SCOTSDALE FARM
Location: Georgetown, Ontario
Features: A picturesque tree tunnel, vast open fields, a white farmhouse with a stone wall, a chapel, a creek, a charming well, and lush greenery.
Why I Love It: Scotsdale Farm is one of my all-time favorite locations, offering endless opportunities for creativity. It’s a stunning spot year-round, and I’ve been returning here since I first started photography. If you’re looking for a beautiful, versatile location, this is the place!
Permit: No permit required, though donations are appreciated to help maintain the site.
Cedarvale Park & Trail
Location: Georgetown, Ontario
Features: A 16-hectare community park with mature trees, a winding river, and a newly added boardwalk. In August, wildflowers bloom along the pathways, and a carnival fair adds a festive touch.
Why I Love It: Cedarvale Park’s combination of open spaces, mature trees, and a scenic river makes it perfect for families, couples, and grad photos. The carnival fair in late summer is especially fun for grads!
Permit: No permit required. Parking is free.
Hungry Hollow
Location: Georgetown, Ontario
Features: A quiet trail through Hungry Hollow Ravine along Silver Creek, with marshes, boardwalks, and mature trees.
Why I Love It: This peaceful trail is ideal for intimate, natural photos. The soft light during the morning or golden hour adds a magical touch to your images. It’s less ideal in the afternoon when the sun becomes harsh, so I recommend shooting earlier or later in the day.
Permit: No permit required. Free parking at Cedarvale or Living Hope Church nearby.
Dominion Gardens Park
Location: Georgetown, Ontario
Features: A 1.8-acre public garden with formal gardens, winding paths, a dry stone riverbed, a pond, and a gazebo surrounded by seasonal flowers.
Why I Love It: I love the serene atmosphere here, especially during the early morning or evening when the light is soft and the wildlife is active. It’s a peaceful, beautiful spot with stunning seasonal blooms.
Permit: No permit required. Parking available at the entrance.
Andrews Scenic Acres Farm & Winery
Location: Milton, Ontario
Features: A large farm offering pick-your-own fruit, flowers, vegetables, tractor rides, and a straw maze.
Why I Love It: This farm has a special place in my heart. Late evening sessions are stunning here, and the sunflower field in late summer and the dahlia field in fall create perfect photo opportunities. It’s also a great spot for families, especially if they love farm animals.
Permit: Yes. Admission fee
Kelso Conservation (Main Entrance)
Location: Milton, Ontario
Features: A small beach, boardwalks, and scenic trails.
Why I Love It: Kelso’s serene beach and quiet atmosphere make it a great spot for early morning sessions. The boardwalk leading to the beach is particularly beautiful. It’s a wonderful place to combine a photoshoot with a relaxing picnic afterward.
Permit: No permit required, but an entrance fee and reservation for parking are needed.
Prospect Park
Location: Acton, Ontario
Features: A quiet lake with a dock, paddleboat rentals nearby, and natural open spaces.
Why I Love It: Fairy Lake is a hidden gem with a peaceful, private feel. It’s perfect for a calm and relaxing photoshoot. The quiet atmosphere and lake views create a serene backdrop for beautiful images.
Permit: No permit required. Parking is available at Prospect Park (Acton Fairgrounds).
Rockwood Conservation Area
Location: Rockwood, Ontario
Features: A beach area, caves, waterfalls, hiking trails, and forested sections with an overlook of the conservation area.
Why I Love It: Rockwood is perfect for nature lovers. The caves, water features, and forests provide a stunning backdrop for photos. The area also has hiking trails, which can add an adventurous element to your shoot.
Permit: No permit required. Parking is a separate fee.
Stonewall Farm
Location: Erin, Ontario
Features: A beautiful lavender farm located 17 minutes from Georgetown.
Why I Love It: Stonewall Farm is a dream, especially for early morning or late evening sessions. The lavender fields are stunning, and on overcast or rainy days, the soft light makes for breathtaking photos.
Permit: Yes.
Caledon Trail
Location: Caledon, Ontario
Features: A 200 km-long glacial ridge with rolling hills, sandy plains, kettle lakes, wetlands, and woodlands featuring eastern white cedar, sugar maple, and white ash. Side trails lead to meadows, wetlands, and hidden kettle lakes.
