I met this sweet family for their family photos at one of my favorite locations in the Owings Mills area, Soldier’s Delight Natural Environmental Area. It’s a location I’ve photographed at many times over the years, and it continues to be one of my favorite spots for family photography.
I remember the first time I came to Soldier’s Delight. My oldest two were still toddlers, and I remember walking through the park and noticing all of the things that make it such a great location for family photos, the open fields, the paths through the woods, the tall grasses, and best of all, the gorgeous light. I was immediately in love with it.
One of the things I love about photographing families at Soldier’s Delight is the variety. You can get completely different looks without having to travel to multiple locations. There are open fields, wooded paths, trails, and areas with beautiful natural light, which makes it easy to create a gallery that feels varied and natural.
When this family contacted me, my schedule was already pretty full, so the earliest I could fit them in was November. That isn’t necessarily a problem for family photos, but November does mean that most of the colorful fall leaves are usually gone. If you’re hoping for the traditional red, orange, and yellow fall foliage, an mid-late October session is generally a better choice.
Fortunately, I have a few favorite locations (including Soldier’s Delight!) that still photograph beautifully after the leaves have fallen. Even without the colorful foliage, there is still plenty to work with. The open landscape, tall grasses, wooded areas, and soft light give the photos plenty of texture and variety. We moved around the park throughout the session and used several different areas, so the final gallery doesn’t feel like it was all photographed in one spot.
After years of photographing families in the Baltimore area, I have a handful of locations that I know well and love to photograph. Soldier’s Delight is one of them. Knowing where the best light falls, which areas work best at different times of year, and how to move a family through a location can make a big difference in the final gallery, and are the reason why hiring an experienced photographer is so important!
This November session was a great reminder that you don’t necessarily need colorful leaves or a picture perfect fall landscape to create beautiful family photos. A great location, beautiful light, and a family willing to have a little fun together are more than enough.
If you’re looking for an Baltimore area family photographers and are considering Soldier’s Delight for your family photos, I would love to photograph your family here!