How to Choose the Perfect Location for Your Lehigh Valley Outdoor Photo Session

One of the first questions I hear from clients is:

"Where should we have our photo session?"

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the beautiful parks, gardens, college campuses, and historic locations throughout the Lehigh Valley, you're not alone. The good news? Choosing the perfect location doesn't have to be stressful.

One of my favorite parts of the planning process is helping families choose the perfect location for their outdoor photo session. After photographing families throughout the Lehigh Valley for more than 16 years, I've come to know which locations work best for different ages, styles, seasons, and personalities. I'll guide you through the options so you can feel confident knowing you've chosen a spot that fits your family perfectly.

The truth is, there isn't one perfect location. Instead, the best location is the one that complements your family, your style, and the memories you want to create together.

I'll Help You Every Step of the Way

Choosing a location is just one part of planning your session, and you won't have to figure it out on your own.

Once you book your session, you'll receive a Booking Confirmation email that includes a link to your personalized Session Guide. Inside, you'll find helpful planning information along with location recommendations specifically chosen for the type of session you've booked.

You'll also have access to my Locations Gallery, where you can browse many of my most popular Lehigh Valley portrait locations. Each gallery showcases real sessions photographed throughout the year, making it easy to compare locations during spring blooms, lush summer greenery, vibrant fall foliage, and even winter.

Many clients find it helpful to explore these galleries before making a decision, but if you're still unsure, I'm always happy to help. Whether you'd like recommendations based on your family's style, clothing, children's ages, or accessibility needs, I'll gladly work with you to select the location that's the perfect fit.

👉 Browse my Locations Gallery here.

How I Help You Choose the Right Location

I don't believe in taking every client to the same place.

Instead, I learn about your family and what you're hoping your portraits will feel like. Some of the questions I ask include:

• How old are the children?

• Will grandparents or extended family be joining us?

• Is anyone in your group limited by uneven ground or longer walks?

• What style of clothing are you planning to wear?

• Are you hoping for a rustic, urban, architectural, garden, or natural setting?

• Is there a particular season or scenery you're drawn to?

These answers help me recommend locations that not only look beautiful but also make your session enjoyable and stress-free.

Matching Your Family's Style to the Right Location

One of the things I love most about photographing throughout the Lehigh Valley is the incredible variety of beautiful locations available.

Rustic Charm

If you love warm textures, historic buildings, and timeless character, I often recommend:

• Burnside Plantation

• Kreidersville Covered Bridge

• Colonial District of Downtown Bethlehem

Urban & Industrial

If you're drawn to brick streets, steel, and city-inspired backdrops:

• SteelStacks

• Downtown Easton

• Jim Thorpe

Classic Architecture

Dressier clothing pairs beautifully with elegant architecture.

Some favorites include:

• Lehigh University

• Lafayette College

• Moravian University

Parks & Gardens

If you envision lush greenery and colorful gardens:

• Allentown Rose Garden

• Lockridge Park

Open Fields & Nature

For a relaxed, natural feel with tall grasses and open landscapes:

• Ballas Park

• Trexler Nature Preserve

My Favorite Locations by Session Type

Not every location works equally well for every family.

Families with Young Children

With younger children, I usually recommend locations where parking is close by and we can create lots of variety without walking long distances.

Favorites include:

• Burnside Plantation

• Lehigh University

• Allentown Rose Garden

Families with Older Children

Older children typically enjoy exploring a little more, giving us additional variety throughout the session.

Some favorites are:

• Kreidersville Covered Bridge

• Colonial District of Downtown Bethlehem

• Downtown Easton

• Jim Thorpe

• Lockridge Park

• Lehigh University

• Lafayette College

  
  

Seniors & Professional Headshots

For seniors and headshots, I love locations that provide several different looks in one session.

Some of my favorites include:

• Lehigh University

• Lafayette College

• Lockridge Park

• Trexler Nature Preserve

• Jim Thorpe

• Downtown Bethlehem

• SteelStacks

Maternity & Engagement Sessions

These sessions often photograph beautifully at architectural locations, open fields, gardens, or places that have personal meaning to you as a couple. Together, we'll find the location that best matches your vision.

Locations I Love Year Round

Some locations are beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. They offer a wonderful mix of architecture, nature, and variety, making them excellent choices in every season.

My three favorite year-round locations are:

Lockridge Park

One of the most versatile locations in the Lehigh Valley, Lockridge Park offers beautiful stone ruins, open grassy areas, mature trees, and seasonal blooms. Whether you're visiting during the bluebell bloom in the spring, surrounded by lush greenery in the summer, enjoying colorful fall foliage, or photographing against the timeless stonework in winter, it's a location that never disappoints.

