Another super integral piece of our painting — our canvas!
So what do we look for in a good location? Well, some might think that the venue we choose needs to be something big, grand and renowned — but really, this couldn't be further from the truth! Many photographers will actually agree that some of our favorite locations are often those that don't even have an address or appear on a GPS; this might be an overgrown field, a marshland preserve, or even a crumbling stone wall.
What we're really looking for in a good backdrop is beautiful lighting, and sometimes a way to actually avoid other wanderers and tourists as well. This is because 1. We want you to be comfortable during your shoot and not feel like you have an audience and 2. Because we're not really there to photograph the famous lighthouse, or wait in line for our turn to get pictures in front of the state's biggest waterfall --
We're there to photograph the connections between you.
The following is a list of my best location recommendations that I've curated from all around Connecticut. I'm sure this list will continue to grow as I come across new gorgeous spots, but this should certainly get you in the right direction!
So what do we look for in a good location? Well, some might think that the venue we choose needs to be something big, grand and renowned — but really, this couldn't be further from the truth! Many photographers will actually agree that some of our favorite locations are often those that don't even have an address or appear on a GPS; this might be an overgrown field, a marshland preserve, or even a crumbling stone wall.
What we're really looking for in a good backdrop is beautiful lighting, and sometimes a way to actually avoid other wanderers and tourists as well. This is because 1. We want you to be comfortable during your shoot and not feel like you have an audience and 2. Because we're not really there to photograph the famous lighthouse, or wait in line for our turn to get pictures in front of the state's biggest waterfall --
We're there to photograph the connections between you.
The following is a list of my best location recommendations that I've curated from all around Connecticut. I'm sure this list will continue to grow as I come across new gorgeous spots, but this should certainly get you in the right direction!
Whenever possible, I generally try to book during the week. Partly to accommodate weddings and other events in my calendar, and partly because many of these locations see some foot traffic (and sometimes even other photoshoots) particularly in the spring-autumn, so we'll want to avoid other travelers when we can!
open fields, meadows & grass.
Tyler Mill Preserve, Wallingford
What I love: This is an adorable open field, quiet, and also is adjacent to a cute forest pathway
Happy Landings Open Space, Brookfield
What I love: A large open field, very tall grass in the summer, also some windmills
Fairfield Metro Conservation
What I love: A winding foot path through the tall grass, sometimes wildflowers, and it even gets a bit hilly in some areas rather than being completely flat. Hints of telephone lines and lights in the distance.
Tulmeadow Farm, West Simsbury **
What I love: This one's a bit far, but might be a more convenient option for you if you live on the northern side of the state. This is a large, grassy field with long, lush grass in the summer months
Fredrick White Farm, Durham
What I love: Public open space of a large field, tall dried wheat grass with a few wild flowers
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Newtown
What I love: A sweet rural area with some small meadows and tall wildflowers&grass surrounded by woods. Founded in memory of one of the little Sandy Hook victims.
La Salette Open Space, Bloomfield **
What I love: A great option on the northern end of the state — beautiful open grass and some crumbling abandoned stone buildings!
What I love: This is an adorable open field, quiet, and also is adjacent to a cute forest pathway
Happy Landings Open Space, Brookfield
What I love: A large open field, very tall grass in the summer, also some windmills
Fairfield Metro Conservation
What I love: A winding foot path through the tall grass, sometimes wildflowers, and it even gets a bit hilly in some areas rather than being completely flat. Hints of telephone lines and lights in the distance.
Tulmeadow Farm, West Simsbury **
What I love: This one's a bit far, but might be a more convenient option for you if you live on the northern side of the state. This is a large, grassy field with long, lush grass in the summer months
Fredrick White Farm, Durham
What I love: Public open space of a large field, tall dried wheat grass with a few wild flowers
Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Newtown
What I love: A sweet rural area with some small meadows and tall wildflowers&grass surrounded by woods. Founded in memory of one of the little Sandy Hook victims.
La Salette Open Space, Bloomfield **
What I love: A great option on the northern end of the state — beautiful open grass and some crumbling abandoned stone buildings!
elevated with a view.
Lake Chamberlain, Bethany
What I love: This is a little secret spot I have a permit for on water company property, it’s basically a dirt pathway/grassy hilltop view that overlooks a valley of trees, no hiking required
Seven Falls Highway Park, Middletown
What I love: This is a recent find that looks stunning in photos, especially if you’re into a slightly western, Colorado vibe. It features dirt pathways and rocky terrain with boulders, brush and brambles, telephone lines and a bit of a view. A brief uphill climb is needed.
East Rock State Park
What I love: This spot is perfect if you’re looking for something with a view that overlooks New Haven and has some beautiful foresting in the summer months as well. We’ll start at the bottom and walk up to the top while taking photos along the way! (Hike level: mega easy and paved, but maybe skip high heels!) I recommend this location for couples, not so much for family.
Chauncey Peak, Meriden **
What I love: This is a trail located within Giuffrida Park that leads up the mountain. It’s about a 15 minute trek, and you’ll want your hiking boots because it gets very rocky near the top, but the view is incredible! Best for couples, may be a little too high-risk for families.
