New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
I take pictures of family and children all over New England.So people always are asking me for ideas of where they can take some pictures of their children. Some people like the beach, others prefer a more earthy area, and some want something “different”. So I created the list below with something for everyone.
Buttonwood Park Zoo is a favorite of mine for taking pictures of children. Though, it does require a membership, if you don’t have one, you can borrow a membership from one of the local libraries. It’s definitely worth it!Whenever, I don’t know what to do with my girls, we go to the zoo. It’s always a treat to see the adorable animals. Depending on what time of a day we go we even sometimes see animal demonstrations. There is plenty of room for the kids to run and it’s all enclosed, so I don’t worry about.
I like taking pictures at the zoo for a few reasons:
A. Kids get comfortable pretty quickly. How can you not when you’re surrounded by animals!
B.There are so many picture opportunities with all of the lovely flowers and shrubbery.
I recommend finding a shady spot to grab your picture. You want to avoid harsh shadows and harsh light.
Fort Taber is another favorite because there are so many different “backgrounds”in one place. You can take photos by the fort itself, on the rocks, the grassy area or even the playground. Plus, there is the pier and also a small beach. The choices are endless!Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to catch gorgeous photos here. Again, you always want to either find a shady area, or pick a time when the sun is low in the sky.
If you’re looking for an urban spot, downtown New Bedford is it! Filled with a rich history, you can grab photos on the cobblestone streets, near the whaling museum or by the Seaman’s Bethel.(Did you know this historic place is mentioned in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick?) Also, there are plenty of brick buildings and places with character to make your photos more interesting.
Another historical area in our great city.The waterfront is beautiful with all of the commercial boats and happenings in the background. Sunset is an amazing time to capture your family photos in front of a gorgeous backdrop.
I grew up going to West Beach in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Though I no longer go swimming there, it holds fond memories. It features gorgeous sunsets, since the sun sets in the West. I also love the decorative tall grasses and the rocks you can walk out on. Even the back of the bath house, with it’s stucco tan wall, makes a great backdrop.
Hazel wood Park, which is right across from West Beach is another fun location. I love taking pictures among the trees. There is a really nice gazebo for picture taking as well. A great play area for your children.
Every now and then, I have some clients that want something really different. I love finding “really different”. It puts my creativity to the test. A particular Halloween loving client was thrilled with the idea of doing a session in a cemetery! I picked Rural cemetery since it offers more than just tombstones in the background of your photos. There are many beautiful trees and cool iron wrought fencing to bring your photos to life.
My biggest suggestion when trying to find new and fun places to take your family photos is to think outside of the box. You really only need a very small area of something pretty or cool to produce a great image. So sometimes the place on a whole, might look unappealing. But if you find one or two areas of interest within that site, that’s all you need.
Abrah Zion, of Miss Z Photography, is an award winning maternity, newborn, baby and child photographer in New Bedford, MA. She serves all over the South Coast and New England with her satisfied clients deriving from New Bedford, South Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Acushnet, Mattapoisett, Marion, Padanaram, Fairhaven, Rochester, Freetown, Lakeville, Westport, Fall River, Somerset, Plymouth, Rhode Island, Cape Cod and Boston.
