18 Best Photography Locations in Lancaster County, PA and the surrounding areas
One of the first questions I get after someone books a session is: "Where should we take our photos?"
The truth is, the right location can completely transform a gallery. Whether you're dreaming of golden fields, colorful gardens, towering trees, or breathtaking overlooks, Lancaster County has no shortage of beautiful places to create timeless images.
As a Lancaster County photographer, I've spent countless hours exploring parks, preserves, and hidden gems to find locations that photograph beautifully throughout the year. Below are some of my favorite places for family, maternity, couples, engagement, and senior sessions.
Lancaster County Favorites
Lancaster County Central Park
If you're looking for variety, Lancaster County Central Park is the place. With open fields, wooded trails, charming bridges, and beautiful pockets of greenery, it's a location that works in every season. Great for couples, families, maternity, and senior sessions.
Overlook Park
Overlook Park offers wide open grassy areas, mature trees, and gorgeous evening light. It's especially beautiful during golden hour when the sun filters through the trees. Early morning sessions here also produce beautiful light throughout the tall trees off the walking trail. Best for family, engagement, couples, and senior sessions.
Long's Park
Long's Park is a Lancaster classic for a reason. The lake, walking paths, gardens, and mature landscaping provide a timeless backdrop that never goes out of style. It's a great location if you're looking for a variety of backdrops without having to travel far. Best for families, maternity, couples and senior sessions.
Landis Woods Park
If fall is your favorite season, Landis Woods is hard to beat. The wooded trails become filled with rich oranges, reds, and golden leaves, creating a beautiful autumn backdrop. Great for fall family sessions, couples, and seniors.
Lititz Springs Park
Located in the heart of Lititz, this park combines beautiful landscaping with charming small-town character.
From mature trees to winding pathways and nearby historic architecture, it's perfect for clients who love a romantic, storybook feel. This is a great location for couples, engagements, families, and seniors sessions.
Wildflower Lookout
This is truly one of Lancaster County's not so hidden gems. When the wildflowers are in bloom, the fields become filled with color and texture that create soft, dreamy images unlike anywhere else in the area. Wildflower lookout is one of my absolute favorite summer locations and I will never say no to a golden hour session here. Because the blooms are seasonal, these sessions book quickly every year.
Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve
For nature lovers, Shenks Ferry offers winding trails lined with beautiful native wildflowers each spring.
The peaceful atmosphere makes it perfect for couples or anyone wanting something a little different from the traditional park setting. This location is great for spring sessions.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
Middle Creek is known for its expansive landscapes, rolling hills, and peaceful scenery. This location offers stunning natural views and incredible sunsets throughout every season. This is another one of my favorite locations to shoot at. Great for families, couples, maternity, and senior sessions.
Purple Moon Lavender Farm
If you've ever dreamed of photos surrounded by rows of blooming lavender, this is the place. The soft purple tones create an elegant, romantic atmosphere that's perfect for summer portraits. This location also offers wildflowers, field crops, and other areas throughout the farm that are perfect for pictures year- round.
Texter Mountain Nature Preserve
If you're looking for something adventurous, Texter Mountain has an amazing field surrounded by tree's and when the sun hits just right, it creates a stunning backdrop for photos. Great for candid/cinematic vibes.
Beautiful Locations Worth the Drive
Sometimes the perfect backdrop is just outside Lancaster County. Here are some of my favorite nearby locations;
Highpoint Scenic Vista
York County
If you're looking for sweeping views overlooking the Susquehanna River, Highpoint Scenic Vista delivers.
The sunsets here are absolutely breathtaking and create dramatic golden-hour portraits.
Native Lands Park
York County
This location combines river views, wooded trails, and open fields into one beautiful setting. Perfect if you're wanting nature without hiking long distances.
Royal Oaks Farm
Lebanon County
Depending on the time of year, you'll find flowering trees, beautiful fields, and gorgeous farm scenery.
Peak photography seasons at this location are typically: April, July, August, and September.
Hershey Gardens
If you're envisioning colorful flowers, elegant gardens, and beautifully maintained landscaping, Hershey Gardens is hard to beat. Literally it's like a storybook and I LOVE shooting here. Every single corner feels like a new backdrop and each one is breathtakingly gorgeous.
Memorial Lake State Park
Lebanon County
Located in Lebanon County, Memorial Lake combines waterfront scenery with wooded trails and open spaces, making it an incredibly versatile location for portraits throughout the year. This is a great location for family and senior sessions.
Founders Hall at Milton Hershey School
For clients wanting elegant architecture mixed with beautiful landscaping, Founders Hall offers one of the most unique backdrops in Central Pennsylvania. Its grand stone architecture creates a timeless, upscale feel and the rest of the grounds are maintained beautifully throughout the year, making it the perfect place for any type of portrait session. It also offers a pond, bridges, a gazebo, and a big willow tree that is absolutely perfect for posing under.
Union Canal Tunnel Park
Lebanon County
One of the area's more unique locations, Union Canal Tunnel Park offers historic stonework, wooded paths, and beautiful waterfront scenery. It's a great option for clients looking for something different than the typical park session.
Samuel Lewis State Park
York County
Samuel Lewis State Park is the perfect location for panoramic views and incredible sunsets.. I mean STUNNING. The rolling hills and expansive overlooks photograph beautifully in every season, especially during golden hour. This is a great location for engagement sessions.
Not Sure Which Location Is Right for You? Don't stress, that's what I'm here for! When you book a session with me, I'll help you choose a location based on your vision, the season, your family's personality, and the overall look you're hoping to achieve. Whether you're dreaming of a golden field, colorful wildflowers, romantic gardens, or scenic overlooks, we'll find the perfect backdrop together.
If you're ready to book your session, I'd love to help create images you'll treasure for years to come.
Let's find your perfect location and make some magic together.
