bethesda row

Urban Photo Session Location Idea in Bethesda, Maryland

Have you ever wondered where to have your family photos, especially if you want something a little different from the typical park setting?

When I help families plan their sessions, one of the first things we talk about is location, depending on the look and feel for their photos and of course the season and time of year. There are some really great urban photo locations in Bethesda, Maryland that can create a fun and modern feel.

This family chose Bethesda Row near downtown Bethesda, and it ended up being a really fun backdrop for their session. If you’re considering an urban setting for your own family photos, here are a few reasons why this type of location can be such a great choice.

Colors, Textures, and Visual Interest

When it’s possible, I always try to look for colors, textures, and patterns when I’m photographing children and families. I think it makes the photo more interesting. Downtown Bethesda was a perfect area to have a family photo session. Between the architecture, leading lines of the buildings, pops of color from storefronts, and beautiful outdoor plants, there’s so much variety in one walkable area.

All of these details create natural visual interest while still keeping the focus on your family’s connection.

For the best experience, urban locations like Bethesda Row are ideal early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. If your family does well with morning sessions, this can be such a relaxed and easy option.

A Fresh Change of Scenery

There are so many great options when choosing where to have your family session.

Some families love park settings for their open space and greenery. Other families prefer the comfort and intimacy of their home, especially when welcoming a new baby.

But an urban family photo session in Bethesda offers something different that you might not find in a traditional location.

The Montgomery County area has several walkable neighborhoods like this, making it easy to think a little outside the box when planning your session.

Built-In Art and Personality

One thing you’ll find when you venture out and have your family photos at an urban location is the opportunity to find cool and unexpected art! This was my second time at this location and I didn’t realize the fun mural on one of the walls. We took the opportunity to bring the boys over there and it was perfect!! They were the perfect size to showcase the wings and added personality to their images.

Planning Your Bethesda Family Photo Session

If you’re thinking about booking family photos and aren’t sure where to start, I always help guide my clients through choosing the best location for their family’s style, energy level, and overall vision. This can change season to season, and will depend where you live/how far you want to travel, and the age of your children.

If you’d like help planning your Bethesda, Maryland family photo session, I’d love to chat and recommend locations that feel just right for your family.

4 Places to Take your Family Photos in Washington, DC

I just moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, DC a little over a month ago and I have spent some time exploring and scouting photo shoot locations in Washington, DC to make sure I can have options for the families I photograph when they contact me for their lifestyle family session. I knew many photo locations in Atlanta, but now that I’m in DC I have to start over to make sure I am comfortable shooting in specific locations!

There are 3 things I am looking for when I am scouting locations for lifestyle family sessions:

  1. natural light

I am a natural light photographer and it’s important to find areas for a family photo shoot that have great light. Natural light is our friend!

2. variety in the location

I want to make sure there area different areas at the location that we can have variety in your family gallery

3. parking

Parking can be so hard here in DC so I want to find locations that have easy parking options!

keep reading if you want to find out 4 places you can take family photos in Washington, DC.

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Peirce mill - washington, dc

Peirce Mill has great texture with a nice barn door, an open field, and a gorgeous waterfall in Rock Creek Park.

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glenview mansion - rockville, maryland

What I love about Glenview Mansion is the architecture of the house and front porch, the large front lawn, and the small, shaded backyard.

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mccrillis garden house - bethesda, maryland

McCrillis Gardens is a quiet, almost hidden location and I love shooting there. It has colorful foliage and an open backyard that lets in beautiful sunset.

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downtown bethesda - bethesda, maryland

Downtown Bethesda is perfect for an city-feel location for your photo shoot. There is a lot of color, leading lines, not to mention neighborhood eateries and coffee shops that are perfect for lifestyle photography.

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There are many other historic, well known areas in Washington DC that I want to use for lifestyle family sessions so I will be writing another blog post with you for Part 2 of Places to Take Family Photos in Washington, DC. Stay tuned!

I can’t wait to photograph you!