Family portraits in Dunedin

One of the lovely things about having family portraits taken in Dunedin is just how much choice we have. Within a fairly short drive we can be at the beach, surrounded by beautiful gardens, tucked amongst trees and native bush, wandering through the city, or somewhere that feels completely personal to your family.

And while the location definitely adds to the look of your photographs, I don’t think there is one perfect family photography location in Dunedin. The best spot is usually the one where your family can relax, move around and simply be yourselves.

Family Photos at the Beach

Dunedin beaches are hard to beat for family portraits. St Clair and St Kilda give us that big open coastline, beautiful soft sand and plenty of room for children to move rather than feeling like they have to stand still and pose. Dunedin actually has a huge variety of beaches within easy reach of the city, from the familiar stretches of St Clair and St Kilda to quieter coastal locations further out.

I love beach sessions because they naturally create movement. Kids can run, parents can walk with them, everyone can cuddle together when it gets chilly, and we can catch all those little interactions happening in between. You still get the beautiful family portraits for the wall, but you also get photographs that feel alive.

And yes, this is Dunedin, so sometimes there will be wind. I actually quite like a bit of movement in hair and clothing — it can make photographs feel wonderfully natural rather than overly perfect.

Dunedin Botanic Garden

If you love greenery, flowers and a slightly more classic feel, the Dunedin Botanic Garden is another beautiful option.

There is such a variety within the gardens that we can create several different looks without travelling from one location to another. There are formal garden areas, mature trees, woodland, pathways and more natural pockets of planting, which gives us plenty to work with throughout a session.

Gardens are particularly lovely if you want photographs that feel soft, relaxed and timeless. They can also work really well when grandparents are joining the session because we don’t necessarily need to walk huge distances to create plenty of variety.

Woodhaugh Gardens

Woodhaugh Gardens is another lovely choice if you prefer a more relaxed, leafy environment.

There are open grassy areas, mature trees, bush walks and a stream running through the gardens, so it has a slightly more natural and less manicured feel than some other garden locations. It’s also very family-friendly, with plenty of space for children to explore and move around.

For younger children especially, I find sessions work so much better when we give them something to do. Rather than continually asking a three-year-old to smile at me, we can walk, play, explore and let the photographs happen around them.

The Otago Peninsula

For something a little more expansive and beautifully Otago, the Peninsula gives us some incredible possibilities.

Think rolling hills, harbour views, beaches, long grasses and those slightly wild landscapes that feel very much like home. The Peninsula is particularly beautiful if you want family portraits that feel less formal and a little more cinematic or atmospheric.

It can also be wonderful for older children and teenagers who may not want the traditional everyone stand together and smile kind of family photo session. We can give them some space, keep things moving and create portraits that feel much more natural.

Somewhere That Means Something to Your Family

Sometimes the best family portrait location isn't one you'll find on a list at all.

It might be the beach where you walk the dog every Sunday. Your family farm. The garden at your parents' house. A favourite holiday spot. Somewhere the kids have grown up playing.

These locations bring another layer to your photographs because you're not simply documenting what your family looks like right now — you're documenting a little piece of your family history.

Years from now, the location itself might mean almost as much as the people in the photograph.

Family Portraits at Home

You don't actually have to go anywhere.

At-home family photography can be incredibly beautiful, particularly with babies and young children. There is something special about photographing children in their own environment, curled up on the sofa, jumping on Mum and Dad's bed, playing in their bedroom or simply hanging out together.

Home sessions are less about creating perfectly polished portraits and more about capturing your family exactly as life looks right now.

And those ordinary little pieces of life have a habit of becoming incredibly precious later.

Or We Can Keep Things Simple in the Studio

If you prefer a cleaner, more polished style, a studio family portrait session is another option.

Studio portraits remove all the distractions and bring the focus completely back to your family; faces, personalities, relationships and connection. We can create something simple and contemporary, or style the session a little more depending on the kind of photographs you love.

They’re also a good option when Dunedin weather has decided it has absolutely no intention of cooperating.

So, Where Should You Have Your Dunedin Family Photos Taken?

Start with how you want the photographs to feel, rather than worrying about finding the most impressive location.

Do you imagine bare feet, windblown hair and kids running along the beach? Something green, soft and timeless? A beautiful polished studio portrait? Or photographs in a place that already holds memories for your family?

You don't need to figure all of that out before getting in touch either. Part of my job is helping you choose a location that suits your family, your children, the season and the kind of images you're drawn to.

Most importantly, I want the session itself to feel easy. There'll be some gentle direction from me when we need it, plenty of chatting and probably a bit of silliness along the way. We’ll get the lovely everyone-looking-at-the-camera photographs, but I’ll also be watching for the laughter, cuddles, little glances and beautifully imperfect moments happening in between.

Because ultimately, the location is the backdrop. Your family is the story.

If you've been thinking about updating your family portraits, have a look through my Family & Children Photography page and get in touch. We can chat about your family and find a Dunedin location that feels completely right for you.