Fall Photo Locations for Families in New York City

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year in New York City. It’s the perfect time to take family photos, and choosing where to take them is a big part of the plan. As a New York City family photographer, I have a short list of favorite fall family photo locations. Some are famous, some are hidden gems, and each has its own feel.

Here is where I love to photograph families in the fall, and what makes each spot special. I hope you find this list helpful. Enjoy!

Fall Family Photos at Bethesda Terrace, NYC

Central Park: My Top Pick for Fall Family Photos

Central Park is by far my favorite fall photo location in New York City because it holds so many beautiful places in one park. A few of my favorites are the Bow Bridge, the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, The Mall, Gapstow Bridge, and The Conservatory Garden, a true hidden gem at the top of the park. With this many options, we can build your session around the places that feel most like your family.

Why do I love Central Park so much? Well, it’s super easy to get to. Central Park is the most central of my fall locations. It runs along many subway lines, so it is simple for your whole family to get there. I have families that come in from Long Island, Westchester, Rye, and New Jersey because they all want that iconic background and look in their photos.

Oh, and It’s also great for larger groups of families. If your family is on the bigger side, Central Park has the space. It works well for groups of up to 10(or so). Also, to be completely honest, it’s the best spot for fall foliage in New York City, so plan your session for late October and early November. You will feel as if you just stepped into your favorite romantic comedy movie set (When Harry Met Sally - forever!).

Here are a few more of my favorite locations for your fall family photos in NYC!

No. 1 - The Upper West Side.

The Upper West Side is another favorite of mine. With the fall leaves, it feels like a scene from an old Rom-com movie (hello, you’ve got mail - a forever classic). It is a sweet setting for families who want their photos to feel a little cinematic. I love finding new brownstones with interesting decor and doors that have been decorated for Fall. Riverside Park is also a hidden gem that has foliage, flowers, and the water all in one location.

No. 2 - The West Village

The West Village is a favorite for its cobblestone streets, brownstones, and proximity to the water. One block you are surrounded by brownstones that are over 100 years old and have so much character, and then end up in the modern meatpacking district, walk along the High Line, or have the water in the background along the West Side Highway. The options are endless!

No. 3 Battery Park

If you want to have water views and glowy light in your morning family session in New York City, Battery Park has always been a favorite of mine as well. There are a couple of great parks that you can visit along the water’s edge.

No. 4 - DUMBO, Brooklyn

There are so many wonderful places to take your family photos in Brooklyn. My favorite locations include: Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, and of course, Prospect Park. Prospect Park is the second largest park in New York City and offers so many beautiful and often hidden locations right in plain sight.

Dumbo in Brooklyn is where I spend most of my sessions because you have the iconic New York City skyline in the background. Brooklyn Bridge Park offers so many piers and shaded areas for photography. I love Jane’s Carousel, St. Anne’s Warehouse, the waterfront with the Manhattan Bridge in the background, and Pebble Beach, too. Everyone wants to visit Washington Street because you can get the Manhattan Bridge in the background, but for that spot, you have to get there EARLY to ensure there are no tourists in the background.

Family of Four in Central Park, Bethesda Terrace

How to Choose Your Fall Family Photo Location

Each of these locations gives your family a different look. Here is my quick overview to help guide you in the right direction:

Central Park: easy to reach, room for groups of up to 10, and the best foliage in late October and early November
Upper West Side: fall leaves and an old rom-com feel
West Village: cobblestone streets, morning light, and the water in the background
Battery Park: beautiful light, close to the water and iconic views
Brooklyn: You want the city in the background of your photos

The good news is that you do not need to decide on your own. Tell me who is joining your session, grandparents included, and we will pick the spot together. I would love to photograph your family this fall, so click here to contact me to get started today!

For details on booking your maternity, newborn, or family session, please visit our contact page
stay connected! follow jainé kershner photography on Instagram

Bridgehampton Beach Session with Family Photographer in NYC

There’s nothing I love more than photographing a family in a place that already feels like home. For this Bridgehampton session, we met on a quiet stretch of beach on a cloudy summer afternoon to capture a little boy’s very first season by the ocean. His mom grew up spending summers nearby in Sag Harbor, so coming back here with her own baby felt extra special.

We kept things simple and baby-led. There were snuggles in mom and dad’s arms, a few quiet moments in the dunes, and lots of giggles when the breeze picked up. At this age, it’s less about perfect poses and more about capturing the way your baby looks at you, how tiny they still feel in your arms, and all those little details you never want to forget. The soft light, the sentimental location, and their relaxed, thoughtful wardrobe all came together to tell their story in a simple, genuine way.

If you’re dreaming of photos that feel like your family - calm, natural, and full of connection - choosing a favorite place and letting your evening unfold is a beautiful place to start. I’d love to hear from you!

For details on booking your maternity, newborn, or family session, please visit our contact page
stay connected! follow jainé kershner photography on Instagram

Summer Family Photo Session in the Hamptons, NY

Summer mornings in the Hamptons have a magic all their own. The light is soft and golden, the air feels fresh and salty, and life seems to slow down just enough to notice all the little details. As a NYC Family Photographer, some of my favorite sessions happen at family vacation homes out east, where everyone is relaxed and truly themselves.

This sweet family spends every summer at their vacation home in Wainscott, a quiet, peaceful corner of the Hamptons that feels far from the city’s bustle. When mom reached out, she knew she wanted to document her two boys and her husband right on their property, where so many memories already live. We chose an early-morning session to take advantage of the calm, soft light, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

At first, the boys were a little shy, which is so normal during family photography sessions. Instead of asking them to pose, we started with simple, low-pressure moments: walking with mom and dad, sitting together on the steps, and chatting about their favorite things. With fun prompts and plenty of space to just be themselves, they quickly warmed up.

This family session was everything I love about summer family photography: golden light, genuine connection, and a family simply enjoying time together in their favorite place. If you’re dreaming of your own summer family photos in the Hamptons or NYC, I’d be honored to help you preserve these fleeting, sun-kissed days. Please contact us to start planning your session.

For details on booking your maternity, newborn, or family session, please visit our contact page
stay connected! follow jainé kershner photography on Instagram

Beach Family Pictures in The Hampton’s

Summer sessions have quickly become my favorite for a myriad of reasons. I love having the beach all to ourselves, capturing kids being kids, and most importantly, capturing these small moments in my families lives. This family was getting ready to welcome a new member so they decide to take beach family pictures in East Hampton. We spent the morning looking for seashells, flying a kite, and dipping our toes in the sand. It was a magical morning in the Hampton’s and excited to share a few of my favorite photos.

For details on booking your maternity, newborn, or family session, please visit our contact page
stay connected! follow jainé kershner photography on Instagram

NYC Family Photographer - Highline Family Photos

It’s hard to believe that this incredible couple is celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. I have been a part of their life for each incredible moment in their lives from their engagement session, to their wedding, and capturing their family as it expands. For their Fall family photos we visited the Highline in New York City which is the exact same location we took their engagement photos over a decade ago. I’m beyond grateful to be continually asked to document my families milestone sessions and watch their lives expand and children grow up. I’m thrilled to share a few of my favorite photos from their fall milestone session in NYC.

For details on booking your maternity, newborn, or family session, please visit our contact page
stay connected! follow jainé kershner photography on Instagram