Best Family Portrait Locations in Howard County, Maryland
As a Columbia, Maryland family photographer who’s been photographing in the area since 2008, I'm excited to share 3 of my favorite family portrait spots here near Columbia, Maryland. When it comes to setting the scene for your family’s memories, these locations are pure gold.
I always tell clients to pick a portrait spot that’s special to them and/or that they find beautiful. Often that’s my clients’ homes, neighborhoods, or a park near their home! So let’s get into the top three park locations that can make your Maryland family portraits both fun and beautiful :)
If you love a natural, outdoorsy vibe, Centennial Park is a dream come true. With its sprawling greenery, walking trails, and a stunning lake, it's a great backdrop for your family portraits. The changing seasons only add to the magic – there are vibrant leaves in the fall and blooming flowers in the spring. There’s almost every possible nature backdrop you could want here: sunsets and sunrises lakeside, forests, fields, and paths!
For historic and timeless charm, Main Street Ellicott City is where it's at. Cobblestone streets, historic storefronts – it's like stepping into a different era after the suburban sprawl or the surrounding areas. An added bonus is that Patapsco river and state park overlaps with the main street, so if you want, we can also get some forest-y photos!
Right in the heart of Columbia, Lake Kittamaqundi is a wonderful accessible outdoors-y option. Picture this: a peaceful lake surrounded by greenery and modern architecture (I like the area around the Whole Foods building). Morning or evening, it’s perfect for getting those more formal looking-at-the-camera shots and then running around playing on the steps, dock, and restaurant-side brick paths.
The session below is at Centennial Park! And again, Main Street Ellicott City and Lake Kittamaqundi are also gorgeous options if you want a portrait location in central Maryland or Howard County. If you’re interested in setting up a session or want to browse dates, head over to my booking page :)
