Let’s face it, there are hundreds of beautiful locations for family sessions in the Columbus metro area! When it comes down to it, a good photographer can make any old place look cool with the right sort of angle, composition, and depth of field. All that to say, when you’ve been in the business of taking photos with families since 2012 like I have (how is this even possible?!?!), you are always on the lookout for new spots to shoot in. I don’t have my own studio (maybe one day!) and usually prefer to shoot outdoors, so the location possibilities are endless. This small list is a mix of newer spots I’ve found and loved and some old favorites. I hope photographers and clients alike find it useful!
1. Be Changed Studios
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Westerville
Website: https://www.bechangedstudio.com/
What I love: Fantastic natural light, lots of photo nooks, updated seasonal decor
What’s NOT to love?! This location is actually three separate studios rented out by the hour: the Loft, the Barn, and the Camper. All are decorated in a beautiful, warm, modern farmhouse style with whitewashed walls and neutral furniture. The Loft and Barn are stocked with seasonal props and greens/flowers, studio backdrops, and many little vignettes to shoot in. Natural light streams through the large windows, even on cloudy days. There are restrooms in each! The owners are fantastic. I really love this place, and it’s 100% worth the money when you need an indoor studio to shoot in!
See more of this session at the Loft studio: Kaitlynn & Andrew at Be Changed Studio
See a branding session in the Camper studio: Branding Head Shot Sessions at Be Changed Studio
2. Humble + Pine Studio
Location: Pataskala
Website: https://www.humbleandpine.com/
What I love: Indoor/outdoor, wildflowers!
This beautiful place is a photographer’s dream! And no wonder, it is owned by a wonderfully talented photographer! The property has two separate studios that are rented out by the hour: the Greenhouse and the Barn, both surrounded by 2 acres of manicured gardens and fields of wildflowers. I haven’t had the chance to shoot here yet, but I have many sessions booked for the coming months when wildflowers are blooming! The booking process was easy and straightforward, and the property’s rules clearly stated. I’m SO excited to shoot here! Come back soon to see lots of photos I’ll be sharing from this location.
3. Inniswood Metro Gardens
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Westerville
Website: https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/inniswood-metro-gardens/
What I love: Manicured gardens, mix of structures & foliage, lots of photo nooks
This park is a tried and true favorite. The gardens are gorgeous and well cared for year round, with many seasonal plants and displays. There are so many great spaces for photos, including the rose garden, the secret garden, the gazebo, the waterfall, multiple bridges, the tree house… the list goes on! The wonderful mix of buildings, gardens, and natural foliage make this the perfect place for capturing family photos.
See more of this session at Inniswood Metro Gardens: Gerton Family at Inniswood Metro Gardens
4. Uptown Westerville
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Westerville
Website: https://uptownwestervilleinc.com/
What I love: Quaint old town vibes, lots of color and texture, beautiful store fronts
I’ll never tire of shooting in Uptown. The historic brick buildings, tree lined streets, colorful store fronts, and tucked away alleys provide a diverse and appealing backdrop. There are little photo vignettes everywhere you look! I love the pots overflowing with colorful flowers hanging from streetlamps and placed along the walkways during the warmer months. The shops and restaurants are fanstastic… Not to mention, there are TWO great coffee shops to choose from, which pretty much makes it a perfect place to me.
Old Worthington is another location similar to this, and I love shooting there too!! (See my senior session with Carson in Old Worthington!)
See more of this session in Uptown Westerville: Ulfigs in Uptown Westerville
5. Highbanks Metro Park
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Lewis Center
Website: https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/
What I love: River access, great paved and grass paths, diverse natural foliage
Highbanks is probably my favorite metro park to shoot in, mainly due to the easy river bed access. Shooting in a river bed or on the shore gives so many beautiful texture and background options, and is something different from other parks around. And isn’t flowing water so lovely and calming? It’s nice to dip our feet in the water during hot temps as well. Highbanks also offers many beautiful walking paths, wooded areas, and fields of tall grasses and flowers.
(Sharon Woods in Westerville is another great metro park. See my session with Amber & Eddie at Sharon Woods!)
See more of this session at Hofmann Family at Highbanks Metro Park
6. Jeffrey Mansion
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Bexley
Website: https://bexley.org/jeffreymansion/
What I love: Historic setting, mix of manicured and natural foliage, large picturesque outdoor staircase
The grounds of this estate are gorgeous. Not only is the building itself elegant and beautiful, but the surrounding outbuildings and park are just as perfect. Wooded areas, stone walls and sweeping staircases, and tucked away gardens are just a few of the lovely areas to explore. The inside of the building is able to be rented out for events, but the outside and grounds are on public property and available for use anytime!
7. Everal Barn & Homestead
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Westerville
Website: https://parks.westerville.org/facilities/everal-barn-and-homestead
What I love: Historic barn, beautiful grounds
This location has it all. The beautiful restored white barn, elegant brick outbuildings, a serene pond and bridge, and grassy field stretching out from the property. It really is a photographer’s dream! This is a public park, but the barn hosts many private events. There are open public hours in which you can shoot indoors, however! This location is beautiful at any time of year, even in winter. You can’t go wrong choosing this one.
See more of this session at Everal Barn & Homestead: White Barn Sessions at Everal Barn & Homestead
8. The red barn at MacNamara Park
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Westerville/Galena
Website: https://www.genoatwp.com/departments/parks/mcnamara_park.php
What I love: Vintage farm vibes, beautiful grounds
I love an old red barn. This one happens to be on public property toward the back of McNamara Park just a few miles north of Maxtown Road in Westerville. Often during the warmer months, you’ll find a field of wildflowers or tall grasses near the barn as well. It’s a lovely pop of color and a fun option for family photos!
See more of this session at McNamara Park: Red Barn Minis at McNamara Park
9. The Granville Inn
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Granville
Website: https://granvilleinn.com/
What I love: Beautiful grounds, historic buildings, charming old town vibes
The Granville Inn is an elegant historic hotel surrounded by the quaint streets and colorful shop windows of Granville. Directly across the street is the Buxton Inn, a charming inn and tavern filled with lots of character and history!
See more of this session at the Granville Inn: Russell Family at the Granville Inn
See my recent mini sessions at the Granville & Buxton Inns: Granville Inn Sessions, Fall 2023
10. The Columbus Park of Roses (Whetstone Park)
Image by Christy Rice Photography
Location: Columbus
Website: https://parkofroses.org/
What I love: Manicured gardens, mix of structures & foliage, lots of photo nooks
Another tried and true favorite, the Columbus Park of Roses will never disappoint. The beautiful rose gardens stretch out across the grounds, with wrought iron gazebos, a gorgeous fountain, and other timeless structures sprinkled throughout. There is no shortage of unique foliage and photo nooks here!
