New Hampshire Photography Locations (Seacoast Spots That Actually Work for Real Sessions)
New Hampshire Photography Locations (Seacoast Spots That Actually Work for Real Sessions)
You might think you need to go find “the worlds best spot” for family photos.
People start looking up locations, saving places, and trying to figure out where to go, when in reality, you’re usually already near a few places that will be more than fine!
First thing to remember - It’s less about the location and more about you being together. That can be your backyard, a nearby park, or one of the more popular spots where you’re jockeying with other photographers and their clients for parking and a good spot. All of that is real, and all of it works if you work it.
The difference isn’t the place itself; it’s just knowing which ones are easy, which ones get busy, and how to use them in a way that doesn’t turn the whole thing into a production.
Here are a few places I’ve ended up using over and over over the years. Some are popular, some aren’t, and popular doesn’t always mean they’re worth it.
Exeter, NH (Gilman Park, Swasey Parkway / Powderhouse Loop, PEA)
Exeter is the place I’ve called home for many a decade. And it’s where I end up shooting the most.
Gilman Park is one of the easiest spots to use. It’s open, straightforward, and works well when we just want space to move around without overthinking it. Tall trees, river access, open field - it really has a little bit of everything.
Swasey Parkway and Powderhouse Loop, on either side of the Exeter/Squamscott River, are frequent spots. There are stretches right along the river, areas behind the mills, and many ways to move through it, depending on what we need.
Of note: The Parkway is lined with a black chain link fence, which can be a dealbreaker for some people, so it’s something to be aware of.
There are also plenty of at-home sessions in Exeter and spots downtown that work just as well, especially if keeping things simple is the goal.
Phillips Exeter Academy has some really beautiful buildings and architecture. It can be a great option if that’s the look you’re going for, and like any space, we’re respectful of where we are.
Portsmouth, NH (Prescott Park, Strawbery Banke, Four Tree Island, Downtown, Urban Forestry Center)
Prescott Park is one of the more well-known spots, and for good reason. It’s right on the water, there are gardens, paths, and a lot packed into a small space. It’s also busy, especially in the summer, so this is one where timing matters and you have to be a little patient with what’s happening around you. (Earlier is always better)
Right across the street, Strawbery Banke (especially in the off-season) can be a really nice option. Less foot traffic, a little quieter, and still a lot of character.
Downtown Portsmouth itself has some nooks and crannies worth checking out, depending on the size of your crew. The back streets, small pockets of green space, and quieter corners can give you a completely different feel without leaving the area. It’s less about a “spot” and more about moving through it.
Four Tree Island, out past Prescott Park, is a little more open and gives you more breathing room once you’re out there. It’s a short walk in, and you’re right out on the water with views in every direction.
Outside of downtown, the Urban Forestry Center has a completely different feel. Small, but mighty it has a few trails, woods, open space, and a quieter setting overall. It’s one of those places that works well when you want something less busy and a little more contained.
Stratham, NH / Rye, NH / New Castle, NH (Stratham Hill, Great Bay, Odiorne, Great Island Common)
This is where things start to feel a little more open.
Stratham Hill Park is one I come back to a lot. It’s easy to get to, there’s plenty of space, and once you’re up there, you’ve got options, some right next to the parking lot and some more if you’re up for a bit of a walk. It’s a good “we’ll figure it out as we go” kind of place.
Great Island Common is open, right on the water, and really nice when it works. It tends to be overrun with photographers at peak times, so this is another one that needs a little more planning and some ‘be prepared’ disclaimers.
The Great Bay Discovery Center is a little more contained. Boardwalks, paths (a play-and-discover structure that can be a benefit or a distraction), and a mix of water and woods. It’s a popular spot for my mini sessions, and if you’re up for a little bit of a hike from the car can be worth the views.
Odiorne Point State Park is a different kind of option. You’ve got ocean, rocky shoreline, trails, woods, and that oak-lined path, all in one place. It’s one of the few spots where you can get a lot of different looks with a short(ish) walk.
Durham, NH / Newmarket, NH / NH Local Spots (Wagon Hill, Packer’s Falls + beyond)
This is a mix of well-known spots and smaller, local ones, all of which work a little differently depending on what you need.
Wagon Hill is one I usually give a heads up about. It’s beautiful, open fields with views over Great Bay, but it can be buggy and very busy with other photographers, especially in peak season. Off-season, it’s great. I’m always up for it, just with that disclaimer, and maybe some earlier timing.
Also in Durham, the boat launch area aka Jackson’s Landing is one of those places that doesn’t look like much at first, but once you’re there, it opens up. Water access, a bridge over the river, a little bit of space to move around, it’s simple, but it works, and it’s usually quieter.
In Newmarket, there are a few spots I haven’t explored as much but still want to call out. Packer’s Falls is one of them, more wooded, a little more tucked away, and a different feel from the open coastal or field locations. There are also conservation areas around Newmarket worth exploring.
Sawyer Park in Kensington and Wason Pond in Chester are some others, and there are plenty more to find and learn about from my clients in Epping, Brentwood, East Kingston, and beyond.
These aren’t always the most obvious locations, but that’s kind of the point. If you’re local, it often makes more sense to stay close and use what’s nearby instead of turning it into a whole outing.
Family photos always work best when you’re not trying to force them into something they’re not.
Further Out (worth it, just not everyday)
I do go further out when it makes sense, Lakes Region, a little closer to the White Mountains, spots like that. I love a good vacation lake session (let’s go out on the boat!)
It’s not where most of my sessions happen, and it usually takes a little more planning, but if that’s where you are, it can absolutely work.
The bottom line?
You don’t need to go far or find something new. Most of the time, you’re already near a place that will work, it’s just a matter of how we use it.
If you’ve got a location in mind, send it my way, and I’ll help you figure out timing, access, and what makes the most sense for your session.
