Winter Maternity Photo Session Location Feature: Herr Park in Lancaster, PA

If you are a pregnant mama who is expecting a baby in early spring, it means that the best timeframe for having your maternity photos taken is during winter time. I recommend scheduling maternity photos when you are between 28-32 weeks pregnant. Here in Lancaster, PA the colder months are typically November through February. Herr Park is one of my favorite locations for winter photo sessions and I recommend checking it out!

While you may prefer a studio or indoor option such as a greenhouse or your own home, there are also some really lovely outdoor winter photo shoot locations if you’re up for braving the cold and are up for the adventure. Herr Park is one of my favorite winter photo session locations in Lancaster because of the abundance of evergreen trees. In addition it overlooks some fields and farmlands and gets lovely afternoon sunlight.

My tips for planning an outdoor winter maternity photo session are

1. wear layers

2. take breaks to warm up if needed (hop in the car or put on coats)

3. keep moving

4. plan for late afternoon vs early morning when temperatures are a bit higher

5. bring a blanket to sit on or wrap around one another

This beautiful winter maternity photo session took place in early December and we lucked out with an unusually warm day. The couple brought their dog along and I was happy to incorporate him into photos. I love the textures of the evergreens combined with their neutral colored clothing as well as the dried grasses and carpet of rust colored pine needles.

One thing to note: the parking lot for Herr Park is next to a school and it’s about an 8 minute walk to the large evergreen forest from there. There is a paved walking path that is a loop that will take you to the forest. There is also a disc golf course at the park so you have to be aware of that if you’re taking photos inside the large pine tree forest.

If you’d like to see some of my other favorite Lancaster photo shoot locations throughout the seasons, you can check out my list here.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

Fall Family Photo Session at Speedwell Forge Lake in Lititz, PA

There are many reasons why I love photographing families by the water, no matter the season; however, I especially love photo sessions by the water in the fall when the colorful leaves of autumn reflect off the surface and it becomes like a mirror to the sky and surrounding trees. Speedwell Forge Lake (located just north of Lititz) is the perfect location for a fall photo session by the water. In addition to the beautiful lake and boat dock, there is a lovely field that sits up on the hill above the lake that is surrounded by evergreen trees and it gets the most lovely backlight during golden hour. The gravel road leading up to the lake is beautiful in itself when the light hits just right.

I often suggest water locations for families with young kids because it adds an element of curiosity. Children almost always enjoy the opportunity to toss pebbles in the water or see if they can skip stones or spot a minnow or perhaps a duck swimming by. There is a peace and tranquility to the water as well, and for myself, a mermaid at heart, I will often ask kids if they can spot a mermaid out on the water.

This family of five coordinated their outfits perfectly, with a mix of pink, mauve, maroon and neutrals that blended perfectly for an early October photo session when the leaves were just starting to change colors. They also brought along a football for their oldest son to play catch with his dad, one of his favorite activities.

If you are looking for a great location for your fall family photo session that is accessible, beautiful and provides a variety of backdrops, Speedwell Forge Lake is a great choice. As part of each photo session experience, I include an extensive location guide to some of my favorite outdoor places to photograph around Lancaster County. With over 15 years of experience as a Lancaster family photographer, I am more than happy to recommend locations based on what your family might enjoy (and you’ll also receive a questionnaire that helps me get to know you a little and tailor the session to your needs). If you’d like to see a few of my top favorite locations for family sessions in Lancaster, click here.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

How I Create Playful Family Photo Sessions Through Movement and Prompts

If you want to get an idea of what a family photo session might look like when you hire me, check out the photos and list of prompts below. These are some of my favorite ways to create movement during family photo sessions with young children. Most of these are prompts or games you can play. When I’m photographing families, I try to document the movement from various angles as well as up close and far away. I will often have them repeat the actions a couple of times. In my experience, this makes photo sessions playful and fun for everyone (and a good workout for parents too! 😄)

Below you will see various examples from this Lancaster family photo session at Overlook Park that show movement and play. My goal is to make everyone feel at ease by using simple guided actions, which allows both children and parents to feel comfortable and be themselves. For the most part, I allow kids to run the show. If they don’t like my suggestions or don’t want to go along with the prompts, no problem! I try to let the children be the guide and will often ask them for ideas so they can contribute and feel like they have a say in our activities. I may even offer to let them snap a photo or two!

