Lancaster Family photographer

Best Lancaster Locations for Family Photos

A golden hour family photo session during the fall at Lancaster County Central Park.

If you are looking for a beautiful outdoor location to have your family photos taken in Lancaster County, here are some of my top favorite spots. These Lancaster photo shoot locations are all easily accessible, free and open to the public. Furry friends are welcome too! All of the parks listed below give children plenty of space to explore and have a variety of backdrops throughout the seasons.

CONSIDER THE SEASON

In addition to logistics, its also important to consider the time of year you’re having your photos taken. The season will determine what you wear and the start time for your session. The location combined with your clothing choices will set the tone and the mood. Are you running through wildflower fields in flowy dresses in summertime? Or layering with warm sweaters and scarves and walking through a colorful fall forest? Also keep in mind that the best start time for golden hour can vary from 4 p.m. in fall to as late as 7 p.m. in the summer. Timing is key for families with young children who have earlier bed times. I am open to early morning sessions, but my preference is always to photograph during evening golden hour.

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

As a seasoned photographer, I know many of these parks like the back of my hand. I know which spots have the best golden hour light (FYI, nearly all of the photos you will see here were taken during golden hour, about 60-90 minutes before sunset). I have a good idea of bloom times in spring for flowering trees and wildflowers in summer as well as peak times for colorful fall foliage. I have also learned to recognize the “no touch plants” like poison ivy and stinging nettle and will make sure we avoid them. If you hire me to take your photos, you will get an even more extensive location guide (with some of my top secret spots in addition).

But before I dive into the list of my favorite Lancaster family photo shoot locations, I need to preface this by saying that I believe it is not the location that makes the photos great but its the people (YOU) and how you interact with one another. In addition to having a skilled photographer (ME!) who understands the importance of light, angles and composition, it is important to bring a positive attitude and just be in the moment with your loved ones. Think of your family photo session as a fun playdate with your friendly camera toting friend rather than something you have to get over with. My job is to make you feel comfortable, give you gentle guidance, and capture the real, unscripted moments that showcase who you truly are as a family. Let’s ditch the stiff poses and let your personalities shine!

And without further ado, here is the list, starting with my top location for a family photo session in Lancaster PA.


  1. LANCASTER COUNTY PARK

A family walks through a golden field in Lancaster County Park (and don’t forget to check for ticks!)

If I had to choose my number one favorite location of all, it would definitely be Lancaster County Central Park. This park is huge and there is so much variety throughout the seasons. Even during popular photo session times (spring and fall) there is still space for everyone. It has pretty much every type of backdrop you could want; from open fields to evergreen trees to magical forests, creeks and streams. It also has Historic Rock Ford which has a brick mansion with a wrap around porch and a barn (a membership is required to photograph at Rock Ford, which I have). Additional architectural structures that can be found in the park are a covered bridge as well as an old stone house where the Shuts Environmental Library is located. And a personal favorite spot is the Garden of the Five Senses which has a winding path that follows a little stream down to a waterfall. In late May there is a peony patch that blooms here. Below are some examples of family photos taken in Lancaster County Park throughout the seasons.


2.OVERLOOK PARK

Another popular location for family photos is Overlook Park. If you go into the pine forest during golden hour in the fall, you are bound to see several photo sessions happening simultaneously. For this reason, I tend to avoid photographing there on weekends during fall. Apart from the unique tall skinny pine forest, Overlook Park has some beautiful fields throughout with long grasses and sweeping vistas. During the summer months there is a native wildflower patch that adds a pop of color. In September the goldenrod flowers bloom in abundance. There are also a couple of ponds, though they can be difficult to capture in photos. There are lots of paved walking paths throughout the park as well which make it easy for strollers and little ones to access as well as heated restrooms in the colder months. One thing to be aware of is that poison ivy abounds in the pine forest, especially during summer and fall.


3. Long’s Park

Long’s Park is another favorite photo shoot location in spring, summer and fall. In addition to the pond with the ducks and gazebo, there is a wetlands area and several walking bridges and wildflower patches that bloom in summer. There are some stunning trees around the pond in both spring and fall as well. The main drawback to this park is that it is often crowded and the parking lot goes around the pond so it can be hard to work the angles to avoid parked cars. However it is very accessible and fun for little kids who like to watch the ducks.


4. Buchanan Park

Buchanan Park is located in Lancaster City near Franklin and Marshall College and even though it is small, I would argue that it has plenty to offer for a family photo session. The main two highlights of Buchanan Park are the rose garden which blooms May-September and the willow tree that sits just below the perfect silhouette hill. If you are looking for a family silhouette photo, this is the place to do it!


