Choosing the right family photography locations Perth families can enjoy is one of the most important parts of planning an outdoor family photoshoot. Perth offers everything from botanical gardens and leafy parks to Swan River views, playgrounds and beautiful sunset locations.
The best location isn’t necessarily the most famous one. A great family photography location should match your family’s personality, your children’s ages, the photography style you prefer and the type of memories you want to create.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best places for family photos Perth has to offer, along with practical advice from a photographer’s perspective to help you choose the right setting.
Looking for professional photography for a family celebration or special occasion? You can also explore Pictoniq’s event photography in Perth.
What Makes a Great Family Photography Location in Perth?
A beautiful background is only one part of a successful family photo session. When choosing a location, a professional photographer also considers light, shade, accessibility, parking, crowd levels and how comfortable children will be in the environment.
For younger families, having space for children to walk, run and explore can actually make the photographs better. Instead of asking children to stand still and smile repeatedly, a photographer can use their natural movement to create genuine and memorable images.
The best family photo locations Perth offers usually provide a combination of attractive backgrounds and enough flexibility to move around during the session.
- Natural light: Look for locations with attractive morning or late-afternoon light.
- Shade: Trees and covered areas can be valuable during warmer parts of the day.
- Variety: Gardens, pathways, open lawns and water can give your gallery more visual variety.
- Accessibility: Consider parking, walking distances, toilets and accessibility for grandparents or young children.
- Child-friendly features: Play areas can help younger children relax before or between portraits.
- Privacy: Less crowded areas can make family sessions feel more relaxed.
Best Family Photography Locations Perth Families Can Consider
1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Location: Fraser Avenue, Perth WA 6000.
Kings Park is one of the most versatile options for Perth family photography. Its combination of gardens, bushland, walking paths, open areas and views towards the city and Swan River means that a single session can have several different visual styles.
It can work particularly well for families who want a mixture of classic family portraits and relaxed lifestyle photographs. Younger children also have plenty of opportunities to explore, which can help create more natural expressions and interactions.
For a photographer, one of the biggest advantages of Kings Park is the variety of backgrounds available without having to travel between several different locations.
Visit Perth lists Kings Park at Fraser Avenue and highlights its extensive gardens, bushland, picnic areas, walking trails and children’s play areas. Learn more about Kings Park on Visit Perth.
Important: Professional or commercial photography at Kings Park is subject to photography rules and approval requirements. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority provides current information about permits, conditions and fees, so photographers should check the requirements before organising a professional session.
Check the current Kings Park photography requirements.
2. Matilda Bay and Crawley
Location: Mounts Bay Road, Crawley WA 6000.
For families who love water views, Matilda Bay and Crawley are excellent options for outdoor family photography in Perth. The Swan River provides a natural backdrop, while the surrounding paths and greenery create opportunities for both walking photographs and traditional portraits.
The area is particularly attractive during the late afternoon when the light becomes softer and warmer. A photographer can use the river as a background for wider photographs before moving closer for intimate family portraits.
The Crawley Boatshed can also add a recognisable Perth element to the photographs, giving the gallery a stronger sense of place.
Explore Riverside and Crawley on Visit Perth.
3. JH Abrahams Reserve
Location: Hackett Drive, Crawley WA 6009.
JH Abrahams Reserve is worth considering for families who prefer a relaxed and playful session. The reserve includes grassy and shaded areas, picnic facilities, play equipment and views towards the Swan River.
This makes it particularly suitable for outdoor family photography Perth families with young children. Rather than expecting children to pose for every photograph, a photographer can allow them to play while capturing genuine interactions.
For example, a session might begin with a few traditional group portraits before moving into photographs of parents walking with their children, siblings playing together or everyone enjoying the surroundings.
See JH Abrahams Reserve on Visit Perth.
4. Harold Boas Gardens
Location: Wellington and Havelock Street, West Perth WA 6005.
If you prefer a quieter garden environment, Harold Boas Gardens offers a completely different atmosphere from the large open spaces of Kings Park.
The gardens feature a lake, waterfall, rock cascade, established trees and large grassed areas. These elements provide plenty of natural texture for family portrait photography Perth sessions.