FAVORITE PHOTO SESSION PROMPTS FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS:

1. ring-around-the-rosie

2. superman with mom or dad flying them through the air on their belly

3. swinging variations with parents holding hands and having the child jump and swing or spinning them in a circle

4. london bridge: parents form a bridge with their arms and kids run underneath

5. kid tornado: have kids run around the parents while parents hug in the middle

6. follow the leader: have someone pull everyone in a line

7. airplane pose: have parent lift child in the air above their head or they can lie down on a blanket and lift them

8. blanket hammock or blanket parachute play. Parents hold both sides of the blanket and swish it up in the air while kids run under or use the blanket as a hammock.

9. twirling/dancing together

10. sitting on shoulders

---

RING-AROUND-THE-ROSIE:

This one is a classic. Have everyone hold hands and move around in a circle. Works best for groups of 4 or more.

SUPERMAN

Parent lifts child in the air on their belly so it feels like they are flying. If there is more than one child, parents can each lift a kid and have them fly towards one another. This move can also be done lying down and lifting the child on your knees or with your arms, depending on how heavy they are.

SWINGING:

There are many variations to the swinging prompt but the basic one is where the child stands between both parents and holds their hands and then jumps or swings in the air.

LONDON BRIDGE:

Parents form a bridge with their arms and kids take turns running underneath. For added fun, parents can try to capture the kids as they pass through.

KID TORNADO:

Have parents stand in the center and hug while kids chase one another around the parents in a circle, hence the kid tornado.

FOLLOW THE LEADER:

Have someone pull everyone along in a line holding hands. I love to use this prompt for silhouettes because you can see everyone’s shape perfectly against a big open sky.

AIRPLANE POSE:

Have a parent lift their child in the air and make them fly. Very similar to superman pose, just a different name. Or you can have everyone pretend to be airplanes and ‘fly’ around with their arms out.

BLANKET HAMMOCK OR BLANKET PARACHUTE PLAY:

Parents hold both sides of the blanket and swish it up in the air while kids run under (parachute) or use the blanket as a hammock and have kids sit in the middle while parents gently swing it back and forth.

TWIRLING OR DANCING:

Twirling or do-si-do is always a fun option, especially when you’re wearing a fun twirly dress!

SITTING ON SHOULDERS:

An easy go-to prompt with young children is to put them on your shoulders. It almost always brings a big smile, especially if parents dip up and down as they walk or tilt to the side. I also like to have parents kiss while their little one(s) is on their shoulders or have kids try to kiss their parent.

Want to know how this family felt about their photo session? In her own words, this was what mom had to say upon receiving their photo gallery:

“Melissa, wow wow wow — I have about 75 favorites. I am amazed by what you were able to capture amidst the chaos. The girls’ personalities are shining loud in so many of these photos.” 

It means the world to me to hear when my clients love their photos and I always appreciate every bit of feedback! If you are looking for a fun family photo session experience, I hope you’ll reach out!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

Tea for Two Summer Photo Session in the Rose Garden at Buchanan Park

I absolutely love it when families come to me with an idea or vision for their family photo session. Little Nola was turning 2 and so her mom came up with the idea to have a “tea for two” theme. I knew the rose garden at Buchanan Park in Lancaster City would be a the perfect location. Roses of all colors bloom in this perfectly landscaped rose garden from June to September. The garden is surrounded on one side by tall pine trees where the light hits just right at golden hour. Incorporating a theme or activity into your family photo session with toddlers is always a great idea. I love the photos of the family together sipping their tea on the blanket in the rose garden.

