You’ve decided it’s time for some new family photos, but your next question is, where to go? I’m so grateful to call Long Island home, especially because it’s home to endless beautiful nature reserves, hidden gems and sweet old towns. When it comes to choosing a backdrop for photos, we’re truly spoilt for choice! So, whether your family adores weekends at the beach or prefers evening strolls discovering new towns, I’m sure we’ll be able to find the perfect backdrop for your family portraits – starting with 10 of the Best Locations for Long Island Family Photography. 

Best Summer Locations for Long Island Family Photography

• By the Beach

Long Island is famous the world over for its beautiful beaches, making it the perfect Location for Long Island Family Photography. Really, when it comes to beach locations, we’re spoilt for choice! Although Long Island is also famous for its surf, thankfully it also offers plenty of calm, white sand beaches that are safe for the little ones and a beautiful backdrop for your family photos. Some of the most popular spots are the Hamptons, Sunken Meadow State Park, Montauk and Robert Moses, but there are many more to choose from! 

Family portraits by the beach are always filled with such joy because the kids can’t help but to play. There’s always something new to discover and the immense fun of dipping tiny toes in the cool saltwater. Having Family Photos at one of Long Island’s beaches is an especially good option if you have kids with endless energy, who might get tired of playing at home.

• Sunflower field

Long Island by mid-summer has the fields bursting with sunflowers and other brightly colored flowers, and many farms allow you to cut your own bouquet to bring home. Its the perfect backdrop for your family photos specially if you enjoy the farm, rural settings! Some of my favorites are Waterdrinker Farm, Pindar Vineyards and North Fork sunflower maze

• Vineyard 

With so many wineries on the East End now welcoming children, Long Island wine country has become a huge destination not just for couples and bachelorette parties, but for families with kids, too. Believe me, the vines make such a beautiful and romantic backdrop for couples and family as well.

• At My Secret Open Field

Long Island is my home, so I’ve had plenty of time to scout out beautiful locations that are perfect for Family Photography sessions. Usually, I’m more than happy to share, but there are a few spots that I like to keep secret; exclusive Family Portrait Locations just for my clients. If you decide to book with me, ask me about my Secret Open Field in the heart of Long Island. It has tall grass and expansive fields. Your little ones will love being able to run free, while the golden fields make for a memorable backdrop.

Best Fall Spots for Long Island Family Portraits

• Your Family’s Favorite Local Park

If your kids can be a bit shy, or nervous of new places, why don’t we plan to meet at their favorite local park? Long Island is filled with beautiful parks that make for Ideal Family Photography Locations, and if it helps your little ones to feel safe and comfortable, then even better. I especially love taking Family Portraits at parks during the fall, when the leaves have changed from green to a beautiful golden brown and there’s a hint of magic in the air.

• Long Island famous Orchards 

Long Island's pick-your-own apple farms are scattered throughout the East End, making apple picking the perfect family activity to kick off the fall season. From small farm stands to orchards with dwarf trees sized just right for little hands, to other family-friendly venues, these are perfect time to take me with you in your family outing.

Best Locations for Long Island Family Photography in the Winter

• Long Island’s Beautiful Greenhouses

Long Island has some truly beautiful Greenhouses that make for beautiful Family Portrait Locations, especially in the cooler months. During the wintertime, Greenhouses are still warm inside and protected from the wind, rain and the snow. Their endless foliage makes for luscious backgrounds, and it’s always fun playing hide & seek with your little ones amongst the greenery. One of my favorite Long Island Greenhouses is the Bayport flower house 

Best Places on Long Island for Family Photos During Spring

• Family Portraits at the Planting Fields Arboretum

Located in Oyster Bay, the Planting Fields Arboretum is a location filled with vibrant colors and has plenty of hidden angles to explore. There are wide open fields where kids can roam free. Lifestyle and documentary photography is all about capturing moments as they happen, so I love spaces like this where your kids personalities can shine.

•  Explore Some of Long Island’s Idyllic Urban Settings

If you’d prefer an urban backdrop, then don’t fret! Long Island has some beautiful family photography locations for you as well, including idyllic small towns like Stony Brook village. Here we can explore beautiful streets, stopping for a coffee and a cappuccino in the winter, or a melty gelato in the summer. Lifestyle Photography means photographing your life as it happens, and if exploring new towns is your family’s favorite weekend activity, then I’d love to capture that for you.

• A rustic unique farm

If you like a quaint place with a little of bit of everything you would see in a real farm Peconic Herb Farm is the place to go. There is a stunning greenhouse, a beautiful barn surrounded by the most beautiful garden.

 There are so many other incredible locations for Family Photos on Long Island that I’d love to share with you. When you book a family portrait session with me, I’ll take the time to get to know you and your family so that I can suggest the best places that suit you. If you’d like to start planning your family’s next portrait session, then get in touch with me now by clicking on the button below.