The Best Outdoor Locations for Family Photos in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in Canada.

Rugged coastlines.

Lush parks.

Our charming waterfront and historic downtown.

There is no shortage of stunning backdrops for family portraits.

One of the most common questions I get when families are booking a session is: "Where should we take our photos?"

So I've put together this guide to my favourite outdoor locations for family photos in Halifax and the surrounding area, along with tips to help you choose the right one for your family.

1. Point Pleasant Park

Best overall: Woodsy trails, ocean views, and the historic appeal of brick lookouts.

Nestled at the southern tip of the Halifax Peninsula, Point Pleasant Park is one of my all-time favourite spots for family sessions.

Why? Because this beautiful park has options!

The variety means we can get several distinct looks in a single session without moving your family too far. We can get coastal ocean shots and then head up a trail for forest shots.

It's gorgeous in every season: vibrant green in summer, fiery with colour in fall, and hauntingly beautiful in winter. Parking is available nearby, and the park is very stroller friendly.

For those with limited mobility, this park may not be the best pick, since it requires around a 15 minute walk to most locations I shoot.

2. Shubie Park

Best for: spring, summer, and autumn sessions

If you love park locations but live in Dartmouth and surrounding areas Shubie Park is a great alternative to Point Pleasant, since you can avoid the congestion on the bridges.

The park boasts beautiful trails, ponds with ducks, and beautiful bridges. The park does get busy, but there are many areas to duck into with less foot traffic.

For those with limited mobility, this park has better options closer to the entry. On busy weekends, arrive early to find parking.

3. Rainbow Haven Beach

Best for: Relaxed beach sessions, golden hour, summer

About a 35-minute drive from Halifax, Rainbow Haven Beach is absolutely worth the trip it.

It beautiful wooden boardwalks, tall grasses, and rocky shoreline give us incredible variety in one location.

This is the spot for families who want a relaxed, shoes-off, toes-in-the-sand kind of session. The sunsets here are famous for their gorgeous pink hues, so I especially love booking golden hour sessions in the summer.

A couple tips: arrive early on weekends as parking fills up fast, and wear bug spray!

4. The Halifax Waterfront

Best for: Urban family photos, lifestyle sessions in Winter and Spring

The Halifax Waterfront is a gem for family photography.

Historic buildings, colourful boardwalks, working boats in the harbour, and the buzz of a lively city all make for incredibly dynamic photos. It's a great choice for families who feel more at home in an urban environment than a park or beach.

The mix of textures like wood, brick, rope, water, adds a richness to photos that you just can't replicate elsewhere.

Although a beautiful location, it does get quite busy in the summer, which makes it a better choice for early mornings and spring / winter shoots.

5. Dartmouth Waterfront (Alderney Landing)

Best for: Halifax skyline backdrop, lifestyle sessions

Cross the harbour and you'll find one of the most spectacular views of the Halifax skyline from the Dartmouth Waterfront at Alderney Landing.

It's a beautiful, often quieter alternative to the Halifax side, and the city backdrop makes for truly striking photos.

This is a wonderful choice for families who want something a little different and the Dartmouth area in general is full of hidden gems that don't show up on the typical tourist lists.

How to Choose the Right Location for Your Family

Here are a few questions to help narrow it down:

• Are your kids naturally shy? Do they run off easily? Choose a location where they can open up, and stay safe! I want you to be able to relax too.

• What season are you booking? It's best to avoid crowds, so this can heavily influence location and timing of the photos. For example, I won't shoot Halifax Waterfront on a summer evening. The foot traffic is simply too high.

• Do you want an urban or nature backdrop? That often guides the location choice more than anything else. Keep in mind that you don't need a crazy an elaborate backdrop for my style of photography. Since I focus on movement and connection, some trees, bushes, and the right light is really all we need!

• How far are you willing to travel? Most of the spots above are within 35 minutes of downtown Halifax, but keep in mind the bridge! They are often backed up on the weekend, so avoiding them can help avoid costly delays (especially when shooting golden hour).

Ready to Book Your Halifax Family Session?

I'd love to help you choose the perfect location and capture your family right where you are. Every session includes a pre-shoot consultation where we'll talk through location, timing, outfits, and everything else to make sure your photos turn out exactly as you're imagining.

Book a Free Consultation