One of the most common questions I get is where we should actually go. And I love it, because the location really does shape the whole feel of a session.
I'll always help you choose somewhere that suits your family — you don't need to have this figured out before you book. But if you're curious what I tend to reach for, here are the spots I keep coming back to.
At Your Place
This one surprises people, but some of my favourite family sessions have happened at home.
There's something about photographing a family in the place they actually live: the backyard, the kitchen table, the couch where the kids pile on top of each other. It's relaxed in a way that's hard to manufacture elsewhere. Kids are comfortable. Nobody has to drive anywhere. The chaos is familiar and that tends to make for genuine moments rather than posed ones.
If you have a garden, a nice wall, a bit of open space, your home is probably a better location than you think. I've made images I'm really proud of in ordinary suburban backyards. The location matters less than you'd expect when the light is good and the family is relaxed.
Trevallyn Reserve
This is one I genuinely love. The light through the eucalypts at the right time of day is soft and warm and there's a looseness to bush sessions that suits families really well. Kids forget they're being photographed because there are too many interesting things to look at and explore.
It's not manicured. It doesn't look like every other family session you've seen. I think that's a good thing.
Trevallyn works especially well for families who want something natural and unposed. The bush environment does a lot of the directing for me — there's always somewhere interesting to walk, something for the kids to climb on, a patch of light filtering through the trees. I tend to move through a few different spots within the reserve during a session, which keeps things fresh and gives the gallery some variety.
Hadspen and the South Esk Surrounds
I grew up out this way, so I'll admit there's personal bias here. But the farmland and paddocks around Hadspen just photograph beautifully. Open space, old fences, big gum trees, that wide Tasmanian sky. It has a quiet, honest quality that I love.
Worth the short drive if you want something that feels a bit different from a park session. The wide open space means kids can run, the landscape does a lot of the work for you, and at golden hour the light across the paddocks has a warmth that's hard to find anywhere closer to town.
The Tamar Valley
When families want something more expansive, the Tamar Valley delivers. Rolling hills, that wide open valley feel, big sky. At golden hour the light across the river and the surrounding land can be really something.
Good for families who want a bit of room to breathe and something that feels genuinely Tasmanian.
Beaches
For a completely different feel — open, breezy, a bit wild — the beaches around Low Head are worth the drive. Kids at the beach are natural in front of a camera because they're too busy finding shells and chasing waves to think about being photographed.
The light out there on a good afternoon can be beautiful. Just one to plan for rather than be spontaneous about.
Beach sessions have an energy all of their own. There's movement, there's noise, there's something for everyone to do. That freedom tends to produce photos that look genuinely alive. I'd suggest dressing for the beach rather than for a formal session — bare feet, linen, light fabrics. Let the location do what it does.
Cataract Gorge and City Park
These are Launceston's most recognisable spots, and they're popular for good reason. They're central, familiar, and easy. The Gorge has the river and the gardens and plenty of space; City Park has beautiful old trees and good light in the morning.
I wouldn't reach for these first, but they're solid choices if you want somewhere convenient. The Gorge in particular has a lot of variety within a small area — you can move between the gardens, the suspension bridge, the river banks, and the lawns without covering much ground. Good for families with very young children who don't want to travel far.
How We Choose
When you get in touch, I'll ask a few questions before we settle on a location. What kind of feel are you after? Do the kids need somewhere they can run around, or are they old enough to be a bit more settled? How far are you happy to drive? Is there somewhere that means something to your family?
The answers usually point to one or two options pretty clearly. Sometimes families come in with a spot in mind and it's perfect. Sometimes I suggest something they'd never considered and it turns out to be their favourite. Either way, we figure it out together — you're not left to make the call on your own.
Here's the thing about locations: the right spot matters, but it's not the most important part. The light matters more. The way your family are with each other matters most of all. I've made photos I'm really proud of in car parks and backyards, and I've had sessions at beautiful locations that didn't quite come together.
When you book, we'll figure out the location together. I'll ask what kind of feel you're after, and go from there.
— Milly