My 5 Favorite Locations for Family Photos in Raleigh NC
Choosing the right location for your family photos can make all the difference. Raleigh, NC has so many beautiful options, but the best location is always the one that fits your family’s personality and energy.
Here are my 5 favorite locations for family photos across the Triangle: Raleigh- Durham, NC & the vibes they bring to photos:
1. NC Museum of Art Park | Raleigh NC
Perfect for: families who love space, creativity, and variety.
If your family enjoys wide-open spaces and a mix of nature with a variety of different sceneries the NC Museum of Art Park is a favorite. It’s also a great location during every season & cloudy or sunny, so it’s aways a safe option!
This location offers:
Open fields and walking paths
A beautiful, glowy willow tree (Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall).
The iconic Glass Wall
Plenty of room for kids to explore & be wild
I love this location for the variety it offers: long winter grass, beautiful spring fields, glowy summer sessions in the willow trees & tiny white daisies in early fall. Sessions here feel relaxed and natural, especially for families who don’t want to feel boxed in or overly posed. It’s a great option if you love images that feel intentional but still playful with space for real movement and interaction & the ability to let your family be your family.
Best Season: Spring-Winter (Minus Mid-October during the NC State Fair!)
2. Fred Fletcher Park | Raleigh NC
Perfect for: families who love classic, manicured & connection
Fred Fletcher Park is a classic Raleigh family photo location, especially popular with families who want a elevated and joyful feel. The manicured walk ways and seasonal flowers offer beautiful backdrops for each season. I love this location in spring for a beautiful flower filled maternity session or early fall family session, once the leaves are just starting to release their colors!
This location offers:
Manicured scenery- short cut grass, paved walkways, designed garden areas
Beautiful composition and sessions filled with connection & slowness
Classic Raleigh, NC park feel
I love this location for all sessions- minis to full family sessions. It offers the freedom to play & run or be calm & connected. Since the best spots are close together, there is room for toddler movement, if needed, or variety for longer sessions. It also offers a beautiful spring flower backdrop, similar to Duke Gardens, but minus the cost of the require permits.
Best Season: Spring & Early-Mid Fall
3. Historic Oak View County Park | Raleigh NC
Perfect for: families who love timeless, clean, and storytelling images
Historic Oak View has a quieter, more nostalgic feel and that’s what makes it so special. There are timeless brick walkways, historic white barns & homes, white fences with possibly a few goats in view! This location is ideal for families who want images that feel timeless, deeply connected, clean & full of glowy light.
This location offers:
Small intimate spaces for connection & wide open pecan fields for fun & play.
A peak into history, surrounded by a historic home and gardens
Space to capture a variety of backdrops throughout the grounds.
If you love timeless, soft, and storytelling-style photos, Historic Oak View Park is a beautiful choice. Its historic buildings, shaded paths, and calm atmosphere create images that feel classic and emotionally rich. This location does require a free, but limited availability, permit for photography, so the session must be planned with enough time to secure the permit.
Best Season: Late Spring, Summer, Fall
4. West Point on the Eno | Durham NC
Perfect for: families who love nature & slow, un-hurried sessions
West Point on the Eno is a favorite for families who love nature and NC Pines! With open grassy areas & often unoccupied spots, this location offers a peaceful setting for play and connection.
This location offers:
Wide open fields surrounded by tall NC Pines
A clean white historic home surrounded by a white picket fence
Space to capture fun & play, but also calm & connection
I love this location for it’s un-hurried vibe & it offers the best of both worlds: space to run and play, allowing toddlers to move and be themselves and a more classic, historic white home, allowing for more intimate connection within a clean backdrop!
Best Season: Summer- Early Winter. My favorite month here is September!
5. The Rizzo Center | Chapel Hill, NC
Perfect for: families who love polished style, classic portraits, coordinated outfits
The Rizzo Center is ideal for families who want a more polished and refined look. Its manicured grounds and clean brick architecture create elegant family photos while still allowing space for natural interaction.
This location offers:
Manicured landscaping surrounded by classic Chapel Hill NC brick pathways & bulidings
A beautiful garden in early spring or late fall
Glowy light filtered through all the well maintained trees
The Rizzo Center is perfect for families who love a timeless, editorial feel. Since this tends to be a slower location, sessions here tend to feel calm and intentional, which is perfect for families who enjoy structure but still want room for genuine interaction.
Best Season: Spring (just in time for the pink dogwood blooms) - Early Winter.
Choosing the Best Family Photo Location in and around Raleigh NC
The right family photo location should help you feel comfortable, relaxed, and like yourselves. When your environment matches your family’s personality, the photos naturally feel more genuine and connected.
If you’re unsure which location is best for your family photos, I’m always happy to help you decide.
