Hi there friends!
So you are planning to take your family photo or your yearly photos of your kids and you want a great place to take the pictures. I have the answer below. I whipped out my camera and drove around to find some of the best places to take those photos. These are all outdoor locations that are free (best part right!). They offer beautiful back drops for those priceless photos. Here we go:
EC Lawrence Park
This park is located off Walney Rd. in Chantilly VA. It offers a great pond, bridge and steps. This locale is great for that outdoorsy feel and is absolutely beautiful in the fall.
Cabell’s Mill
This location is across the street from EC Lawrence Park in Chantilly VA. There are a ton of options to choose from here, from the beautiful brick/stone house, a well, a stream and a great brick wall. As you can see below, I just recently took my girls photos here.
Manassas Battlefield
This location is in Manassas VA and offers many great backdrops. In the summer and fall the tall grasses are beautiful. The Stone House at the intersection of Rte 29 and Sudley Rd is a great spot with the battlefield fences and house for visual interest.
Bull Run Park
Located in Centreville VA off of Bull Run Post Office Rd., this locale provides great fences to use for visual interest. A raised boardwalk that takes you to the blue bells in the spring. There are also plenty of trees to place your kids in if that’s what you like. One note, if you plan to do the raised boardwalk or bluebells make sure you wear tennis shoes as it is about a quarter to half mile trek to get out there. This place is beautiful in both the spring and fall.
Love Sign in Manassas
This sign is located at 9201 Center St in Manassas and is iconic. It would be great for modern portrait sessions. Be aware though that going on the weekend will be crowded and you may get some stragglers in your photos.
Clifton VA
This location is great for that old town feel. It has train tracks that go through it. Beware though, these are active train tracks and while I was shooting the photos below a train did whiz by.
I hope this helps you get your best photos. Drop me a comment below if you have any other great options in Northern VA. I do plan to go out and hit some other spots to add to this list!
