The Best Places for a Photoshoot in Rochester, NY
Here is your guide to the best places for a photoshoot in Rochester, NY. It covers some amazing places for all types of photoshoots!
Gone are the days when photography sessions were just restricted to indoor studios. People like to be creative these days and prefer destination photoshoots.
There are many popular places in the USA that are touted as the ideal locations for photoshoots. But you already know about them! So, in this post, I’m going to talk about that one destination that, despite being located in New York, isn’t considered a photography destination.
Well, I’m talking about Rochester, New York!
Not many would agree but it’s a fact that Rochester, NY is a treasure trove filled with some fabulous spots. The city offers plenty of options when it comes to photography.
Now, if you are local, you already know a few great places for a photoshoot in Rochester, NY. But, if you are someone who is still scratching their head and wondering - is Rochester really a destination for a perfect photoshoot? Fret not, let’s get into it!
Below, I have compiled a list of the best places for a photoshoot in Rochester.
Highland Park
A nature haven that offers a lot when it comes to photography is Highland Park. This place perhaps is one of the most beautiful parks in the city.
With stunning stone buildings, gorgeous gardens and majestic trees, the beauty of Highland Park remains intact throughout the year. Hence, it is one of those places that you can bank on for your photoshoot session any time of the year.
One of the main reasons why Highland Park is also a popular spot for photography amongst people is its near proximity to another unique place, Sunken Garden, which can also be a fantastic destination for your shoot.
Memorial Art Gallery
If you are a local in Rochester and looking for the best indoor place for a photo shoot, then the Memorial Art Gallery can be a unique option. Located within the vicinity of the University of Rochester and Downtown, the art gallery offers indoor aesthetics and outdoor sculptures throughout the museum grounds.
Whether you want to do baby photography, family photography, or even a personal photoshoot, this is the place that you can definitely consider, especially considering the lush outdoor environment. However, I would personally recommend this place for a personal photoshoot.
With a wide collection of exhibits, this is the perfect place for an aesthetic photoshoot which is very much in trend these days. If you want to have some artistic photos for IG or for your portfolio, Memorial Art Gallery won’t disappoint you!
The Seneca Park Zoo
All your queries for the best place to do a photoshoot with your consort end here at the Seneca Park Zoo. Being a nature’s paradise, this place is perfect for a cute romantic photo shoot or a family shoot with kids that have trouble sitting still! A place like the Seneca Park Zoo provides many attractions and playgrounds to keep your kids happy in between traditional family photos - while definitely capturing all of the adorable natural candids possible! However, you will also see a lot of individual photoshoots as well as family photoshoots at the same time.
The park is also known for its beautiful trails outside of the zoo that together make this place a perfect destination for your dream photoshoot. As a popular photography spot in Rochester, the Seneca Park Zoo offers plenty of ways to do a photoshoot inside and outside of the Zoo. You must gain permission from the Zoo before conducting your shoot so be sure to do so before picking a date for your shoot!
Genesee River is the key highlight at this place which adds up to the beauty of the park. Besides, fall is the preferred season among many to do a photo shoot at the Seneca Zoo Park. During this time, the park gets covered in a beautiful blanket of autumn foliage.
A perfect setting for a perfect romantic shot is the Riverway Trail Bridge built on the Genesee River and goes through the treetops.
The Lamberton Conservatory
Another popular spot for photography in Rochester is the Lamberton Conservatory. This is a beautiful place built within glass walls and serves as a home to a rich floral species.
This is certainly a unique place for any type of photography session, however, it is quite popular amongst soon-to-be-married couples for an engagement or pre-wedding shoot, individual portrait or senior portrait sessions.
It is crucial to know that as much as stunning photos the Lamberton Conservatory can offer you, you will have to go in with the knowledge it can be a little warm in some spots of the conservatory!
The reason is the climate-controlled rooms. The floral species put up on display here cannot survive in the actual climate of Rochester. Hence, there are climate control rooms. But it’s all generally bearable as the conservatory is also a popular tourist spot. :)
Besides, the exhibits at the Lamberton Conservatory change seasonally. So, you don’t have to worry about getting pictures the same as others as there is always something beautiful to see and get photographed with.
The George Eastman Museum and Garden
By its name, this place might seem like a boring one. But hey, if you are a Rochester New York photographer or someone who is a fan of the history of George Eastman, you must already know its significance.
George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, is touted as the pioneer of photography and motion picture film. Not just this, The George Eastman Museum is also the oldest photography museum in the world.
So, what could be a better place for an exceptional photoshoot than the home of the creator of film cameras? Interesting, isn’t it? It is indeed! It is also absolutely gorgeous, especially in November as unique flora bloom throughout the carefully tended to gardens.
Sunken Garden
Located right next to the Warner Castle, Sunken Garden is another popular photography spot in Rochester, New York. If you want to be a little creative and at the same time be a little old-school with your photo shoot, this is the place.
