Seven Best Places For Family Pictures | Columbus, Ohio

As a Columbus family photographer, I know how important it is to find the perfect location for your family portrait photoshoot.

Columbus is full of beautiful parks, scenic spots, and stunning backdrops for your perfect moment. If you're looking for natural settings, vibrant florals, or urban and nature-inspired scenery, Columbus has it all.

I promise you we’ll find a perfect place for your family photography session.

Here are some of the best locations to capture timeless family pictures in Columbus, Ohio.

1. Creekside

Family Photo at Creekside

Creekside in Gahanna is a favorite among Columbus photographers for its variety of backdrops. This location offers charming water features, a boardwalk, and lush greenery that provide a mix of urban and nature-inspired aesthetics.

Whether you want photos by the flowing creek, the brick-paved walkways, or the charming bridges, Creekside is an excellent choice for a versatile family portrait photoshoot.

If you schedule your family pictures at Creekside during golden hour, the soft glow reflecting off the water creates a dreamy atmosphere, adding warmth and depth to your images.

2. Alum Creek Beach

For families who love a beachy vibe without leaving central Ohio, Alum Creek Beach is a fantastic choice. The sandy shoreline, sparkling water, and open skies provide a light and airy feel to your family photography session.

Kids love playing in the sand, which makes for fun and candid moments that truly capture your family's personality.

Since this location is more open and has fewer shaded areas, scheduling your session during the early morning or late evening ensures softer lighting and more flattering portraits.

I recommend bringing light-colored outfits to complement the natural tones of the sand and water!

3. Glacier Ridge Metro Park

Glacier Ridge Metro Park offers a unique mix of landscapes, making it a dream location for family photography in Columbus, Ohio. With its expansive fields, boardwalk trails, and beautiful wooded areas, there’s a perfect setting for every family.

The tall grasses and open fields provide a warm, rustic charm, while the woodland paths add depth and intimacy to your portraits.

This park is especially stunning when the leaves change colors in the fall, creating a breathtaking backdrop for your family pictures. Columbus photographers love Glacier Ridge for its ability to capture both structured family portraits and fun, candid moments.

4. Homestead Park

Homestead Park Family Portrait

Homestead Park in Hilliard is an excellent location for families with young children. With a covered bridge, a picturesque pond, and open fields, this park offers plenty of beautiful spots for a family portrait photoshoot.

The playground and walking trails also provide opportunities for playful, candid shots that showcase your family's natural interactions.

This park is ideal for families looking for a relaxed setting where kids can run around and have fun while capturing authentic moments. The variety of landscapes ensures that your family photography session feels dynamic and engaging.

5. Three Creeks Metro Park

Three Creeks Metro Park is a hidden gem among local photographers for its peaceful and nature-filled setting. With its scenic walking trails, beautiful bridges, and water features, this park offers a tranquil atmosphere that enhances family portrait photoshoots.

One of Three Creeks' is known for the water's stunning reflections, which can add a unique and artistic touch to your family pictures. Whether you prefer wide-open fields, shaded woodland areas, or charming bridges, Three Creeks Metro Park provides a variety of options for creating timeless family portraits.

6. Whetstone Park of Roses

Whetstone Park of Roses

If you’re looking for a romantic and colorful setting, Whetstone Park of Roses in Clintonville is one of the most stunning locations for family photography in Columbus, Ohio.

The beautifully maintained rose gardens provide vibrant colors and elegant backdrops that elevate your portraits.

This location is perfect for spring and summer sessions when the roses are in full bloom.

It offers a dreamy, storybook-like setting for your family portrait photoshoot. Columbus photographers often use the park’s pergolas and shaded areas to create soft, flattering lighting for classic family portraits.

7. Blendon Woods

Blendon Woods is an excellent choice for families who love woodland settings. With its dense trees, scenic trails, and peaceful meadows, this park provides a secluded and natural backdrop for family pictures.

The beautiful fall foliage makes Blendon Woods particularly popular during autumn, when the warm orange, red, and yellow hues create a breathtaking display.

This location is also great for families who enjoy a more adventurous, nature-inspired session. The winding trails and wooden bridges add an element of exploration, making for unique and memorable family portraits.

Book Your Family Photography Session Today!

Family Portraits For Your Growing Family

Choosing the right location for your family pictures can make all the difference in creating timeless and meaningful portraits.

Whether it's the vibrant florals of Whetstone Park of Roses, the peaceful waters of Creekside, or the adventurous landscapes of Glacier Ridge Metro Park, the perfect spot for your family portrait is out there somewhere.

As a Columbus family photographer, I love helping families find the ideal setting that reflects their personalities and captures their genuine connections.

Let's chat if you’re looking to book a family portrait photoshoot with a local photographer who knows the best spots in Columbus!