5. Greenfield park

Greenfield Business Park is lovely if you like water and willow trees. There are paved walking paths throughout this park as well as some small footbridges and a small creek at the far end that you can wade into if desired. It also has some interesting sculptures throughout. Cons are that it can be crowded with people at times and it sits between lots of buildings and parking lots so the angles can be limited. It has a more manicured landscaped feel with mulch and perfectly trimmed hedges and fountains if that is the vibe you are looking for. As a bonus there is a wildflower field close by that flowers May through July.


6. Landis woods park

Landis Woods is a forested location in Manheim Township with some nice easy walking trails through the woods. This location is not stroller friendly but the paths are easy to walk on. I think it is most beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. There is also a wooden fence that runs along one side of the entrance and some more open areas but for the most part this is a forest location where kids can run down paths and climb on logs.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


A Sweet Baby Girl Newborn Session in a Harry Potter Themed Nursery

One of the things I love most about newborn sessions is the chance to see the thought and creativity that parents put into decorating their child’s nursery. This couple is a huge fan of Harry Potter and they were able to incorporate all sorts of unique elements into their daughter’s nursery related to the series. From the accent wallpaper to the owl lamp to the framed artwork on the wall, there are signs of Harry Potter in every corner! I think my favorite part is the book mobile with the Flying Keys or Winged Keys hanging from it. I had a lot of fun taking photos through the hanging keys.

This little lady slept through most of her photo session but she did get hungry so we took a feeding break and I got some photos with her eyes open. I absolutely adore when newborns are completely zonked out after they’ve become milk drunk and they can snuggle up in a little ball in your arms. We even managed to capture a little sleep smile and a huge yawn, which happen to be two of my photo goals for every newborn lifestyle session!

And now for a little honest behind-the-scenes: There was a little mishap on my part during this session when my camera shutter completely stopped functioning. In a frenzy I had to rush home (thankfully just a 15 minute drive) and get my backup camera. This has never happened to me before in my nearly 15 years in business! The family was so patient and understanding and you would have no idea from these photos that we took a little half hour break during the session.

Enjoy the photos below of precious baby girl Rowan in her Harry Potter themed nursery! To all the fans out there, see how many different Harry Potter connections you can find! And if you want to get some Harry Potter themed decor for your own nursery or for yourself, they told me they got quite a few things from Pottery Barn Teen and the Harry Potter Collection is linked here.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


How to Prepare for a Newborn Lifestyle Session

One of my most frequently asked questions from parents for in home newborn lifestyle sessions is how they can prepare for photos. I always start out by saying there is no need to worry about tidying up (you just had a baby!) and if anything needs to be moved around, I am happy to do that when I get there. You would be surprised at the beauty that can be captured in just a small corner with good natural light!

In my experience, all you need is some nice window light and a warm space where baby is happy and can be cuddled and loved. When I arrive I’ll take a look around your home for the spaces with the best natural light and possibly open blinds and curtains. Usually we begin by taking photos in the nursery and a then a living space such as a bedroom or living room. I’m always game for outdoor photos as well if the weather is nice.

I suggest that baby gets a feeding before the session if possible but I like to keep things relaxed and always allow time for feedings and diaper changes as needed. I recommend starting mid morning for newborn lifestyle sessions when babies tend to be happier and sleepier versus evenings when they tend to be fussier. Timing wise, usually a newborn lifestyle session with me lasts about an hour and a half on average.

Another tip is to lay out a few outfits, swaddles, blankets or accessories that you might like to use in photos and I can help you decide what might work best visually. I love using various cozy textures with newborns such as chunky knit blankets or stretchy muslin swaddles. I always bring a couple faux fur rugs along that are nice to lie a swaddled baby on top of. I tell mom that if she is nursing it’s wise to wear something that is nursing friendly (and I’m always happy to take nursing photos if mom wishes!) Typically lighter softer colors and textures tend to photograph best for newborn sessions (though it’s not a hard and fast rule!). Sometimes families like to coordinate their colors with the baby’s nursery or the colors found in their home.

If there are older siblings involved, often I’ll ask them to give me a tour of baby’s room, or their room or play room so they can get used to me. I’ve got three littles of my own and am very experienced with toddlers!

Below are some photos of this brand new family of four! Little Izak did absolutely great for his session, mostly slept and peeked at us for a few photos towards the end. Seeing a tiny baby in an oversized chunky knit sweater is just the cutest! And I love the soft pastel color palette they chose for their outfits contrasted with mom and dad’s tattoos.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


A Spring Cherry Blossom Family Photo Session at Lancaster County Park

Lancaster County Central Park is one of my favorite locations for photo sessions during all seasons of the year, but especially in spring time. If you time it right, you can find flowering dogwoods, red bud trees and cherry blossoms all in bloom at the same time and it is simply glorious.