The location can work especially well for smaller families who want photographs that feel calm, intimate and natural.
The surrounding greenery also provides useful shade, which can be helpful when photographing children during brighter parts of the day.
Explore Harold Boas Gardens on Visit Perth.
5. May Drive Parkland
Location: May Drive, Kings Park WA 6000.
Families with energetic children may want to consider May Drive Parkland. Located within Kings Park, this family-friendly area includes an adventure playground, elevated walkway and large dinosaur replicas.
Instead of creating a traditional portrait session where everyone sits or stands in one position, photographers can use the environment to create playful and documentary-style images.
This can be especially useful when children are uncomfortable in front of the camera. Allowing them to move and explore often results in much more natural photographs.
See May Drive Parkland on Visit Perth.
6. Mardalup Park, East Perth
Location: Brown Street, East Perth WA 6004.
Mardalup Park provides a riverside setting with a mixture of greenery, walking paths and views around Claisebrook Cove.
It can be a good option for families who want something more relaxed and contemporary than a traditional garden setting. The riverside environment also creates opportunities for wider environmental portraits.
For a lifestyle-focused family photoshoot Perth session, a photographer can use walking, talking and playing as natural activities rather than relying entirely on posed photographs.
7. Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square
Wellington Square is another option for families with young or energetic children. The area includes large play spaces, open lawns and family-friendly facilities.
This type of location is particularly suitable when the goal is to document the family’s personality rather than create only formal portraits.
For example, a photographer can capture children playing while parents interact naturally nearby, followed by a few organised family portraits when everyone is ready.
Explore Wellington Square on Visit Perth.
How to Choose Between Different Family Photo Locations Perth Offers
Not every family needs the same type of location. The best choice depends on the look you want and how your family behaves in front of a camera.
| Location Type | Best For | Photography Style |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical gardens | Families wanting elegant natural portraits | Classic and lifestyle |
| Riverside locations | Sunset and relaxed photographs | Lifestyle and candid |
| Playgrounds | Families with young children | Candid and documentary |
| Open parkland | Larger family groups | Group and lifestyle |
| Small gardens | Smaller families | Intimate and portrait-focused |
Outdoor Family Photography Perth: Morning or Evening?
The time of day can dramatically change the appearance of your family photographs. A good outdoor family photographer Perth families choose will usually consider the direction and quality of available light when planning the session.
Morning Family Photography
Morning sessions can work particularly well for families with babies and younger children. Children may be more rested and energetic, while the light is generally softer than it is around the middle of the day.
Late Afternoon and Golden Hour
Late afternoon can produce warm, flattering light and beautiful backgrounds, particularly around Perth’s riverfront locations.
This can be an excellent choice for parents who want a softer, more cinematic appearance in their photographs.
Midday Sessions
Midday doesn’t mean you cannot create beautiful photographs, but direct overhead sunlight can create stronger shadows and make young children uncomfortable.
An experienced photographer can look for shaded areas, use buildings or trees to control the light, and adjust the composition to avoid harsh sunlight.
Family Photographer Perth: Candid vs Posed Photography
Before choosing your photographer, think about how you want your final gallery to feel.
Traditional Family Portraits
Traditional portraits focus on everyone looking towards the camera. They are useful for grandparents, framed photographs and classic family records.
Lifestyle Family Photography
Lifestyle photography focuses more on interaction. Parents might walk with their children, play a simple game or sit together while the photographer captures the moments naturally.
Documentary-Style Family Photography
Documentary photography takes an even more observational approach. Instead of constantly directing the family, the photographer looks for authentic moments as they happen.
A good family session can combine all three styles. A few traditional photographs ensure you have the classic family portrait, while candid photographs capture the personality and relationships within the family.
What Should You Bring to a Family Photoshoot Perth Session?
You don’t need to bring a suitcase full of props to create beautiful family photographs. Keeping things simple usually allows the family to remain the focus.
- Water bottles
- Small snacks for young children
- Sunscreen
- A change of clothes for children
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Baby essentials if required
- A favourite small toy for younger children
If you’re bringing a toy or meaningful family item, talk to your photographer beforehand. A simple personal object can sometimes add an emotional element to the story without distracting from the family.
