The 5 Best Outdoor Locations for Family Photos Around Raleigh, NC


Raleigh is full of beautiful spots for family photos, and each one give a different look and feel. Here are five of my favorites as a family photographer:

  1. Sugg Farm
  2. Juniper Creek Farm
  3. WRAL Azalea Garden
  4. Yates Mill
  5. NC Museum of Art (park)
A family with adult children enjoying a candid moment together while standing in a field of yellow wildflowers at NCMA

Photographs by Woodmansee Photo

Sugg Farm


Wide open fields and wooded trails make Sugg Farm perfect for photo sessions. In spring, the fresh greenery becomes a whimsical fairy garden, and in fall, the leaves create a gorgeous and vibrant backdrop. I love that you can go from farm feel with a barn and fences, to secret garden all within the same location!

A family and their two dogs pose together on an autumn evening at Sugg Farm
A cozy autumn family scene on a blanket near a black wooden fence with golden sunlight filtering through trees at Sugg Farm
A family enjoys a playful dance moment together in a grassy field surrounded by tall trees on a spring day at Sugg Farm

Photographs by Woodmansee Photo

Juniper Creek Farm


Juniper Creek Farm is a charming farm setting with rustic fences, seasonal flowers, and a red barn to round out the farm feel. Throughout the growing season, everything is lush and vibrant with the ever changing wild flower blooms. It's a private residence that you can request a permit which means my clients and I often have the space to ourselves. If you love farms, it's the perfect open space to capture the barn, flowers, and open grassy fields.

Family standing together in a vibrant red poppy field with wooden fences and green trees in the background.
A dreamy outdoor portrait in a meadow with vibrant red poppies in the foreground and lush greenery behind at Juniper Creek Farm
A family shares tender moments together while relaxing on a blanket outdoors among blooming flowers in summer at Sugg Farm

Photographs by Woodmansee Photo

WRAL Azalea Garden


The WRAL Azalea Garden is gorgeous when the azaleas and other blooms are in full display. It’s colorful, romantic, and feels like a secret garden. The garden is always maintained which means we have gorgeous blooms throughout the growing season! It's easy for families to navigate with close parking and walking paths.

A senior grad walks along a garden path surrounded by vibrant pink azaleas and lush greenery on a sunny spring day.
Family enjoying a playful moment together while walking through a sunlit pine forest path with flowering plants at WRAL Azalea Garden
A family plays together on a garden path surrounded by tall pine trees and flowering plants at WRAL Azalea Garden

Photographs by Woodmansee Photo

Yates Mill County Park


Yates Mill is a local gem with a historic mill, pond, and walking paths. The changing foliage makes it stunning year-round, from soft spring greens to fiery fall leaves. Even in winter the forest and mill add character and interest for your photos. Fun fact, this was one of the first places I visited when my husband and I first came to explore NC. Now it's home and now it's one of my favorite spots to have a photo session!

a granddaughter runs to grandparents on a wooden boardwalk over a lake, with trees visible in the background at Yates Mill
A family sits together and shares laughter at Yates Mill
A Family posing and having fun near rustic wooden barn/mill at Yates mill

Photographs by Woodmansee Photo

NC Museum of Art Park


The NCMA is where modern art meets nature. Rolling hills, unique sculptures, and seasonal fields create endless opportunities for creative shots in every season. There are so many acres to explore, from the reflection pool, to the rolling fields, to the pond, and walking paths. You can go any time of year and find the perfect spot for your photo session. It's a popular desitnation, but because it is so large, there is plenty of parking and space to photograph.

A romantic couple embraces beneath drooping willow branches in a lush summer garden setting at NCMA
Mom and Daughter stand together in a blooming sunflower field sharing laughter at NCMA
Family enjoys an outdoor picnic on a blanket with their small dog in a grassy field at NCMA

Photographs by Woodmansee Photo

Let me be your photographer


Would you like a photo session at one of these 5 locations? Let's plan something together! Send me a message and we can set some plans in place!