For this family photo session we began at the Garden of the Five Senses and then wandered over to a row of pink cherry blossom trees. The kids picked flowers, blew dandelion puffs and rolled around in the grass. To end the session, we went to one of my favorite hill top locations in the park for sunset silhouettes.

Spring photo sessions are not quite as popular as fall, but in my opinion they should be! It’s the perfect time for Mother’s Day portraits (hint hint: I do offer gift certificates!) and photos before the weather gets super hot. If you’re thinking about scheduling a spring session, I recommend reaching out in February/March to book.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


Lancaster Family Photography: A Snowy Winter Family Photo Session at Overlook Park

It was my birthday weekend mid-March and we got one last beautiful winter snow. This was probably the only time I have ever seen Overlook Park so empty. There was not a soul in sight. The snow was still untouched and the pine forest was covered in white and was so serene.

In my lifetime thus far I have had 3 birthday blizzards. I’ll always remember the one we had when I was in 5th grade because I was supposed to have a slumber party with all my friends but due to the oncoming snow, no one was allowed to stay overnight. This wasn’t quite a blizzard, but it was very gusty so even with minimal snow there was some drifting.

I could hardly wait to get out and take pictures in the winter wonderland and when Andrea asked if I would do a 6 month session for her son Griffin in the snow I was thrilled! He was so adorable wearing the bright red gnome hat and his big brother Bailey got a kick out of pulling him around in the sled. I am SO very thankful that the timing worked out perfectly for this snowy family winter photo session.

At the end of this session, I was able to grab some silhouette images of the boys and then I photographed some of the snow covered evergreen trees around the park. Later in Photoshop I overlaid the portraits of the boys with some of the tree images to create some unique black and white double exposure silhouettes. I am always happy to get creative with double exposures if time allows (and if the client has interest).

I realize that winter and snowy photo sessions certainly aren’t top priority for most families; however, winter photo sessions CAN be possible, even with little kids. Here are a few tips on how to prepare and make a snowy winter session successful:

  1. Bundle Up: Yes, it’s obvious, but make sure everyone wears layers and has coats, hats, boots, scarves and mittens if necessary. Bring blankets! They can be used as fun props too and you can snuggle together. You can always take coats off briefly for shots and then put them back on if you want to get photos in special sweaters or outfits.

  2. Make It Short & Quick: Because winter is typically my slower season and because it’s cold out, I will only do mini sessions for winter time. We keep it brief, 30 minutes or less so you don’t freeze your butts off (though you may have cherry red noses by the time you’re done).

  3. Make It Playful: We will keep moving; wrap in blankets, pull someone in a sled, hold hands and run through the snow, play ring-around-the-rosie, etc. Snowy photo sessions have got to be fun!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

A Narnia Inspired Winter One Year Session with Luna in the Evergreens

I know that winter is not necessarily the ideal time for family photos but I had been wanting to photograph a session at this location full of tall evergreen trees for a while and was looking for an excuse. I believe that there is beauty to be found in all seasons, even the cold and barren ones. This winter family photo session turned out beautifully and we lucked out with a warmish December day and beautiful golden light.

I convinced my dear friend Drea and her husband Dani to model for a family session and it also worked out as one-year session since their daughter Luna turned one in December. And wouldn’t you be surprised to know that it also turned out to be a pregnancy announcement because Drea is expecting a baby in June! So of course it was an opportune time to announce that Luna is going to be a big sister in 2022!

I am slowly growing a client closet of mostly dresses for women, children and babies and so I was motivated to photograph Drea in this beautiful blue velvet gown that I had just purchased from Baltic Born. I also found a coordinating velvet flapper style dress with fringes for Luna that I love (thanks to Etsy!). And last of all I recently added a faux fur coat from Joyfolie to my client closet which I think will be fabulous for winter maternity sessions. I made a winter flower crown for Drea using mostly plants and herbs (rosemary!) that I found growing around our yard. The fur coat definitely gives this session a Narnia vibe and if only we had some snow covering the ground it would have been perfect!

If you are considering a winter photo session I’m happy to recommend some magical locations and figure out ways to be creative and keep the littles warm.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


A Summer Family Session by the Susquehanna River in Columbia, PA

A summer family photo session down by the Susquehanna River by Melissa Engle Photography near Chickies Rock in Lancaster, PA

One of my favorite river locations just outside of Columbia, PA is this spot down by the Susquehanna River near Chickies Rock. Along with easy access to the river, there is also a neat location with some old cement foundations with ivy growing all over them that makes it quite magical.