Five Best Photography Locations | Columbus

Columbus, Ohio, a city with a rich tapestry of urban vibrancy and natural beauty, offers endless opportunities for professional Columbus photographers and their subjects. Whether you are looking for locations for family pictures or wedding and engagement photography, Cap City provides a diverse canvas for creative exploration. Industrial aesthetics, charming historic streets, and lush greenery with riverside views await you on your quest for the 

Furman Photography explores some of the most iconic and inspiring locations, each with its unique personality and photo opportunities. We specialize in high-quality, professionally tailored shots. Book a session at any of these iconic Columbus locations or in our professional photography studio to capture the memories you never want to forget. 

400 W Rich: Industrial Chic Meets Creative Energy 

Located in the heart of Franklinton, 400 W Rich is a sprawling warehouse turned creative hub. This space is a playground for Columbus photographers who appreciate raw, industrial backdrops. Inside, you’ll find textured walls, exposed beams, and an abundance of natural light filtering through large windows—ideal for portrait sessions or editorial shoots.

Smile For The Camera at 400 W Rich

The venue regularly hosts art shows, markets, and other community events, which add dynamic, candid photo opportunities. The exterior of 400 W Rich is equally impressive, featuring vibrant murals and graffiti that add pops of color and intrigue. Photographers looking for edgy, urban vibes will find this spot irresistible.

Musician photoshoots and artistic headshots are ideal in this rustic industrial playground. Columbus photographers should take full advantage of the unique and scenic beauty this location offers.

German Village: Historic Charm and Cobblestone Streets 

German Village, a beautifully preserved 19th-century neighborhood, exudes charm at every corner. Its brick streets, historic architecture, and lush gardens make it a favorite among wedding and lifestyle photographers. Schiller Park offers expansive green spaces, shaded paths, and a picturesque gazebo that are perfect for family portraits and engagement sessions alike. 

German Village, where the moments last forever

In fall, the vibrant foliage transforms German Village into a scene straight out of a storybook. The warm tones of autumn leaves against the red brick buildings are a dream for photographers looking to capture seasonal magic. 

For a unique twist, explore the alleyways and capture the interplay of light and shadows for a more intimate, cinematic feel.

Highbanks Metro Park 

Highbanks Metro Park is perfect for individual and group family sessions

Highbanks Metro Park is a haven for nature photographers, but that doesn’t mean it's not ideal for any photo shoot. Bring to life your client's needs through miles of trails winding through forests, meadows, and ravines. A variety of settings for landscapes make it an ideal location for wildlife and portrait photography in Columbus. 

Columbus photographers looking for places to shoot family photos, individual portraits, and maternity sessions should consider Highbanks Park as an ideal location. 

In addition, it's a fantastic spot for staging romantic couple portraits. Columbus Wildlife enthusiasts will also appreciate the opportunity to photograph deer, birds, and other native species in their natural habitats.

Inniswood Metro Gardens 

Perfect your pose at Inniswood Metro Gardens

Inniswood Metro Gardens is a botanical paradise, perfect for portrait photography, family portraits, and everything in between. With meticulously curated gardens, flowing fountains, and whimsical structures, this park provides an enchanting backdrop for any shoot.

Spring and summer are particularly vibrant at Inniswood, with blooming flowers and lush greenery creating an explosion of color. The gardens also feature several thematic areas, such as the Sisters’ Garden, which includes playful elements like a treehouse and a secret garden—perfect for children’s portrait sessions.

Scioto Mile: Urban Sophistication Along the River

Scioto Mile is ideal for band photoshoots and headshots

 Stretching along the downtown Columbus waterfront, the Scioto Mile blends urban sophistication with natural beauty. This area is ideal for skyline shots, architectural photography, and dynamic portraits. The promenade features fountains, sculptures, and modern landscaping, while the nearby bridges offer dramatic leading lines for compelling compositions.

The Scioto River reflects the city lights at night, making it an excellent spot for long-exposure photography. In daylight, the green spaces along the river provide a perfect contrast to the sleek cityscape. The Rich Street Bridge and Main Street Bridge are particularly photogenic, offering unique angles of the Columbus skyline.

Professional Photography in Columbus

Columbus, OH, is a photographer’s playground, offering an eclectic mix of urban and natural settings ideal for any professional photoshoot. Whether you’re drawn to the gritty charm of 400 W Rich, the historic allure of German Village, the untamed beauty of Highbanks, the manicured elegance of Inniswood, or the urban-modern vibe of the Scioto Mile, there’s something here for every creative vision.

No matter your style or subject, these locations invite you to explore, experiment, and capture the essence of Columbus in all its diversity. Whether you are a photographer looking for a photoshoot location or a prospective looking to capture the perfect moment with the best backdrop, these locations are perfect for you.

Furman Photography is Columbus, Ohio’s premier photographer, specializing in headshots, wedding photography, band photoshoots, and individual portraits. Book a session today to make the moments last forever!