If you’ve searched “family photographer near me Melbourne” and ended up here, hooray! I’m a Melbourne-based family and newborn photographer and I shoot across a wide stretch of the city and into the outer suburbs (and further into Gippsland/Daylesford and beyond sometimes too!).
Over fifteen years I’ve built up a long list of locations across Melbourne and Victoria. These are locations I know work well, provide lots of variety and interest. This post covers some of the most popular ones. Of course, I have a LOT more that I can’t cover in limited space here. Also note I’m 100% on board with you choosing your local park or your home to have your photos at. Choosing a location should fit with who your family is.
For each location, I’ve included what it’s actually like on the ground, who it suits, best timing, and the practical details. Toilets, dogs and playgrounds matter when you’re organising photos with children.
How to choose a location
Do your kids need to move? Energetic kids do better with space to roam. Bushland with paths and interesting things to investigate works well. The novelty of a new place can also work really well for some kids.
Is there a playground nearby? This cuts both ways. For some kids, knowing there’s a playground at the end is a good motivator. For others, seeing a playground mid-session means the session is over. Know your child and factor it in.
How far are you willing to travel? Some of the best locations are 45 minutes to an hour from the CBD. If a long drive with kids before a session sounds like a disaster, stick closer to home. For locations far down on the Peninsula I charge a small travel fee.
Does anyone in your family have accessibility needs? Some locations involve significant walking, uneven terrain, or steep paths. I’ve noted accessibility details for each location below, if you have concerns please ask.
When you book, I’ll help you choose based on your family, the time of year, and what kind of photos you’re after. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Outer North Eastern Suburbs
The bushland along the Yarra River corridor in Melbourne’s north east is genuinely beautiful and consistently underused by photographers from other parts of the city.
Warrandyte — Yarra River Bushland Reserve
Easy to park and get into. Open grassed space, bushland, a bridge and plenty of walking paths. Shared with dog walkers and the occasional runner, but it never feels crowded. A relaxed spot that works for most family sizes.
Note: on the first Saturday of the month, this location is too close to the Warrandyte Market and is unavailable.
🚻 Toilets: short walk away
🐕 Dogs: yes, off-leash also fine
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: good/some uneven terrain
Warrandyte — Pound Bend
Huge river gums, interesting bush paths, rocky riverside access and a rock formation near the tunnel. Some paths are narrow, and the rock formations are uneven. Best 1.5 hours before sunset or early morning.
Park gates open 7am, close 8pm.
🚻 Toilets: no
🐕 Dogs: no
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: partial, access to rock/river area requires some rock scrambling
Wonga Park — Mount Lofty
A high, open bushland area with a view, long grass and some bush surrounds. Kangaroos are common. Works best on sunrise or sunset. There is a significant, fairly steep walk up a hill to reach the best spots, not suitable for all families unless you’re prepared to carry young children. Wear good shoes.
55 minutes from Melbourne CBD.
🚻 Toilets: no
🐕 Dogs: no
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: steep gravel path to reach the top, some uneven terrain
Outer Eastern Suburbs
Olinda — RJ Hamer Arboretum – Dandenong Ranges
Up in the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour from Melbourne CBD. The Arboretum has two distinct sections: the upper area with impressive trees that turn deep burgundy in the cooler months and a great view, and a lower section with a birch grove, bushland trails and a forested area that catches beautiful pockets of light. In November (sometimes earlier) this location fills with daisies for a few weeks – the timing of this varies, you will need to be flexible with dates if this is something you want.
Works best at sunrise or 1.5 hours before sunset, given the position of the mountain
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: no
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: some steep areas, uneven terrain
Lilydale Lake
45 minutes from Melbourne CBD. A large lake area popular with locals and walkers. Large trees, lake, open grassed areas and bushland – short steepish walk down a gravel path to reach an area I like to use but other areas if needing it to be flat. Works well on sunset and holds up nicely in winter.
🚻 Toilets: no at the specific spot
🐕 Dogs: yes, on lead
🛝 Playground: nearby
♿ Accessibility: partial
Croydon North
A local reserve with a large bushland area and an interesting grove of trees. Minimal walking is involved, which makes it a good option for extended family groups or families with very young children. Busy on weekends but quiet on weekday evenings. Works best 1.5 hours before sunset or early morning.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: yes, on lead
🛝 Playground: yes, within eyesight
♿ Accessibility: good, some uneven terrain
Inner East
Kew — Yarra Bend Park
About 15 minutes from Melbourne CBD. Mostly bushland, overlooking the Yarra River, with Kane Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge as a particular highlight. Adjacent to the recently renovated Studley Park Boathouse, which is a good option for lunch after a session. There’s also a footy oval with some very large, characterful trees. Gets busy on weekends with parkrun but the park is large enough to find space, carparking can be challenging weekend mornings.
Works best early morning or 1.5 hours before sunset.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: yes, on lead
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: good on main paths
Templestowe — Westerfolds Park
About 35 minutes from Melbourne. Beautiful bushland, long grasses, big river gums and the occasional kangaroo. There’s a bridge, spectacular large gum trees, and some open areas if you’re up for a wander. The river runs alongside but there’s no direct water access. Works well for bigger groups as well as small families. Wear good shoes.
Works best early morning or 1hr prior to sunset.
