing and to avoid squinty eyes). It also has bathrooms and is an easy walk from the ample parking lot.
Piedmont Park
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30309Atlanta?s largest park offers a huge variety of locations, blending nature and the picturesque Atlanta skyline in the background. The park sports a lake, trees, fields and flowers, offering a variety of settings in a single shoot, and compositing nature and the distinct setting of the city of Atlanta in every shot. This combination makes it a winner for engagement photoshoots, family photoshoots and senior photos alike. Its central location, versatility and affinity for Atlanta makes it one of our favorite locations to shoot.
Oakland Cemetery
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312Atlanta?s oldest cemetery is also a historical landmark, with old beauty encrusted throughout the site. While the location type may seem a bit dark, typically the pictures do not betray the morbose. Because it has been maintained and contributed to by so many old Atlantan families, the flora and fauna, not to mention the quiet benches and impressive sculptures, are a photographer?s dream. You can shoot Oakland Cemetery over and over again with different beautiful results each time. This setting is ideal for bold and edgy seniors & old souls alike. For more pictures to prove a photoshoot in a cemetery is pretty cool see check out our slideshow here.
Turnipseed Farms
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: 685 Glynn St S, Fayetteville, GA 30214Fees: $25 per hour, on the honor systemLocated south of Atlanta, this photographer and painter?s paradise was originally established in 1936 by the Stinchcomb family as a vegetable farm. In the 1978, they swapped the vegetables for a nursery and established their notorious gardens built around centerpieces like arches, doors, windows, benches and swings that offer a distinctly eclectic vibe. The lake has swans and ducks, while the surrounding fields offer dense patches of wildflowers that make for a variety of beautiful photos in a very small location. It is such a beautiful place, even HGTV has profiled it. Again, more photos in the slideshow here.
Sope Creek Papermill Ruins
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: Brook Hollow Cir, Marietta, GA 30067Tucked into East Cobb county, Sope Creek Park offers an easy half mile hike to some incredible stone ruins of a paper mill destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War. Surrounded by trees and a glassy pond, the variety of scenery offers endless fodder for photography. And of course, the castle-like ruins carved from the south?s Civil War history creates a perfect canvas for our Georgain sons and daughters.
Powers Island ? Cochran Shoals
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: 5450 Interstate N Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328Situated near Vinings, Powers Island is somewhat of a hidden gem within the popular Cochran Shoals Park. Serene and often deserted, this nook of the park offers a 2.5 mile loop crossing a metal bridge to the island, an inlet, and arguably the most scenic spots on the Chattahoochee river?s banks. A bit long, and some moderate hiking, shooting on this location offers a day of exploring and adventure, while offering a wide variety of Kodak moments along the way to capture seniors on Atlanta?s iconic Chattahoochee river.
Serenbe Farms
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: 8715 Atlanta Newnan Rd, Palmetto, GA 30268Permit Required: $100 for the whole day per photographer (could be shared among families)
Situated on 1,000 acres of rolling hills, pastures and woodlands with its four farming hamlets nestled among them, Serenbe provides the most picturesque diversity for any photoshoot in the Atlanta area. Horse farms, unique landmarks, waterfalls, bridges and the super-cute quaint towns provide ample backdrops for family, engagement and senior portraits alike. A trip to Serenbe is easily a full day?s experience, with restaurants serving food grown on the farm as a healthy reward afterwards.
Costley Mill Park
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: Near Conyers, address provided upon appointmentA private park located in Conyers that we have access to (Note: for others, this park charges $50 per hour for photoshoots), this secluded spot is furnished with a pavilion, a waterfall fed pond, a beach where American Pie was filmed, and a variety of rustic props and custom architecture. A day at Costley Mill delivers an exclusive photoshoot location and a memorable family outing all in one day. Exploring the park can easily render the photoshoot as secondary, while naturally creating relaxed and fun family or senior photos.
Thrasher Park with Lillian Webb Park and Historic Norcross
Kasey Keown Photography
Address: 93 Park Dr, Norcross, GA 30071Located within 1000 feet of Historic Norcross and the popular Lillian Webb Park fountains, Thrasher Park is an idyllic public green space with an amphitheater, pavilion, gazebo and a splash park to reward kids after a family photoshoot. It is also located on one of the original railroad lines which run along the adorable streets of Historic Norcross. Especially for those seniors and families from the Norcross area, this small cluster of sites provides for a variety of photos that represent hometown pride.
Honorable Mentions
This post is designed to highlight a few of our favorite photo locations for the Atlanta area with some pictures from shoots we have done around town. However, Atlanta is a veritable treasure trove of photo locations, hence Atlanta is earning the name Atlwood ? the Hollywood of the South.
There are lots of places to mention, but we would be remiss to not mention your family home as a location first. Especially for seniors, photos at home can be a sentimental reminder of where they came from as they venture out in the world.
A few other areas for inspiration include:
In Atlanta:
- Krog Street Tunnels
- Atlanta Botanical Gardens
- Grant Park
- Old Fourth Ward Park & Ponce City Market
- Jackson Street Bridge
- Atlanta Beltline
- Little 5 Points
- Centennial Olympic Park & Skyview Ferris Wheel
- Lullwater Park
- Peachtree Dekalb Airport
- Whittier Mill Park
- The Swan House in the Atlanta History Center
- Cator Woolford Gardens
Outside of Atlanta:
- Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain
- Downtown Decatur and the Decatur Courthouse in Decatur
- Downtown Newnan in Newnan
- Water Tower ? Old Decatur Water Works in Decatur
- Anderson?s Sunflower Farms in Cumming (seasonal)
- Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain
- Morgan Falls Overlook Park in Sandy Springs
- Garrard Landing Park in Alpharetta
- McDaniel Farm Park in Duluth
- Smith Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw
- Vines Botanical Gardens in Loganville
- Marietta Square in downtown Marietta
See More Photos From These Atlanta Area Photoshoots
All of the senior portraits, engagement photos and family photography in this post were taken by Kasey Keown Photography. To see more photos check out the slideshows in the post 35 Locations Around Atlanta For Family Photoshoots & Senior Portraits. To request your session, contact us via our website or email us at [email protected]!
