I photograph a limited number of families in Toronto, Canada each spring or early summer. Below I’ll do a little show and tell of a few of my favourites locations to photograph families in Toronto. Which one suits your family best?
High Park
The woodland areas of Toronto’s High Park are family portrait perfection– little fairy trails and tall trees, grassy areas to sit and cuddle, and giant fallen logs to explore. High Park is Toronto’s largest urban park, with easy parking and lots to do: after your family portrait session, you can visit the Toronto Zoo, or the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground!
Colborne Lodge
Colborne Lodge is tucked away in the southern part of High Park in Toronto: a historical museum inside an 1836 home. The lodge itself has a quaint exterior which I love, but I mostly love photographing children explore the surrounding flower and vegetable gardens.
Scarborough Bluffs
The Scarborough Bluffs are about a half an hour drive outside of the city centre. They span 15 kilometres of the shore of Lake Ontario, but Bluffers Park in particular has a really picturesque beach with the bluffs as a backdrop, and magical looking trails leading to the beach.
Riverdale Farm
What an adorable little farmyard Riverdale Farm is; equally charming and rustic– and such a relaxing atmosphere. Riverdale Farm is a working farm located in Toronto‘s downtown Cabbagetown neighbourhood. There are cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens to say ‘hello’ to, and such a variety of backdrops to use, like the pretty flower gardens, brick building walls and rustic fences. It is a fantastic location for children.
Edwards Gardens
For a European garden feel, Edwards Gardens is perfect. Quaint greenhouses, manicured rose gardens, plus a fairytale bridge over a babbling brook.
Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works has a perfect mix of architecture (that red brick!) and a glorious park to explore beyond. Perfect for small children.
Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach is a lakeside beach park located at the foot of Cherry Street, on the east side of Toronto. The sandy beach is lovely, and there are also wooded areas and a boardwalk. It can be busy on summer weekends, so weekdays are best.