Another favorite location of mine at Buchanan Park is the willow tree that sits just below the hill. We were able to capture some tender moments between mother and daughter under the willow tree to document and remember their bond shared during breastfeeding. It is so magical to wander under the branches that create a big tent above and the golden backlight during this session made it even more ethereal. The hillside also provides the perfect opportunity for a sunset silhouette, as you will see below.

As an added sidenote, I have to give a shout out to Sam Hernandez (mom) for doing such a great job pulling together all of the outfits and props for this tea party session. Her gingham dress and her daughter Nola’s frilly dress fit the occasion perfectly. I have photographed their family several times over the last couple of years and every time they nail their outfits spot on. Also worth noting is that Sam is a professional hair stylist who specializes in curly hair and she is the owner of CRWN’d Salon here in Lancaster so check her out if you’ve got curly hair!

If you are looking for a family photographer to capture some of your favorite things to do together as a family, I hope you’ll reach out! I would love to tell your story in a setting that feels natural and fun. Having a themed photo session also creates a memorable experience for kids and provides more opportunities for genuine expression and play. And if you’re looking for ideas, I’m always happy to help! Depending on the season there are lots of possibilities; picking apples in an orchard, creek stomping, a fall picnic in the park, an evening at the local fair, eating ice cream together at your favorite ice cream shop, roasting marshmallows in the backyard and catching fireflies, carving pumpkins, I could go on and on…

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

Best Lancaster Locations for Family Photos

A golden hour family photo session during the fall at Lancaster County Central Park.

If you are looking for a beautiful outdoor location to have your family photos taken in Lancaster County, here are some of my top favorite spots. These Lancaster photo shoot locations are all easily accessible, free and open to the public. Furry friends are welcome too! All of the parks listed below give children plenty of space to explore and have a variety of backdrops throughout the seasons.

CONSIDER THE SEASON

In addition to logistics, its also important to consider the time of year you’re having your photos taken. The season will determine what you wear and the start time for your session. The location combined with your clothing choices will set the tone and the mood. Are you running through wildflower fields in flowy dresses in summertime? Or layering with warm sweaters and scarves and walking through a colorful fall forest? Also keep in mind that the best start time for golden hour can vary from 4 p.m. in fall to as late as 7 p.m. in the summer. Timing is key for families with young children who have earlier bed times. I am open to early morning sessions, but my preference is always to photograph during evening golden hour.

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

As a seasoned photographer, I know many of these parks like the back of my hand. I know which spots have the best golden hour light (FYI, nearly all of the photos you will see here were taken during golden hour, about 60-90 minutes before sunset). I have a good idea of bloom times in spring for flowering trees and wildflowers in summer as well as peak times for colorful fall foliage. I have also learned to recognize the “no touch plants” like poison ivy and stinging nettle and will make sure we avoid them. If you hire me to take your photos, you will get an even more extensive location guide (with some of my top secret spots in addition).

But before I dive into the list of my favorite Lancaster family photo shoot locations, I need to preface this by saying that I believe it is not the location that makes the photos great but its the people (YOU) and how you interact with one another. In addition to having a skilled photographer (ME!) who understands the importance of light, angles and composition, it is important to bring a positive attitude and just be in the moment with your loved ones. Think of your family photo session as a fun playdate with your friendly camera toting friend rather than something you have to get over with. My job is to make you feel comfortable, give you gentle guidance, and capture the real, unscripted moments that showcase who you truly are as a family. Let’s ditch the stiff poses and let your personalities shine!

And without further ado, here is the list, starting with my top location for a family photo session in Lancaster PA.

---

1. LANCASTER COUNTY PARK

A family walks through a golden field in Lancaster County Park (and don’t forget to check for ticks!)

If I had to choose my number one favorite location of all, it would definitely be Lancaster County Central Park. This park is huge and there is so much variety throughout the seasons. Even during popular photo session times (spring and fall) there is still space for everyone. It has pretty much every type of backdrop you could want; from open fields to evergreen trees to magical forests, creeks and streams. It also has Historic Rock Ford which has a brick mansion with a wrap around porch and a barn (a membership is required to photograph at Rock Ford, which I have). Additional architectural structures that can be found in the park are a covered bridge as well as an old stone house where the Shuts Environmental Library is located. And a personal favorite spot is the Garden of the Five Senses which has a winding path that follows a little stream down to a waterfall. In late May there is a peony patch that blooms here. Below are some examples of family photos taken in Lancaster County Park throughout the seasons.

