Photo Shoot Locations around Kitchener Waterloo-Ontario
Rockway Gardens- Kitchener
One of the first questions you will ask your photographer is:
"What locations do you suggest?"
I personally LOVE when clients show me new spots but I like to offer a plethora of suggestions when asked. Even if I'm not personally working with you this list can still help you get an idea of some locations! This is by no means a list of all the locations in the KW area, I see potential photo shoots every time I'm out and about it seems! (Hello, side of back country road sessions?)
Fellow photographers please feel free to comment links to your locations/work in the comment section! Anyone can use this as a resource for shoot locations.
How to find the locations? Clicking on location will open new window!
ALSO: Here's a quick link to my KW PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION Pinterest Board with even more locations!!
Victoria Park -Kitchener
Seems an obvious one but Victoria Park really has it all, bridges, gardens, beautiful pathways, a waterfall, a pavillion, a town clock tower, trees and water features.
Waterloo Park
Has the photogenic grist mill and boardwalk around the water, trees get beautiful colour in the fall, also has an old school building
Williamsburg Cemetary -Kitchener
I know, it's not typical to think of a cemetary as a photoshoot location but it has gorgeous trees, a tree'd pathway, and a pavillion. It also has a long bridge over a water feature.
Huron Natural Area -Kitchener
Popular spot for photographers, it features lots of trees, trails, boardwalk. It is a little more spread out then some other locations in terms of getting to the spots so take that into consideration with small children
Doon Mill Ruins -Kitchener
Very interesting architecture, rock ruins and river nearby with trees.
Snyder's Flats -Bloomingdale
There are a TON of tree'd trails around here and tallgrass landscape beautiful for sunset shoots. Flowering plants, ponds, the grand river, different types of tree'd areas, and gravel pit area. The flats are used by a lot of people and a lot of dogs :)
The Slit Barn-Cambridge
Rustic architecture and a beautiful Slit Barn, also trails with meadows, trees, flowering trees nearby.
Sheave Tower -Cambridge
Unique architecture down a short wooded trail
Woodside National Historic Site -Kitchener
*$Cost associated with shooting here
Rustic house and grounds with gardens and trees
features gorgeous wall of greenery and brickwork
Gibson Park -Elmira
Short trails, mature beautiful trees in fall, small photogenic bridge and creek
Monarch Woods -Kitchener
lots of trails, lots of trees, small wooden bridges and winding creek. Beautiful in any season
Soper Park -Cambridge
Features gardens, trees and tunneled pathways
Seagram Building -Waterloo
The windows and the brickwork make for unique architecture. Many buildings have been renovated so there is some nice lighting for evening portraits
Rockway Gardens -Kitchener
A popular location for wedding photography. There is a gazebo, beautiful gardens, rock features, a water feature with a nice white wooden bridge
Downtown Galt -Cambridge
There are many older architecture buildings and spots along the Grand River that feature them as well as nice gardens. There are also cute patios and cafes for more of an urban feel.
The Tannery District -Kitchener
Another example of old architecture and brickwork the tannery district has also been renovated to include modern features.
Jacob's Landing -Cambridge
Small path and area near the river also featuring views of historic Hespeler village.
Confederation Park -Stratford
Has a unique rock wall, a small pined forest, a beautiful Japanese inspired garden with waterfall. Nearby Millennial park has gardens, there's large open tree'd areas that get nice colour in the fall. It is also very close to the Festival theatre.
Elora Gorge -Elora
Unique architecture down a short wooded trail Beautiful scenery, the river winding through the gorge that has large walls. Also tree'd trails, caves, rock faces and bridges.
Rockwood Conservation Area -Rockwood
Beautiful escarpment scenery, tree'd trails, waterfall, caves, long boardwalks, rocky muskoka like shorelines. Also features large old mill ruins that is the setting for weddings.
KW PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION PINTEREST BOARD
Mini Sessions VS. Full Sessions
This post briefly outlines the differences between mini sessions and full sessions when you book with me since I do not arrange the typical mini session events.
I have yet to successfully arrange a day jam packed with 20 minute time slots, but there always seem to be lots of interest in mini sessions. I'm not going to lie but I used to dread the words "mini session", immediately I thought *you mean cheap session*. Let's face it, photography sessions can be expensive (but being a photographer is expensive too!). If you are wondering if I will be "doing Valentine's day minis" or Easter minis or Halloween, the answer is yes. We can pretty much create any theme you want, you just need to book a time.
You can book a mini session at any time, the same as a full session. A "mini" can either be booked for children only or for family. (Though I will always recommend booking full family sessions, I just want to spend more time with you!!)
Mini sessions cost less, include less shooting time, fewer poses, and less digital downloads. Don't worry, same amount of creativity! If you are "just looking for a shot or two" then a mini is your best option. What truly helps keep these sessions mini is the timing. I would not recommend a mini family session if you have a large family or you know from past experiences that 30 minutes is probably not going to be enough time.
A mini session might include a trip to a small park, with one main location whereas a full session would include multiple locations within a larger park or city. You'll have plenty of images to choose from your mini session, but you will have more to choose from with a full session.
My mini sessions are perfect for themed sessions, think holidays or milestones for children.
I'm excited to hear what YOUR ideas are for a mini session!!!
-Heather
xoxo
What to Expect- Family Session
Welcome!
This is going to be my first blog so please, excuse how awful it is. I thought I would start by giving you an idea of what you can expect during a typical family session with me.
On location family sessions are meant to be casual while still capturing those posed shots. I like to take candid shots of family enjoying their time together and have a bad habit of taking too many pictures! I've been known to say "just one more" a time or two...
A full family session lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on weather and willingness of the subjects. I have over 5 years experience in the early childhood education field and that definitely helps when it comes to the littles!
Speaking of weather, don't let overcast/drizzly days scare you! They can produce beautiful images. When scheduling a time early morning and sunset are the prime times, though I will shoot any time of day.
I am always open and eager to hear any ideas you have (yes, please show me/explain to me that image you saw on pinterest that you are just dying to try) . On my pinterest account I have a few boards with ideas of what to wear for family sessions
I suggest to bring snacks for the littles, something small and not messy (think cereal or smarties! Sometimes I have treats or other "incentives" haha)
I want this experience to go as painlessly as possible, because let's be honest just getting your littles to the family session itself can be the first battle! And there's usually at least one family member who really doesn't want to be there. Let's just relax and have some smiles, hopefully take home some memories and good feelings when you look back at your images.
I'm so excited to meet your family!
-Heather Weatherup