Every year I get many requests for outdoor photoshoots. Here's a little information about outdoor photos and some outdoor photoshoot options for central Montreal.
Who outdoor photoshoots are for:
- Families who want an outdoor vibe
- Families with young children may want to consider if an evening shoot is right for them. Most outdoor photoshoots take place in the 1-2 hours before sunset. Sunset time is quite late in the spring, it's earlier in the fall.
- Families with flexibility in their schedule. We get a lot of rain and may need to reschedule. If you only have one date you may want to consider something less weather dependent.
- Families who are OK with wind in their hair, rosy cheeks if it's hot or cold out, and possible humidity. If it's really humid, or a little colder or overcast, we still go ahead with the shoot.
Who outdoor photoshoots are not for:
- If you are very careful about how you want to look an outdoor photoshoot may not be for you. We have pretty extreme weather in Montreal, and a temperate, sunny day is rarer than you think. Humidity may cause frizzy hair, heat can cause a bit of a glow and wind can cause hair to be a little wild. If you are not OK with that you may want to consider a studio shoot.
- If you choose a time later in the year and it's cold, consider your children. You may want cute sweaters, but if they are going to freeze and be upset it's probably not worth it.
- If you do not have a lot of flexibility with your dates, you may want to consider a studio session or even in-home. Outdoor sessions are weather dependent and it may need to be moved. If it's 40% chance of rain or less, we usually go ahead.
Please note I often get asked if we can reschedule if it's not sunny. Unfortunately, most of our days in Montreal are overcast and I likely would not do many shoots if I had to wait for a sunny day. We go ahead overcast or sunny.
Location
I live and work in central Montreal. There are many photographers who work in the suburbs or in smaller towns outside Montreal who can offer you beautiful, countryside photos. If this is the vibe you are looking for (true countryside), I'm probably not your best bet as a photographer.
If you live in central Montreal and want something easy and close to home, and are OK with a park or urban space - let's talk!
Having said all that, I am often in Bromont if you are willing to travel there for an outdoor shoot.
What makes a good outdoor photoshoot location?
Very often families want to take photos in the park closest to their home.
Take a look at your park:
Are there areas with thick trees or bushes we can use as a background? Or if I photograph you, am I likely to see parked cars, houses or other people?
Is there any privacy? If not are you OK with that?
Are there multiple areas to shoot for a little variety? If there isn't are you OK with that?
What does the grass look like? Is it mostly mud, or is it well maintained?
A good area is one with some privacy, good variety, maybe some paths, and places where if I photographed you I wouldn't just see cars or houses in the background.
My suggested locations for Central Montreal outdoor photoshoots
I usually suggest two different locations that I've shot in and provide both variety and privacy.
King George Park, Westmount
This is where I do 90% of my outdoor shoots. It's private, there's variety, it's well maintained and there are wonderful features. I recommend you consider this as your session location. I have many examples of sessions that take place here in the blog section of my website.
-parking
-privacy
-well maintained with a lot of variety for different photos
Cons: There aren't a *ton* of trees with leaves that change colour in the fall, although I have done fall photoshoots here.
Angrignon Park
-parking
-lots of paths, trees and a stream/water feature
-a few more people
-not as many structures to sit on - you are either sitting on picnic tables or the ground
-if we are shooting at sunset we will be on the south side of the water feature (as seen below) off de la Verendrye
Other locations:
Lachine Canal in Lachine
I've shot here and it is quite pretty in certain, specific areas where the space is wider and there is a nice mix of trees. We can get some shots in trees and then on rocks overlooking the water.
Lachine Canal around the Atwater Market and around Ville Émard
There is actually not a lot of foliage around the canal. If you are looking for more of an urban vibe, or want to show off where you live and hang out, it works well. Here is a shoot I did nearer the market, and here is a shoot I did closer to Ville Émard.
Westmount Park and the Greenhouse
I often get requests for Westmount Park. It's very pretty, but very busy and depending on the time of the year it starts to look very muddy due to the constant use. I highly recommend King George Park, which is really not that far away, and it's much more private and well maintained.
The greenhouse is unfortunately off limits to photoshoots. Even as a Westmount resident I am not allowed to use it. If you see photos that took place in the greenhouse, they essentially walked past and ignored 3 signs stating that any type of photoshoot is not allowed.
Mont-Royal
Mont-Royal is beautiful but in the fall is extremely busy. Even at 7am there are already people set up to get leaf photos (I've been there). It's hard to get any sort of privacy. If you are up for some photos in the woods and around the lake with people watching you it works.
I've also shot here at other times and it is pretty but unless your coming for a specific reason (it means something to your family, you want a specific view) I recommend King George Park.
Summit Woods
I wish I could recommend Summit Woods as a possible spot, but again it's very busy and honestly all of the foliage is at the very top of the trees way above your head - there are only sparse bushes at head height. Your background is mostly grey logs and fallen branches. There are no real wide open spaces. It sounds good, but I just don't think it's what most people envision for an outdoor shoot.
Old Montreal
Old Montreal as an option is possible, but it's a totally different vibe. If you are interested in this, please consider a mini session. If you need flexibility on dates these are priced differently. You can see pricing here.
NDG Alley
I do mini sessions here a couple times a year. Check here to see if there's anything available.
Bromont, Quebec
We are here many weekends. Enquire if you are in the area. Sometimes this is one of the few places where everyone is assured to be together if you have a country home here.
Loon Lake, Saskatchewan
I'm usually here around 3 weeks every summer, but sunset is LATE (almost 10:00!!!) because it's so north. It could be fun though.
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