Burnside Plantation

Burnside Plantation is one of my favorite choices for families with young children thanks to its close parking, smaller walking area, and beautiful rustic charm. The historic buildings, barns, fences, flower and vegetable gardens, open spaces, and mature trees create a timeless backdrop that works beautifully throughout the year.

Lehigh University

Lehigh University offers incredible variety in every season. From elegant stone architecture and beautiful wood doors to tree-lined paths with classic light poles, stone steps, fountains, and stone walls, it's a location that pairs beautifully with everything from dressy family portraits and seniors to maternity sessions and headshots. Even during the winter months, the architecture creates stunning, timeless images.

My Favorite Locations Throughout the Seasons

Every season offers something beautiful, and one of the benefits of photographing throughout the Lehigh Valley for more than 16 years is knowing when each location is at its best.

Spring

Spring is one of my favorite times of year. Fresh greenery and blooming trees create beautiful, soft backdrops for portraits.

Some of my favorite spring locations include:

• Lockridge Park for the stunning bluebells.

• Bethlehem Public Library for the beautiful magnolia trees.

• Allentown Rose Garden for the flowering cherry trees.

• Graver Arboretum for vibrant purple rhododendrons.

Summer

Summer offers lush greenery along with colorful flowers that create timeless portraits.

Some of my favorite summer locations include:

• Ballas Park for beautiful wildflower fields.

• Fox Summit Farm for sunflower sessions.

• St. Luke's Hospital Anderson Campus for gorgeous sunflower fields in late July and early August.

Fall

Fall color is spectacular throughout the Lehigh Valley, but some of my favorite locations include:

• Lehigh University

• Walnutport Canal

• Albert Ponds Reserve

• Archibald Johnston Conservation Area

• Lockridge Park

Winter

Without colorful flowers and leaves, beautiful architecture becomes the star of the session.

I often recommend:

• Lehigh University

• Downtown Bethlehem

• Lafayette College

• Lockridge Park

• Christmas Tree Farm

The Details You May Not Think About (But I Do)

After photographing families throughout the Lehigh Valley for more than 16 years, I've learned that what makes a location photograph beautifully isn't always obvious.

When recommending a location, I'm thinking about much more than just the scenery.

I'm considering:

• The direction the evening light falls.

• Clean backgrounds without distractions.

• Variety within one location, including gardens, architecture, stone walls, open spaces, and different textures.

• Safe places for young children to explore.

• Parking and walking distance.

• Accessibility for grandparents or anyone with mobility concerns.

• How your clothing will complement the surroundings.

• Whether permits or photography fees are required.

If you're looking for a location where we can park nearby and stay within a smaller area during your session, I often recommend Burnside Plantation, Kreidersville Covered Bridge, or Allentown Rose Garden.

Once we've selected your location, I may even adjust your session time by up to an hour to ensure we're photographing during the very best light for that particular date and location.

If a location requires a photography permit or additional fee, I'll let you know ahead of time. Any applicable permit information is also listed on my website.

Have a Special Place in Mind?

While I have many favorite locations throughout the Lehigh Valley, some of my favorite sessions have taken place somewhere completely unique.

If your family has a favorite park, a family farm, your own backyard, a neighborhood you love walking through, or another location that holds special meaning, I'd love to hear about it.

I'm always happy to scout a new location before your session to make sure it photographs beautifully while preserving the meaningful connection it has for your family.

Some of the most meaningful portraits aren't taken at a popular park. They're captured in places that already tell part of your family's story.

There Isn't One Perfect Location

After photographing families throughout the Lehigh Valley for more than 16 years, here's what I've learned.

There is no such thing as the perfect location.

What's far more important is choosing a place that complements your family's personality, works well with the outfits you've chosen, and provides the perfect setting to capture this season of your lives.

Some families enjoy choosing a new location every year and creating new memories together.

Others return to the same favorite location year after year.

The background may be similar, but your family is always changing. Children grow taller. Relationships deepen. New family members arrive.

That's what makes every session unique.

Years from now, you probably won't remember every flower that was blooming or every stone wall behind you.

You'll remember the laughter, the hugs, the little hands holding yours, and the joy of simply being together.

Whether we're photographing your family in a location you've loved for years or somewhere brand new, the scenery simply sets the stage.

Your family is always the heart of the photograph.

Those are the memories worth preserving.

Let's Find a Location for Your Session Together

Whether you already have a favorite location in mind or have absolutely no idea where you'd like your session to take place, I'm here to help.

From your Booking Confirmation and Session Guide to my Location Gallery and personal recommendations, I'll guide you through every step of the planning process so choosing a location feels easy and enjoyable.

Together, we'll choose a location that reflects your family's personality, complements your wardrobe, and creates timeless portraits you'll treasure for years to come.

If you're ready to start planning your outdoor photo session, I'd love to help you find the perfect location to tell your family's story.

I can't wait to create something beautiful with you!