Where to Take Family Photos in Portsmouth, NH (And How to Choose the Right Spot)

Where to Take Family Photos in Portsmouth, NH (And How to Choose the Right Spot)

1. Urban Forestry Center: Room to Roam

The Urban Forestry Center is one of my favorite options for a natural setting without leaving Portsmouth.

There are trees, trails, open grassy areas, and plenty of seasonal variety. It's especially lovely in the fall, but greenery and interesting backgrounds aren't limited to peak foliage season.

One of the benefits here is the flexibility. We can photograph a family sitting together in the grass, take a short walk, or find a quieter spot where everyone has a little room to settle in.

If you have young children who need to move around, that can be a big advantage.

There are walking trails, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. But a photo session doesn't have to mean hiking all over the property. We can choose an area that works for the people coming along.

2. Four Tree Island: Water, Trees, and a Little Adventure

Four Tree Island offers a different Portsmouth experience, with water views, open spaces, and a change of scenery from the downtown streets.

And sometimes the photographs that happen while we're getting from one place to another are just as good as the ones we stopped walking to take.

The photograph here is a pretty good example. Nobody needs to stand perfectly still to make a family photograph worth keeping.

The practical considerations matter, though. There's a walk from the parking area along a gravel causeway, and the island is more exposed to wind than a sheltered wooded location. Dogs aren't permitted, either.

If someone in your family has mobility concerns, needs frequent breaks, or would rather not do much walking, we'll talk about that before deciding whether this is the right place.

3. Downtown Portsmouth Waterfront: A Little More City, A Little Less Forest

Not everyone wants trees and fields in their family photos.

Downtown Portsmouth has an entirely different look, with the working waterfront, historic architecture, brick sidewalks, and boats along the Piscataqua River.

I love that you can photograph a family with tugboats in the background and immediately know exactly where you were. It feels like Portsmouth, because it is Portsmouth.

Of course, downtown also means people, traffic, parking, and the possibility that someone will walk directly through the background at an inconvenient moment.

That's not a reason to avoid it. It just means we'll plan around the busier areas, choose our timing carefully, and leave a little room for the unexpected.

For families who enjoy being downtown, or want photographs that feel connected to the place they live, it's a great option.

4. Strawbery Banke Neighborhood: Historic Portsmouth, Year-Round

One of my favorite things about Portsmouth is the architecture.

Colorful clapboard buildings, interesting doors, brickwork, and historic details offer something different from the usual greenery. And they work in more than one season.

This maternity session, photographed with snow on the ground, is proof that we don't need flowers in bloom or trees full of leaves to make interesting photographs.

The area around Strawbery Banke offers plenty of historic Portsmouth character. We do need to be mindful of where we're photographing, since public streets and walkways are different from museum property or private spaces.

Winter sessions also come with their own logistics. Cold hands, slippery sidewalks, and how long everyone is comfortable outside are all things I consider.

A shorter walk and a few carefully chosen backgrounds can be more useful than trying to cover every street in the neighborhood.

5. Prescott Park: Flowers, Gardens, and Waterfront Variety

Prescott Park is probably one of Portsmouth's most recognizable photography locations, and it's easy to understand why.

Between the gardens, brick pathways, trees, and nearby waterfront, there's a lot of variety without having to travel between completely different locations.

The flowers are particularly beautiful when they're in season. But they aren't there year-round, and the park can look quite different depending on when we visit.

It's also a popular public space, especially during events and the warmer months.

I consider the time of day, what's happening in the park, and how much activity a family is comfortable having around them.

Some people don't mind a busy setting. Others would rather have a quieter spot where they don't feel like everyone is watching. Neither preference is wrong.

So, Which Portsmouth Photography Location Is Best?

There really isn't one answer.

A family with a toddler who loves to run around might have a different ideal location than someone bringing grandparents, a senior who wants an urban backdrop, or a couple hoping for waterfront photographs.

When I'm helping someone choose, I'm thinking about more than how the background looks.

• Walking and accessibility: How far are we going, and what is the terrain like?

• Kids: Is there room to move around? Somewhere to take a break?

• Dogs: Are they allowed at the location?

• Crowds: Would a busy public setting feel comfortable or distracting?

• Light and weather: What time of day and season will work best?

• Your preferences: Do you actually like gardens, waterfronts, and historic buildings, or would you rather be somewhere completely different?

You don't have to figure all of that out on your own before contacting me.

And you certainly don't need to choose a location just because you've seen someone else's photos there!

Your Photos Don't Have to Look Like Everyone Else's

I've been photographing families around Portsmouth and the New Hampshire Seacoast for nearly twenty years, and one thing hasn't changed: the right location is the one that works for the people being photographed.

Sometimes that's a beautiful garden. Sometimes it's a quiet spot in the woods. Sometimes it's a familiar place where your family already enjoys spending time.

And sometimes it's your own backyard.

The location is part of the photograph, but the people are the reason we're there.

If you're thinking about family photos in Portsmouth or the surrounding Seacoast area, I'm happy to help you figure out where to go.

Learn more about family photography or get in touch.

For more ideas beyond Portsmouth, take a look at my New Hampshire photography locations guide.