Where to go for your Outdoor Family Portraits North of Boston
Tips from a pro...
the best outdoor family portraits
north of Boston.
The warm weather in Massachusetts doesn't last long... and you want to plan ahead to find the perfect place and time for an outdoor family photography session! You aren't sure where to start or where to go and how you're going to wrangle your family members together to make the family photos happen. On this page, I thought it best to pull together a simple guide on where to plan your outdoor family photos north of Boston and let you know a few key dates when I will be scheduling sessions.
Of course, there is always the option to plan a portrait at your special place, backyard or nearby vacation home. If you want a special place, let's chat and find a date and time that works.
The following are a few of my favorite locations that I know well. They are places that I know will make ideal locations for a family portrait in the summer or fall.
These are my favorite locations on the North Shore of Boston for outdoor portraits.
1. Endicott Park, Danvers MA
Endicott Park is ideal for families of all ages, for many reasons! It is so wonderful any time of day, which is great if we are working around a young toddler's napping schedule, or can only get the family together during a morning. We have plenty of shade to avoid squinting eyes, and there are so many pretty spots around the park. The pond area is my favorite, which makes a gorgeous background for portraits. The birch trees are light and airy and add a beautiful design element to your family's portrait. The park is very well maintained and is operated by the Town of Danvers. Dogs are welcome here.
ENDICOTT PARK
Highlights: pond, birches, plenty of shade.
Great all day long, wonderful for all ages, has bathroom facilities, farmyard & playground. There's just a minor parking charge of $3 per vehicle.
Summer sessions by appointment, Tuesday to Friday, and select Saturdays.
Advance planning is important in order to secure a permit.
2. Forest River Park, Salem MA
Forest River is a beautiful waterfront park in Salem, close by and down the road from Salem State. This location is great for getting water views of Salem harbor, and has the benefit of large leafy green trees all around you to provide shade and relief from the hot sun. I love this location because you do not have to wait til sunset to get great family portraits. For that reason, it is ideal for babies and younger children who would not be at their best for a sunset session since it is too close to their bedtime. The shade allows us to avoid squinty eyes caused by direct sunlight and allows us to have cooler conditions for your summer portraits under the canopy. Dogs are welcome here.
3. Winter Island, Salem MA
Winter Island is a favorite beach location around the north shore in summertime. It is best at the end of the day on a weekday evening, close to sunset, when the light is beautiful and there are no crowds. I always recommend scheduling this location at the end of the day because it is out of the direct sun and the sun is lower on the horizon. This can be a lovely place for portraits, but keep in mind, these sessions are limited by the nature of the tides and sunset. We can only get the seagrass at mid to low tide. And we prefer to only go to this beach at the end of the day, around 6pm or 7pm, depending on the sunset.
WINTER ISLAND PARK
Highlights: Gorgeous variety of backgrounds with seagrass, rocks, water, and lighthouse. Great for working families & can be booked after hours in the summertime, dogs welcome.
Available select weekday evenings 1-2 hours prior to sunset, usually 6 & 7pm. Dates are limited as they are based on the tide chart to coincide with mid to low tide.
4. Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester MA
Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester is beautiful. It is also very very popular in the summer... and can get crowded. For that reason, I often plan to go to this location only at the very end of the day, and/or at the end of the season, when we are likely to run into fewer crowds. We want your portraits to look as if you are the only ones there, without having to be concerned with who might be in the background of your ocean front backdrop. Also, after Labor Day, you are able to bring a dog.
WINGAERSHEEK BEACH
Highlights: backgrounds include... beautiful wide smooth rock formations, soft sand, shallow water's edge. Great conditions at either low or high tide, plus free parking after 5pm, dogs welcome after Labor Day.
Not ideal for very young children due to the time of day (after 5pm), can be extremely crowded beach in high season.
Summer weekday evenings by appointment, Tuesday to Friday.
September evening weekends after Labor Day, subject to availability.
5. Moraine Farm, Beverly MA
On select dates in October, I host a fundraiser for the Friends of the Olmsted Landscape at Moraine Farm. The sessions are 45 minutes each, so we can accommodate several families during the peak foliage. This is a beautiful historic location and is quintessential New England. And we have been granted exclusive access to this property -- no other photographers have permission. Well-behaved dogs are welcome here.
MORAINE FARM
Highlights: fall foliage, stone walls, rural setting, unpaved road, large leafy maple trees.
Great all day long, wonderful for all ages, dogs permitted (leashed), helps a cause.
2024 Fall Foliage Fundraiser event dates are:
Saturday October 12
Tuesday October 15
Wednesday October 16
Thursday October 17
Saturday October 19
6. Your Special Location
So, I've shared my favorite locations around the North Shore of Massachusetts, close to Salem and Lynn. But let's talk about your special location and consider planning a session where you are. If you choose an outdoor location that is special for you and your family, you will be certain to create a more meaningful portrait. Perhaps it's a summer home, or your own backyard or a favorite park. Or maybe there is a special date you have in mind when you are taking time off from work to spend with your family. Let's plan ahead for what works for you.
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Voted Best Children's Photographer Boston
Named Best Children's Photographer Boston by the Boston A-List City Voter online poll in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
Bobbie Bush is a professional portrait photographer located north of Boston, Massachusetts in Lynn MA, serving the north shore Massachusetts, specializing in children and family photography. She has been named one of the Best Boston Photographer, after being named Boston's Best Children's Photographer in 2017 by the Boston A-List online competition and by the CBS Boston WBZ editors.
For the Best Portrait Photographer Boston, come to Bobbie Bush, specializing in children's and family photography north of Boston. She has been named Boston's Best Children's Photographer in 2011, 2014 and 2017 by the Boston A-List online competition and by the CBS Boston WBZ editors. Bobbie serves clients all over the north shore of Boston in Essex County including Salem, Lynn, Beverly, Peabody, Marblehead, Danvers, Swampscott, South Hamilton, Wenham, Manchester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Middleton, Nahant, Boxford, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport, Andover, North Andover, Lynnfield, Georgetown, Amesbury, Groveland, Salisbury, Merrimac, Saugus, Haverhill, Methuen, and Lawrence.
BEST CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER BOSTON • BOSTON FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER • MASSACHUSETTS PHOTOGRAPHER • BOSTON FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY • PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO NORTH OF BOSTON • NORTH SHORE MA