What I love: This is a little secret spot I have a permit for on water company property, it’s basically a dirt pathway/grassy hilltop view that overlooks a valley of trees, no hiking required
Seven Falls Highway Park, Middletown
What I love: This is a recent find that looks stunning in photos, especially if you’re into a slightly western, Colorado vibe. It features dirt pathways and rocky terrain with boulders, brush and brambles, telephone lines and a bit of a view. A brief uphill climb is needed.
East Rock State Park
What I love: This spot is perfect if you’re looking for something with a view that overlooks New Haven and has some beautiful foresting in the summer months as well. We’ll start at the bottom and walk up to the top while taking photos along the way! (Hike level: mega easy and paved, but maybe skip high heels!) I recommend this location for couples, not so much for family.
Chauncey Peak, Meriden **
What I love: This is a trail located within Giuffrida Park that leads up the mountain. It’s about a 15 minute trek, and you’ll want your hiking boots because it gets very rocky near the top, but the view is incredible! Best for couples, may be a little too high-risk for families.
forests.
Lake Wintergreen, New Haven
What I love: The woods along the lake are primarily dense, dark evergreens, which looks beautiful with sunlight peaking through. There's also an area for a bit of tall grass in this park as well.
Marsh Trails, North Haven
What I love: This was a location I recently discovered that's so stunning, I can't believe I didn't find it sooner! The sun sparkles through the trees perfectly in the evening above a winding forest trail that follows along the marshy shoreline. Very secluded and peaceful!
Chatfield Hollow, Killingworth
What I love: I’ve only been here once, but came across a stunning patch of forest made up of towering evergreens surrounded by a forest floor of ferns. It looks magical when there's sunlight streaming through!
Giuffrida Park, Meriden
What I love: This is a great option for a tall cathedral-like forest pathway of trees if you like something a little dark and moody, and also runs alongside a lake for some rocky shoreline options (if/when the waterline isn’t all the way up).
Cromwell Meadows State Park
Haven't gotten to try this one yet, but looks promising! Mostly woodsy, but there's a few patches of cute meadows in here too!
Schenck's Island, Wilton
What I love: This is a cute little patch of land on the southern end of the state that combines the best of both worlds, forest pathways as well as a small meadow of tall grass and plant-life. Being that it's well-traversed by other photographers as well, weeknights are more advised to avoid other photoshoots.
What I love: The woods along the lake are primarily dense, dark evergreens, which looks beautiful with sunlight peaking through. There's also an area for a bit of tall grass in this park as well.
Marsh Trails, North Haven
What I love: This was a location I recently discovered that's so stunning, I can't believe I didn't find it sooner! The sun sparkles through the trees perfectly in the evening above a winding forest trail that follows along the marshy shoreline. Very secluded and peaceful!
Chatfield Hollow, Killingworth
What I love: I’ve only been here once, but came across a stunning patch of forest made up of towering evergreens surrounded by a forest floor of ferns. It looks magical when there's sunlight streaming through!
Giuffrida Park, Meriden
What I love: This is a great option for a tall cathedral-like forest pathway of trees if you like something a little dark and moody, and also runs alongside a lake for some rocky shoreline options (if/when the waterline isn’t all the way up).
Cromwell Meadows State Park
Haven't gotten to try this one yet, but looks promising! Mostly woodsy, but there's a few patches of cute meadows in here too!
Schenck's Island, Wilton
What I love: This is a cute little patch of land on the southern end of the state that combines the best of both worlds, forest pathways as well as a small meadow of tall grass and plant-life. Being that it's well-traversed by other photographers as well, weeknights are more advised to avoid other photoshoots.
beaches.
Milford Audubon
What I love: This beach is so peaceful because it’s a bird sanctuary and features beautiful dune grass, which is lush and green during the summer
West Haven beach (Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary)
What I love: The area of this beach I work at is called Sandy Point and is also a bird sanctuary, it’s a quieter section of the beach and features some dune grass and sometimes some faint city lights in the background
Lighthouse Point Park, East Haven
What I love: This beach is a beautiful option for large, rocky bluffs. To note, this beach is very populated during peak season and the park requires a $25 parking for non-New Haveners and $50 permit during the summer season (but not in winter). Highly advise weekdays as this place is a tourist hot spot!
Hammonasset Beach, Mieg's Point, Madison
What I love: Another good option for some rocky bluffs as well as some beach-side foliage. As with Lighthouse Point Park, this beach can get a little populated particularly on weekends, so weeknights are advised.
What I love: This beach is so peaceful because it’s a bird sanctuary and features beautiful dune grass, which is lush and green during the summer
West Haven beach (Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary)
What I love: The area of this beach I work at is called Sandy Point and is also a bird sanctuary, it’s a quieter section of the beach and features some dune grass and sometimes some faint city lights in the background
Lighthouse Point Park, East Haven
What I love: This beach is a beautiful option for large, rocky bluffs. To note, this beach is very populated during peak season and the park requires a $25 parking for non-New Haveners and $50 permit during the summer season (but not in winter). Highly advise weekdays as this place is a tourist hot spot!
