They say you can’t beat Wellington on a good day. But with so much beauty, it can be hard to pick a place to take photographs. So, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my top on-location spots in Wellington for photos. As I explore this stunning city more, I will add to the list.
Whitireia Park
With 180 hectares of open space and pockets of native bush, there is plenty to photograph at this park in Titahi Bay. Whitireia Park includes a beach, long grass, rocks and views out towards Mana Island. This spot is fantastic for family and maternity portraits – particularly golden hour sessions. The park also has a public toilet – which is great for gown changes during maternity sessions.
Truby King Park
Truby King Park is a little hidden gem in the suburb of Melrose, not far from Wellington Zoo. A mix of brick and trees with some beautiful views across Wellington. This has the feel of an archaeological site, with stairs to nowhere, stand alone gates and hidden nooks.
Botanic Gardens
There are a lot of reasons to simply adore the Wellington Botanic Gardens. In a tiny space, you can add so much variety to your photos. The Duck Pond is a great place to start before ambling around amongst the varied flora and fauna. You do need to get official approval to photograph here and pay a fee.
Eastbourne
The beach, the long grass, views of the city and the wharf. Eastbourne is particularly great for family and boho inspired sessions. The beach is not as big as Whitireia but there are plenty of options and a wharf.
Petone Beach
A short stretch of beach offers a wharf, greenery and views of the city. Petone Beach is lovely for a range of reasons – offering plenty of options close to the hub of Lower Hutt.
Banks of the Hutt River
The banks of the Hutt River offer tranquility, wooded areas and water. This is particularly nice if you would like to bring your four-legged friends along for the session. There is no single spot that is better than the others, so, it depends on where you are and where you want to meet!
Breaker Bay
A beautiful beach close to Miramar, Breaker Bay is a lovely spot for a golden-hour shoot. The beach is pebbles rather than sand (which can be off-putting for some little people) and the hole-in-the-rock was looking a little dodgy when I was there last but with sweeping views into the ocean, this one is definitely worth being considered.
City Centre
The Wellington CBD is a vibrant, eclectic mix of water, wind and street art. Within a short walk from Te Papa, there are sea views, boat sheds, brick-work and sculptures. The CBD makes for a really interesting session for people who love Wellington!
Pukerua Bay
A beautiful quiet beach just north of Wellington, this is a lovely spot for people looking for ocean views with Kapiti Island on the horizon. Easy access from the road. This is a great location for people wanting a quiet beach option for maternity or family sessions.
Things to remember when choosing a location
Each of the on-location spots in Wellington offers something special for portrait sessions, whether they be family, maternity, individual or couple. But there are a few things you might want to consider when deciding which spot to choose.
- Will there be kids? What sort of environment will your kids enjoy? What sort of environment will be safe for them?
- Are you comfortable having your session with on-lookers? Some locations are popular in general and that means there may be people watching. If that isn’t your cup of tea, then maybe we should consider something more secluded.
- Is the location accessible? Does anyone at your session struggle with walking and will the location make it difficult for them? This is particularly the case for maternity sessions! Whether you are 28 weeks pregnant or 38 weeks pregnant – you may not want to traipse over boulders for your session.