---

2.OVERLOOK PARK

Another popular location for family photos is Overlook Park. If you go into the pine forest during golden hour in the fall, you are bound to see several photo sessions happening simultaneously. For this reason, I tend to avoid photographing there on weekends during fall. Apart from the unique tall skinny pine forest, Overlook Park has some beautiful fields throughout with long grasses and sweeping vistas. During the summer months there is a native wildflower patch that adds a pop of color. In September the goldenrod flowers bloom in abundance. There are also a couple of ponds, though they can be difficult to capture in photos. There are lots of paved walking paths throughout the park as well which make it easy for strollers and little ones to access as well as heated restrooms in the colder months. One thing to be aware of is that poison ivy abounds in the pine forest, especially during summer and fall.

---

3. Long’s Park

Long’s Park is another favorite photo shoot location in spring, summer and fall. In addition to the pond with the ducks and gazebo, there is a wetlands area and several walking bridges and wildflower patches that bloom in summer. There are some stunning trees around the pond in both spring and fall as well. The main drawback to this park is that it is often crowded and the parking lot goes around the pond so it can be hard to work the angles to avoid parked cars. However it is very accessible and fun for little kids who like to watch the ducks.

---

4. Buchanan Park

Buchanan Park is located in Lancaster City near Franklin and Marshall College and even though it is small, I would argue that it has plenty to offer for a family photo session. The main two highlights of Buchanan Park are the rose garden which blooms May-September and the willow tree that sits just below the perfect silhouette hill. If you are looking for a family silhouette photo, this is the place to do it!

---

5. Greenfield park

Greenfield Business Park is lovely if you like water and willow trees. There are paved walking paths throughout this park as well as some small footbridges and a small creek at the far end that you can wade into if desired. It also has some interesting sculptures throughout. Cons are that it can be crowded with people at times and it sits between lots of buildings and parking lots so the angles can be limited. It has a more manicured landscaped feel with mulch and perfectly trimmed hedges and fountains if that is the vibe you are looking for. As a bonus there is a wildflower field close by that flowers May through July.

---

6. Landis woods park

Landis Woods is a forested location in Manheim Township with some nice easy walking trails through the woods. This location is not stroller friendly but the paths are easy to walk on. I think it is most beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. There is also a wooden fence that runs along one side of the entrance and some more open areas but for the most part this is a forest location where kids can run down paths and climb on logs.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

A Personal Branding Photo Session with Artist, Designer and Illustrator Laura Gandy in Lancaster, PA

I had the incredible opportunity to do a branding photography session for Laura Gandy Creative Studio this past summer and I have been waiting to share these photos. Laura is a very talented artist, designer and illustrator who I have known for years. When she reached out to me asking if I wanted to collaborate on some updated branding photos, I was all in.

Initially we were going to rent a studio space, however after doing some brainstorming, Laura decided that she preferred her home office studio space. I’m so glad we did this! It allowed her to be at home and show a real life behind-the-scenes view of her workspace and her process. She was also able to incorporate many items that were personal to her. A lot of her illustrations and water color paintings reflect her love of plants and florals and we were able to bring those elements into these photographs through the plants in her space, the book of plant illustrations, and fresh florals. Her main goals for her branding photos, aside from capturing her space, was to feature her three areas of expertise: graphic design, illustration, and painting.

Laura also asked me if I would be up for shooting a roll of film and so we were able to capture some film photos in her space as well. If you scroll to the bottom of this post you can view some of my favorites. I shot a roll of Porta 800 speed film with a Canon AE-1 camera (the camera that got me into photography as a young teen more than 25 years ago!). She wanted vintage vibes with a soft, nostalgic feel and so it made sense to have some film images to include in her session.