Hammonasset Beach, Mieg's Point, Madison
What I love: Another good option for some rocky bluffs as well as some beach-side foliage. As with Lighthouse Point Park, this beach can get a little populated particularly on weekends, so weeknights are advised.
old stone buildings & structures.
Gillette’s Castle, Haddam**
What I love: This one is great if you’re into a bit of a darker, moody twist, you’ll see what I mean if you look up photos! I recommend this location more so for romantic couples sessions rather than family sessions with kids.
Topsmead Park, Litchfield **
What I love: Beautiful park with a combination of open grassy pastures, beautiful seasonal flowers, and large stone cottage
Sleeping Giant State Park, New Haven
What I love: You may need to pack your hiking shoes to get here and have a little trek, but it’s well worth it. There's a secret trail that leads to some old, crumbling archway ruins as well as some graffitied concrete structures for something a little grungy and unique!
Harkness Memorial Park, Waterford **
This is a fair option if you’re looking for a combination of things. There’s a grassy field, the beach, some gardens, and stone structures/mansion, though I highly recommend a Monday-Wednesday visit due to the heavy traffic of this park, particularly in the nicer months.
Waveny Park, Stamford **
Similarly to Harkness, this park is a fair option for those in the south end of the state and includes a grassy field, forest pathway, and stone mansion but again, Monday-Wednesday is advised due to tourist volume.
Pardee Rose Garden, New Haven
What I love: This isn't really a stone building, but it's a cute white greenhouse that's kind of run-down (but in a good way) as well as a couple of somewhat rustic-looking wood buildings as well. Best for couples and romance, not quite versatile enough for family sessions with kids.
Collinsville, Canton, CT **
What I love: This is a tiny railroad village in Canton with old crumbly brick factory buildings, it's an adorable little spot, particularly for couples sessions. Again, this one is better suited for couples sessions rather than families.
La Salette Open Space, Bloomfield **
What I love: A great option on the northern end of the state — beautiful open grass and some crumbling abandoned stone buildings!
What I love: This one is great if you’re into a bit of a darker, moody twist, you’ll see what I mean if you look up photos! I recommend this location more so for romantic couples sessions rather than family sessions with kids.
Topsmead Park, Litchfield **
What I love: Beautiful park with a combination of open grassy pastures, beautiful seasonal flowers, and large stone cottage
Sleeping Giant State Park, New Haven
What I love: You may need to pack your hiking shoes to get here and have a little trek, but it’s well worth it. There's a secret trail that leads to some old, crumbling archway ruins as well as some graffitied concrete structures for something a little grungy and unique!
Harkness Memorial Park, Waterford **
This is a fair option if you’re looking for a combination of things. There’s a grassy field, the beach, some gardens, and stone structures/mansion, though I highly recommend a Monday-Wednesday visit due to the heavy traffic of this park, particularly in the nicer months.
Waveny Park, Stamford **
Similarly to Harkness, this park is a fair option for those in the south end of the state and includes a grassy field, forest pathway, and stone mansion but again, Monday-Wednesday is advised due to tourist volume.
Pardee Rose Garden, New Haven
What I love: This isn't really a stone building, but it's a cute white greenhouse that's kind of run-down (but in a good way) as well as a couple of somewhat rustic-looking wood buildings as well. Best for couples and romance, not quite versatile enough for family sessions with kids.
Collinsville, Canton, CT **
What I love: This is a tiny railroad village in Canton with old crumbly brick factory buildings, it's an adorable little spot, particularly for couples sessions. Again, this one is better suited for couples sessions rather than families.
La Salette Open Space, Bloomfield **
What I love: A great option on the northern end of the state — beautiful open grass and some crumbling abandoned stone buildings!
natural rock face.
Sleeping Giant State Park, New Haven
What I love: If you're looking for something a bit different, this is the spot for you. There’s an area of this park where the entire side of the mountain has been carved out during its quarry days. So if you’re looking for something a bit dramatic, rocky, Colorado-y, pack your hiking boots. It's not a long hike, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it if you're pregnant (requires a bit of clambering around). But it’s SO unique and worth it for rugged/midwest looking terrain!
What I love: If you're looking for something a bit different, this is the spot for you. There’s an area of this park where the entire side of the mountain has been carved out during its quarry days. So if you’re looking for something a bit dramatic, rocky, Colorado-y, pack your hiking boots. It's not a long hike, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it if you're pregnant (requires a bit of clambering around). But it’s SO unique and worth it for rugged/midwest looking terrain!
urban parking garage rooftop.
Downtown, New Haven
What I love: I seldom do many urban photoshoots, though if you’re looking for something a little unique and edgy, the top of a parking garage at sunset does wonders!
What I love: I seldom do many urban photoshoots, though if you’re looking for something a little unique and edgy, the top of a parking garage at sunset does wonders!