In its appearance, Sunken Garden seems more of a historical place and is unlike any other garden. Just like anywhere in Highland Park, you can also expect to see a lot of wedding and family photo sessions going on at this place.
Wickham Farms
Wickham Farms, on Sweet Corners Road in Penfield NY, offers a unique and charming array of gorgeous sunflowers and lavender fields at the end of Summer (that you can pick!), pumpkin picking in the Fall, and ever-expanding fun interactive activities - In addition to it being a gorgeous place for photos, you can also make a day out of it!
Give the goats a visit while you sip on one of their famous flavorful “Shake Ups”, or take a dive into the pool of corn! (Yes, pool of corn!) Then shake off that corn dust on the giant jumping pillow!
If you want the space to yourself during golden hour with a photographer, they also allow you to purchase a special pass after hours to do so. The creativity here is boundless with chairs and sofas, fun trailers placed throughout, and beautiful cabanas to relax after your shoot or flower picking.
With that, we’ve come to the end of our list of best places for a photoshoot in Rochester, NY. And now that you have found the potential locations for your photo shoot, the next step is to bring the photographer on board!
And Fever Dream Photo Co. not only helps you find the best location for your photoshoot but also lends its support to you as we’re also a professional photography company managed by Mary Spengeman who has years of experience in this creative art.
My Favorite Photos of the Year So Far
Check out some of my favorite photos of the year 2022 so far!
After moving back to the Rochester NY area last year, I’ve been all over Western New York helping capture weddings, portraits and family sessions. My favorite photos not only have to be satisfying in composition but show real, true emotion. I love to connect with my clients on a deep level so I can create meaningful work that portrays what makes them who they are in their most beautiful moments in life. It’s not rare for me to hear that they never had photos they liked of themselves and now they have more than they ever thought possible!
Without further ado, I present to you some of my top photos of the year so far.
I had to start with this photo of Nicole and Joe - I had just helped capture the second portion of their wedding only a couple days ago while associate shooting for Optimum Influence Media at Artisan Works (Can’t wait to share some of those photos for sure!) This photo is special to me for how gorgeously dramatic it is. A few months ago for the first portion of their laid-back, luxurious, we were granted access to Hotel Henry in Buffalo NY to capture Vogue-inspired wedding photos for this incredibly stylish dream of a couple. Jimmy, the owner of Optimum Influence Media, threw the dress up and ran out of the frame as quickly as he could. (I still had to do some photoshop magic to edit his leg out!) I loved the overcast conditions making this a shot that may even deserve a spot in Vogue!
I photographed this portrait during a session with an incredibly special family at George Eastman House. The love they shared held meaning beyond words.
How unique to have snowy headshots in Rochester??…Or rather who is brave enough to do it! I had a blast with this headshot session at Highland Park, and adored this more so candid shot of the day. His expression is so genuine!
I had a blast with this creative session! We wanted to experiment and base each photo we took around any little idea, feeling, or aesthetic that inspired us. For this shot, we took jewelry and placed it strategically throughout, creating a distinct feeling to the image I have never managed to capture before.
Risa and I created a conceptual shoot where we let whatever inspired us lead us! I want to continue to incorporate a conceptual aspect to my shoots wherever I can! I love this image for the fullness of the flowers and how that reflects Risa’s fabulously heartwarming personality.
In addition to the beautiful colors and tones the day gave us while at Highland Park, this photo is just too sweet to not include! I loved helping the kids feel more comfortable to be themselves during this low pressure, lifestyle family shoot.
I love how well this photo portrays this couple and their personalities! I love capturing silliness whenever I can, and these two had plenty! This fun tire swing can be found at MKJ Farm. I was the second shooter for Jenn Matcham for this fantastic couple’s gorgeous day.
I absolutely loved how stylish this family was - especially the sweet mom! I had never seen such a cool dress during a family shoot. The buttons went all the way down the side of the ankle length dress. It was so elegant. Her family was such a blast as well. They were another amazing client that strikes the balance between fashionably sophisticated and fantastically silly that I love so much!
I had the honor of photographing Anthony and Lauren’s secret engagement at the magnificently lavish Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania. I am a hopeless romantic, and even more so when I am able to have a couple so connected to each other that expresses their love in such flourishing ways - They really chose the perfect spot!
I wanted this beautiful bride Lisa to feel effortlessly gorgeous for this photo as she concluded getting ready for her wedding that day. This is definitely some laid back luxury! I love how her dress overflows the chair - definitely some Vogue Vibes!
I am just in love with the sweetness between this couple and how the lighting was just so gorgeous! I love photographing weddings at Bay Shore Grove, and can’t wait for more there! For this fairy tale wedding, I was the second shooter for Nicole April Photography.
I have to close this out with another photo from Nicole and Joe’s glorious wedding. I love to play with the full spectrum of “unposed lifestyle”, to “super posed editorial”, and we really hit it all with them!!