Why I Love It: The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail feels like a true adventure through Ontario’s natural history. The landscape shifts from hilltops to lush valleys, offering peaceful forest walks and wide-open views. I especially love the variety—one moment you're under a canopy of sugar maples, the next you're by a quiet kettle lake or crossing a meadow filled with wildflowers. It’s perfect for long hikes or quick escapes into nature.
Permit: No permit required. Free parking lot by trail access point.
KARIYA Park
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Features: Traditional Japanese garden with cherry blossoms (peak bloom in early May), Japanese pavilion, bridges, ponds, and cultural landmarks like the Friendship Bell and Statue of Friendship.
Why I Love It: Kariya Park is a peaceful escape right in the city, designed to reflect the essence of Japanese culture and the friendship between Mississauga and its sister city, Kariya, Japan. The cherry blossoms are the main attraction in early May, but the park offers beauty year-round with Japanese maple trees, sweet gums, gingkos, forsythia, and ever-changing seasonal blooms. The traditional Japanese pavilion, bridges, and photo-worthy views over the pond make it a serene spot to explore, especially during golden hour when the light hits just right.
Permit: No permit required. Not sure about parking.
Jack Darling or Richards Memorial Park
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Features: A quiet beach, best visited early in the morning for the best lighting.
Why I Love It: The peaceful atmosphere in the morning makes it feel like a private beach. It’s the perfect location for serene, intimate photos.
Permit: No permit required. Free public beach with nearby parking.
Lion Valley Park
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Features: Sixteen Mile Creek and scenic trails.
Why I Love It: This park is a hidden treasure, especially during fall when the foliage is vibrant. The trails and creek provide a beautiful natural backdrop for any photoshoot.
Permit: No permit required.
Kerncliff Park
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Features: Stone cliffs, winding boardwalks, and marshy trails.
Why I Love It: Kerncliff Park is my go-to spot for fall sessions. The colors are stunning, and the park offers a variety of scenic locations, including forested areas, cliffs, and marshes.
Permit: No permit required, but parking can be limited on weekends.
Paletta Mansion
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Features: A historic mansion, tree-lined paths, flower-filled gardens, a creek, and a lakefront area.
Why I Love It: Paletta Mansion is a versatile location with so many beautiful areas for photos. It’s a favorite spot for both family shoots and couples, and the expansive grounds offer plenty of options. It’s also a place I visit often with my family, and the kids love playing by the creek.
Permit: No permit required.
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Features: Canada’s largest botanical garden, featuring 1,100 hectares of protected nature sanctuary and five main garden areas—Hendrie Park, RBG Centre (with the Mediterranean Garden conservatory), The Arboretum, Laking Garden, and the Rock Garden. Highlights include 27 km of nature trails, historic plant collections, a stunning lilac collection, and cherry blossoms in full bloom in the arboretum early May.
Why I Love It: The Royal Botanical Gardens is a perfect blend of natural beauty and thoughtful design. Whether you’re strolling through the peaceful Rock Garden or catching the cherry blossoms at their peak in Hendrie Park, there’s always a moment that feels magical. I especially love visiting The Arboretum in spring when the lilac bushes are in full bloom—it smells amazing and looks like something out of a painting.
Permit: Parking fee required for formal garden areas.
Guelph Arboretum
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Features: University arboretum with various nature trails through 400 acres of gardens, woodlands & meadows, lilac bushes.
Why I Love It: University arboretum with various nature trails through 400 acres of gardens, woodlands & meadows, lilac bushes. Pure perfection all year round.
Permit: No permit required, but there are entrance fees and parking charges.
Centennial Park
Location: Dundas, Ontario
Features: A large field with 37 scattered japanese cherry blossoms (End of April-Early May).
Why I Love It: The light at Centennial park is absolutely breathtaking, especially during early morning or late evening. The open field and pink canopy of cherry blossom views create a mesmerizing light contrast atmosphere for your photos.
Permit: No permit required, not sure about parking.
Dundurn Castle
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Features: An Italian-style mansion with stone walls, big pillars, a chapel, and extensive grounds.
Why I Love It: Dundurn Castle offers a variety of backdrops, from stone walls to manicured gardens. It’s perfect for any time of day, and the neutral exterior makes it great for natural light reflection. Fall colors here are also spectacular.
Permit: No permit required.
Princess Point
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Features: A large field with tall grass, winding paths, tall trees, and lake views.
Why I Love It: The light at Princess Point is absolutely magical, especially during sunset. The open field and lakeside views create a breathtakingly beautiful atmosphere for your photos.
Permit: No permit required, but parking is paid.
