Outdoor Sessions

As a photographer that loves natural light and the outdoors my preference is to shoot in those conditions. We’re fortunate to live in an area that has wonderful parks and beautiful architecture, so the options seem limitless when considering a place to shoot. The various locations throughout the area provide unique backgrounds for your images and you’ll look amazing in the natural light.

I’ve provided a list below of some potential locations, but this is only a fraction of what’s available in our area. You may also want to consider your home or yard if this is a possibility. Since your children and pets are at ease in their own space it may be a great place to shoot.

Fairfax County Parks

Fairfax County has hundreds of community and neighborhood parks that can be used for photo shoots. Some have entry fees and others do not. However, all of the Fairfax County parks require an annual permit which I have and most do not have any type of scheduling requirement. The exceptions are Green Springs Gardens, Colvin Run Mill, Sully Historic Site and Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. These four parks have additional requirements that we can address if one is chosen for our shoot. 

To obtain more information on the Fairfax County parks you can follow this link: Fairfax County Parks  

Meadowlark Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA

A 95-acre park filled with ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections located in Vienna, Virginia. Meandering walking trails take you through woods, around ponds and through numerous gardens. There are small bridges, fountains, gazebos, and other interesting features to use during photography sessions. 

The entry fee is $6 per adult and $3 per child. There is also a $25 photography fee and they limit 5 photography permits per day.  

You can see more about Meadowlark Gardens by following this link: Meadowlark Gardens

Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA

An 888-acre park with several miles of trails, a beautiful lake and a miniature train. There are numerous activities for families such as mini-golf, disc golf, boating, etc. With the mixture of woods, fields and the lake it’s a great place to take pictures.

There is no entry fee for Fairfax County residents and a $10 per car for non-residents. No permits or fees are required for shooting at this location.  

You can see more about Burke Lake Park by following this link: Burke Lake Park

National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC

With 9.5 miles of winding roadways meandering through 446 acres of incredible gardens, the photography options at this site are limitless. There are numerous collections, exhibits, garden features and the National Capitol Columns.  

There is no entry fee but a permit is required for shooting at this location. A half day permit is $250 and full day is $500. In addition, the permitting process takes several weeks so proper planning is required.  

You can see more about the National Arboretum by following this link: National Arboretum

Old Town Alexandria

A favorite for couples due to the waterfront, cobblestone streets, ivy covered walls, gardens and historic buildings. Another small geographic area within our area that offers countless options for photographs.   

There are no fees or permits required for this location. However, parking and traffic can be burdensome.   

You can see more about Old Town Alexandria by following this link: Old Town Alexandria