What Should Your Family Wear for Outdoor Photos?
Coordinating outfits usually works better than making everyone wear exactly the same clothing.
Neutral colours, soft earth tones and complementary shades often work naturally with Perth’s parks and outdoor environments. Avoid very large logos or patterns that can dominate the photographs.
Most importantly, choose clothing that children can comfortably move around in. If a child is constantly uncomfortable with their clothes, it will usually show in the photographs.
How a Professional Family Photographer Perth Families Trusts Works With Children
One of the biggest differences between photographing adults and photographing families is that children rarely follow a perfect photography plan.
A professional family photographer Perth families choose should be prepared to adapt.
- Allow children time to become comfortable with the camera.
- Use games and movement instead of constant posing.
- Photograph natural interactions between parents and children.
- Give children short breaks when needed.
- Look for genuine expressions instead of forcing smiles.
- Capture the moments before and after posed photographs.
Some of the strongest photographs can happen when nobody is looking directly at the camera. A child’s laugh, a parent comforting a toddler or siblings playing together can tell a much stronger story than a forced smile.
Family Photography Locations Perth: Planning Around the Weather
Outdoor photography always involves some flexibility. Perth’s sunlight, wind and temperature can affect how comfortable a family feels and how a location photographs.
Wind can be particularly noticeable in open areas near the river, while strong sunlight can make midday sessions challenging. A photographer who knows the area can often adjust the session location or timing to make the conditions work.
Overcast weather should not automatically mean cancelling a shoot. Cloud cover can provide soft, even lighting that is excellent for family portraits.
Why Local Perth Experience Matters
Hiring a local photographer isn’t simply about knowing the name of a park. It is about understanding how different locations behave throughout the day.
A photographer familiar with Perth can consider where the best light falls, which backgrounds work for different family sizes, how much walking a location requires and which areas may be busy at particular times.
Local knowledge can also help when plans change. If one location becomes too crowded or the weather changes, an experienced outdoor family photographer Perth can adapt rather than allowing the entire session to become stressful.
Before booking, always check whether a particular location has photography restrictions or booking requirements. Kings Park, for example, has specific rules for professional and commercial photography.
Questions to Ask Before Booking Family Photography Packages Perth
Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor when comparing family photography packages Perth families are considering.
Ask your photographer:
- How long is the photography session?
- How many edited photographs are included?
- Are high-resolution digital files included?
- How will the photographs be delivered?
- What is the expected turnaround time?
- Are prints or albums available?
- Are there additional travel or location fees?
- What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
- Can we choose our own Perth location?
- Do you have experience photographing young children?
You can also view the Pictoniq photography portfolio to get a better idea of the visual style you prefer before making an enquiry.
Final Checklist for Choosing Your Family Photo Location
Before booking your session, consider these simple questions:
- Does the location suit your family’s personality?
- Is there enough space for children to move around?
- Does the location provide shade?
- Will the background match the style you want?
- Is parking or accessibility important for your family?
- What time of day will provide the best light?
- Does the location have photography restrictions?
- Does your photographer know the location well?
Capture Your Family Story in Perth
The best family photography locations Perth offers are not simply beautiful places. They are locations where your family can relax, interact and enjoy being together.
Whether you prefer the gardens and city views of Kings Park, the riverfront atmosphere of Crawley, the peaceful setting of Harold Boas Gardens or a playful family environment such as May Drive Parkland, the right location can make your photographs feel much more personal.
At Pictoniq, the goal is to create photographs that feel natural while still giving you beautiful, polished family portraits you will want to keep for years.
If you’re planning a family photoshoot, birthday, family celebration or another special occasion in Perth, explore Pictoniq’s Perth event photography services or send an enquiry to discuss your photography session.
You can also contact Pictoniq to discuss your preferred location, photography style and requirements.
Useful Perth Photography Resources
- Visit Perth: Parks, Gardens and Reserves
- Visit Perth: Kings Park
- Kings Park: Filming, Photography and Media Requirements