Something about this summer family session had some tropical vibes to it, even though we are far from the tropics. Stephanie was stunning in her flowy dress and this family could not be more photogenic.

Every now and then, I get surprised during a session and when Stephanie’s boyfriend secretly told me he was planning to propose I got so excited/nervous! He waited until the very end and boy was she surprised! What a beautiful way to end a family session!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


A Spring Mommy and Me Session in the Flowers at Buchmiller Park

A mother swings her daughter around in the sunlight at Buchmiller Park

This past spring I photographed more sessions than I ever have at Buchmiller Park located just south of Lancaster City. It is not often crowded with photographers as some of the other local parks are, and it has a wide variety of spring budding trees that flower early April through mid-May, beginning with the weeping cherry trees. Amanda contacted me about doing a mommy and me session with her daughter (and a few with her boyfriend as well). She is an artist herself and it’s always an honor to be chosen as a photographer for a fellow creative.

This spring photo session at Buchmiller Park was one of my favorites for many reasons; the golden sun, the connection and movement between the family members and of course the colorful flowy dresses and spring flowers. Though outfits aren’t everything, they do make a huge difference in what your photos will look like. Amanda’s daughter is wearing a Joyfolie dress from my client closet that is great for twirling and flowy movement. I have a handful of girls dresses available to lend to clients for photo shoots, as well as some women’s dresses that all lend themselves to great photos. Please ask me if you are interested in borrowing something for your session! I am always happy to advise on what to wear (and not to wear) for your photos.

At the end of the session we went over to a wildflower field close by. It was my first time photographing there, and we discovered that the field was scattered with stinging nettle, whoops! But we managed to capture some beautiful images regardless.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!


Lancaster Family Photography: A Sunny Fall Session in the Evergreen Field with the Gehman Family at Lancaster County Park

A fall family photo session at Lancaster County Park by Melissa Engle Photography

I have so many favorite 2020 photo sessions from this field in Lancaster County Central Park. This fall session with the Gehman family is one of my favorites. In the late spring through the end of summer, the field is full of tall wildflowers that change from white to yellow. You can often see deer here in the evenings (and lots of poop evidence of their presence in the grass-ha ha). I think probably the best thing about this field though, is the way the sunlight hits it in the evening. It casts a warm glow through the tall evergreen trees and has become my go to location throughout the seasons because even in the starkness of winter it is lovely. And lately, especially on the weekends, you can often see horses heading out on trails from the parking lot across the street.

This fall family session with the Gehman family was taken at the very end of November. I had so much fun with their two children as they frolicked through this field and raced and romped. They had no trouble warming up to me and the camera and were happy to play while I took photos. I always try to make my family sessions with young kids about play because I think it is so important in capturing their personalities and helps them to relax. When parents are stiff and strict and yelling at their kids to sit still and smile, they often want to do just the opposite or they look unhappy and smiles are not genuine.

As you will see from the photos below, these kiddos were right up in the camera, and mom and dad were happy to play along. I think the reason this session gives me all the feels is because it does a great job of portraying my favorite elements to capture in my work: joy, movement and color!


Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

Lancaster Family Photography: A Playful Light Hearted In Home Family Session with the Hostetler Family

A dad lifts his toddler in the air with his feet while lying on the couch during a Lancaster lifestyle photography session

Family lifestyle photo sessions have my heart these days, especially as a stay-at-home-mom who wants to document not only the beautiful perfect moments but the in between moments of my active, sometimes emotional, sometimes messy toddlers’ lives. Right now I have a five-year-old and a two-and-a-half-year-old and most days they can keep themselves entertained without my help for a good while. I love watching them play together and hearing their giggles as they chase one another throughout the house.

Hiring a photographer to document the memories you make in your home is something you will not regret, especially while your children are small. As my wise friend Shelby would say, these photographs are an investment that will only grow in value with time. You and your children will treasure these photos even more years from now when you realize how quickly those baby and toddler days flew by.

When my friend and neighbor Shelby approached me about doing a family photo swap, I agreed right away! Shelby is a fabulous photographer so it was an honor that she invited me to document her family home life. I must also add that she has a unique eye for home decor and is a talented creative in addition to being the amazing mom of two adorable children, Ezra and Daisy. She has her own Etsy shop Whisper Creative where she makes unique clay creations. I own some of her jewelry as well as a custom planter that she made for me.

I hope you can feel the love and laughter from this fun, light-hearted in home lifestyle session with the Hostetler family. There were pillow fights and bouncing on beds and flying airplanes and snuggles happening all around. And we ended with a little barefoot romp in the backyard.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!