🚻 Toilets: no
🐕 Dogs: yes, on lead
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: good on main paths, some steeper areas if roaming further
Inner north
Alphington — Darebin Parklands
20 minutes from Melbourne. Bushland walking tracks, bike paths, an accessible creek for splashing, small footbridges, duck ponds, large lawns and a rocky outcrop to climb. A lot of variety in one place, which works well for families who want the session to feel like an outing rather than a photoshoot.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: yes, on lead, one off-lead area
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: good on main paths
Outer north
Mernda
An open field on gentle slopes with a view towards the city in the distance, interesting bushy outcrops and resident kangaroos. Works best at sunset as there is minimal shade. 50 minutes from Melbourne.
🚻 Toilets: no
🐕 Dogs: on lead (but lots of kangaroos/rabbits)
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: no
Melbourne CBD
City streets and laneways
For families who feel at home in the city rather than the bush, Melbourne’s inner city laneways and back streets produce something quite different from a park session. Worth a conversation if this appeals.
City gardens and parks
There are a variety of Melbourne parks like Fitzroy Gardens that work beautifully with great autumn colour and a variety of interesting areas with lawns, big trees and fern gardens. The Botanical Gardens requires a permit for photography use.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: on leads
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: good
Bayside Beaches
Beaumaris
About 40 minutes from Melbourne CBD. Beach grasses and scrub behind, beach boxes, a rocky outcrop near Ricketts Point. On warm evenings the shallow water with sandbars is great for families who want to get in. The rocky end can occasionally have a seaweed smell if anyone is sensitive to that. Dogs are welcome at set times that vary through the year.
Works best on sunset.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: yes, at set times
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: good, flat entry
Half Moon Bay, Black Rock
About 35 minutes from Melbourne CBD. Dramatic red cliff faces give this beach an unusual feel, unlike most Melbourne beaches. Wonderful at sunset, harsh and bright earlier in the day. Long walk down a steep paved path, then along the beach on sand to reach the rocks’ end. Popular on warm evenings, other photographers will likely be here too. Fish and chip shop nearby if you want to make an evening of it.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: check locally
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: no, steep path and sand walk
Southern Suburbs
Frankston — George Pentland Botanical Gardens
A beautiful garden with bushland sections, forest areas, open lawn, bridges and made paths. Heaps of variety in one location. The playground is up one end and easy to avoid given how large this garden is.
Opening hours: 7am to 9pm November to March. 7am to 6pm April to October.
🚻 Toilets: yes
🐕 Dogs: no
🛝 Playground: yes, easy to avoid
♿ Accessibility: yes
Mornington Peninsula
Flinders — Walking Track
About 1 hour 20 minutes from Melbourne CBD. Additional travel charges apply.
A clifftop walk with long grasses, a rocky beach below and exceptional sunset light. Well known among Melbourne photographers for good reason. Worth knowing: there is a fair walk in over rough terrain, and on a sunset evening there will almost certainly be other photography sessions happening here. Children need to be supervised carefully near the clifftops.
🚻 Toilets: no
🐕 Dogs: no
🛝 Playground: no
♿ Accessibility: no, rough terrain, walk in to shoot location, steps to beach
Western Suburbs
Williamstown — Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve
About 30 minutes from Melbourne. A beachside location with boardwalks, beach scrub, long grasses and a rocky shoreline suitable for paddling. The most accessible of the coastal locations. A playground is nearby but easy to avoid if that’s better for your family.
🚻 Toilets: no
🐕 Dogs: no
🛝 Playground: nearby, avoidable
♿ Accessibility: good, gravel paths, some uneven terrain if heading down to beach area
Booking a session
If you can see your area in this list, or you’re somewhere in between and not sure whether I travel there, send me a message. I cover Melbourne broadly and some more rural VIC locations (if you’re interstate, please feel free to ask or I can help recommend someone for you) I am happy to chat through which location would suit your family before you commit to anything.
Sessions are one hour, all images included. For in-home newborn sessions, I come to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do you travel across Melbourne for family photography sessions?
Yes. I photograph families across Melbourne, including the eastern suburbs, inner north, bayside, south, Mornington Peninsula and the west. Travel is included for locations up to an hour from 3138. Reasonable travel rates apply beyond that.
How do I find a family photographer near me in Melbourne?
The location guide above covers where I shoot across Melbourne. If your suburb or area appears, I can get to you. If you’re unsure, send me a message with your location and I’ll let you know.
What is the best location for family photos in Melbourne?
Warrandyte, Westerfolds Park in Templestowe and the RJ Hamer Arboretum in Olinda are all strong options in Melbourne’s east and outer east. Each location has a different feel – riverside bushland, open hilltop, beach or park. The right one depends on your family.
Can I bring my dog to family photography session?
Some locations welcome dogs and some don’t. Westerfolds Park, Darebin Parklands, Warrandyte Bushland Reserve and Beaumaris at set times all welcome dogs on leads. Many national parks and beach areas across Melbourne do not permit dogs. Let me know your dog is part of the family and we’ll find a spot that works. Or we can use your backyard!
What if I am not sure what location to choose?
That’s what I’m here for. When you get in touch I’ll ask about your family, where you’re based, and what time of year you’re thinking, and suggest a location from there. You don’t need to have this figured out before you enquire.