If you would like to check out some of Laura’s illustration work, you can view her Etsy shop Plumeria Paper Co.

Below are some of my favorite images from the session taken with Porta 800 film and my Canon AE-1 film camera.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

A Spring Blossoms Maternity Photo Session in Lancaster County Park

Lancaster County Park is probably my absolute favorite location to do photo sessions year round, but it especially shines in the spring. My other top spring location is Buchmiller Park because you can find the weeping cherry trees there along with an old magical crab apple tree where the light hits just right at golden hour.

This maternity photo session happened in the first half of April which is typically peak spring for flowering trees. I love the ethereal romantic periwinkle blue dress that Dana wore. I had to make sure to take photos with the sunlight shining through the tulle. If you are thinking about scheduling maternity photos, I recommend planning on somewhere between 28-34 weeks pregnant. Luckily we fit this photo session in just in time because their baby boy ended up arriving early, just a week after these photos were taken!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

A Fall Family Photo Session by the Susquehanna River in Columbia, PA

One of my favorite locations for photo sessions by the water is the Columbia River Park next to the Susquehanna River. The beautiful historic Wrightsville Bridge is a standout feature at this location and the sunlight hits behind it just perfectly at golden hour. Supposedly this bridge is the longest multiple arch concrete bridge in the world!

This family photo session actually took place at two different locations along the Susquehanna River that are about a 7 minute drive apart. While I like the beautiful river vistas with the bridge in the background, there are not a lot of other varied backdrops so I like to combine this location with another spot just up the road. Musselman Vesta Furnace is the easiest spot to put in a GPS and it is technically in Marietta I believe. It offers both field and forest as well as a different perspective on the Susquehanna River.

As you will see in the photos below, by the time we arrived at the second river location the sun had already begun to set and we entered what is known as blue hour. Blue hour is also a magical time but it doesn’t last long before it starts to get too dark for photo taking.

It was a true honor to photograph this family, as Vanessa is a fellow photographer herself and we both happen to be from the same hometown of Chambersburg, PA! Her son absolutely did not want to wear the shirt she had planned for him so we went with his monster truck t-shirt and it all worked out ok. Vanessa is also a former art teacher and told me that she knew she wanted to have some photos taken with my Lensbaby Sol 45 art lens which creates a dreamy blurred edges effect. See if you can spot some of the images below that were taken with that lens!

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---

A Sweet Baby Girl Newborn Session in a Harry Potter Themed Nursery

One of the things I love most about newborn sessions is the chance to see the thought and creativity that parents put into decorating their child’s nursery. This couple is a huge fan of Harry Potter and they were able to incorporate all sorts of unique elements into their daughter’s nursery related to the series. From the accent wallpaper to the owl lamp to the framed artwork on the wall, there are signs of Harry Potter in every corner! I think my favorite part is the book mobile with the Flying Keys or Winged Keys hanging from it. I had a lot of fun taking photos through the hanging keys.

This little lady slept through most of her photo session but she did get hungry so we took a feeding break and I got some photos with her eyes open. I absolutely adore when newborns are completely zonked out after they’ve become milk drunk and they can snuggle up in a little ball in your arms. We even managed to capture a little sleep smile and a huge yawn, which happen to be two of my photo goals for every newborn lifestyle session!

And now for a little honest behind-the-scenes: There was a little mishap on my part during this session when my camera shutter completely stopped functioning. In a frenzy I had to rush home (thankfully just a 15 minute drive) and get my backup camera. This has never happened to me before in my nearly 15 years in business! The family was so patient and understanding and you would have no idea from these photos that we took a little half hour break during the session.

Enjoy the photos below of precious baby girl Rowan in her Harry Potter themed nursery! To all the fans out there, see how many different Harry Potter connections you can find! And if you want to get some Harry Potter themed decor for your own nursery or for yourself, they told me they got quite a few things from Pottery Barn Teen and the Harry Potter Collection is linked here.

Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!

---