10 Great Spots for Family Photos in Massachusetts

What’s better than fall in New England? The foliage is gorgeous, fall adventures abound, and in early fall you can head out without jackets! In a nutshell, it’s also the perfect time to capture family photos for your home collection and holiday cards. Here are 10 great spots in Massachusetts that offer beautiful backdrops for family photos. In all cases, check the websites directly for hours and admission details.

1. deCordova Sculpture Park (Lincoln)

On 30 acres of land, the deCordova Sculpture Park offers a backdrop of landscaped lawns, forests, fields, and gardens, and about 60 sculptures on display. Who can resist an opportunity for art exploration and family photos all in one trip?

2. The Gardens at Elm Bank (Wellesley)

Located on 36-acres, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's Gardens at Elm Bank includes a historic manor, decorative scrolled gates, water fountain, and a whimsical children’s garden with oversized chairs and other fun structures. 

3. Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain)

With gorgeous fall foliage covering the grounds and large gardens, Arnold Arboretum's 281-acre, pet-friendly landscape is a favorite for family photos.

4. Drumlin Farm (Lincoln)

For family photos with a warm, rustic feel, head over to Drumlin Farm, a real working farm and wildlife sanctuary with bright red barns, farm animals, and large open fields.

5. Falmouth Heights Beach (Falmouth)

Falmouth Heights Beach offers picturesque views of open blue water, long stretches of sand, dune grass, and rock jetties. In the quiet off-season, you can capture some great beach shots without hoards of people around.

10 great spots for family photos in Massachusetts

6. Nobska Point Lighthouse (Woods Hole)

For those hoping for a nautical look, consider one of the most popular view sites on Cape Cod, Nobska Lighthouse. From the right angle you can capture your family, the blue ocean, sandy beach, grassy knoll, and lighthouse all in one shot. The grounds are open to the public and admission is free.

7. Walden Pond (Concord)

If you’re looking for water as a backdrop but don’t feel like driving down the Cape, Walden Pond, a kettle hole formed 15,000 years ago, is a great choice. Time-permitting, why not fit in a history lesson on Henry David Thoreau while you’re there?

8. Boston Public Garden (Boston)

Beautiful gardens, great views of the city’s skyline, historic sculptures, and swan boats -- you really can’t get more Boston than the Boston Public Garden! Go in the early morning or evening hours to avoid crowds.

9. College campuses

Massachusetts is home to numerous college campuses, many of which offer lovely backdrops of rolling hills, open grassy areas, and beautiful buildings. Wellesley College (Wellesley), Boston College (Chestnut Hill), Tufts University (Medford), and Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley) are just a few gorgeous campuses that come to mind.

10. Your own backyard!

Some of our best family portraits have been taken in the comfort of our own backyard where our little one feels most at ease with a new face (the photographer), and we don’t have to stress about traffic, packing bags, and dealing with other people. For moms of itty-bitty babies, it’s nice to know that a fresh, clean onesie is just a few feet away in the event of a massive diaper blow-out!

Editor's Note: The Boston Mamas Local Mamapreneur Network includes a crazy awesome wealth of local photographers. Go on and support a fellow mama business owner if you're in the hunt for a photographer!