Where to have your family photographs in York and when

York is such a welcoming city, with rich history, culture, and beautiful parks, making it a picturesque place to visit. It’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice for a city break and for creating new memories as a family.

As a York girl, I’ve come to know not just the well-known locations, but also how they change through the seasons and when they work best for photographs. York offers something different at every time of year, which is what makes having family holiday photographs in York is so worthwhile.

There are so many locations that work well depending on the feel you’re looking for. For relaxed, family-focused sessions, York Museum Gardens is a favourite of mine. It offers plenty of space for children to explore, along with natural backdrops that stay green year-round, as well as the historic abbey ruins within the gardens. York Minster is just a short walk away, making it easy to include as a second location within a session. Most of the family sessions I offer are planned between 30 minutes and an hour, which allows time to move between nearby spots without anything feeling rushed. A little outside the city centre, Homestead Park is another great option, particularly in spring for the blossom, and through to autumn thanks to its mix of trees and well-kept flowerbeds.

A family session that will always stay with me was capturing Anna and her family in York Museum Gardens and outside York Minster. I’ve been photographing her family for years, including christenings, birthdays, and family gatherings, so when Anna got in touch to say her parents were visiting from Brazil, I knew her sunset session would be something special. There’s something incredibly meaningful about bringing three generations together in one place to take the time to capture those shared memories. Sessions like this often become the most memorable, simply because of who is there and the moment in time they represent.

When planning family holiday photographs in York, timing is an important consideration as the city can get busy. Early mornings in the centre work best—particularly around The Shambles and York Minster—before the streets fill with visitors. For locations such as the Museum Gardens and Homestead Park, just before closing is often ideal, when the light softens and the atmosphere becomes quieter.

Top locations for family holiday photographs in York

Spring
York Museum Gardens and Homestead Park are particularly beautiful in spring, with daffodils, tulips, and cherry blossoms coming into bloom. For a quieter, more natural setting, the woodlands around Howsham Hall are ideal, and in May the bluebells create a beautiful seasonal backdrop.

Summer
Castle Howard and nearby Ray Wood are known for their rhododendrons from late April through May, adding rich colour to sessions. The walled gardens are especially family-friendly, with accessible paths, low-level flower beds, and open grassy areas where children can move freely. Back in York, the Museum Gardens remain a reliable choice, with shaded areas and summer planting that creates soft, dappled light. For something more coastal, sessions near Sandsend or Whitby offer a different feel, with open skies, natural textures, and plenty of space to explore.

Autumn
The arboretum at Castle Howard is a standout location in autumn, with a wide variety of trees that create warm, golden tones and a natural backdrop that changes throughout the day.

Winter
In the colder months, York takes on a quieter feel. The Shambles is particularly atmospheric early on a Sunday morning (around 9am), when it’s less crowded but still carries a festive character. York Museum Gardens also works well in winter, with evergreen planting providing colour and structure even in the colder months.

As a York-based family photographer, I use this local knowledge to help plan sessions that feel relaxed and well-timed, whether staying within the city or heading further afield to places like the North York Moors or along the coast. Each location offers something different, but the focus is always on keeping things simple and centred around your family. The result is a collection of portraits which reflect your family and give you lasting memories of your city break in York.

If you’re ready to plan your family photography session in and around York, I’d love to chat more. To check my availability and plan your perfect session, enquire here.