Choosing a location is one of my favorite parts of planning your senior session because it helps set the entire feel of your photos. Whether you’re picturing open fields and golden light, flowers and gardens, rocky riverbanks, or classic Vermont architecture, the location you choose gives us the backdrop for telling your story.
I have a handful of locations I return to again and again because they photograph beautifully and give us plenty of variety throughout a session. Some are tried-and-true favorites, while others are newer additions that I’m excited to offer.
To make choosing a little easier, I’ve put together some of my favorite Vermont senior photo locations, what you can expect to find at each one, and a few things you’ll want to know before deciding.
Shelburne Farms | Shelburne, Vermont
If you want the most variety possible in one senior session, Shelburne Farms is hard to beat. This is one of my most requested locations, and for good reason. We can create completely different looks throughout the property while still having your final gallery feel cohesive.
We typically begin around the Inn, where we have beautiful gardens, brick, white columns, stonework, steps, and the fountain. From there, we can head into the open fields before making our way toward the waterfront, where the lake, rocky shoreline, stone walls, and surrounding landscape give us an entirely different backdrop.
It's a great choice if you can't decide between something polished and something more natural—you can have a little bit of both.
What to Expect
🌿 Gardens & greenery
🏛️ Historic architecture, brick & stone
🌾 Open fields
🌊 Waterfront & rocky shoreline
🌳 Mature trees & walking paths
📸 Lots of variety within one session
COST: $50 photography fee
PETS: Dogs are not permitted; trained service dogs are welcome
BEST TIME: Late spring through fall, especially later in the day for softer, warmer light
GOOD TO KNOW: Shelburne Farms requires an application request for portrait sessions. Because sessions need to be approved based on what's happening at the property, rescheduling can sometimes be tricky—we'll need to make sure Shelburne Farms can accommodate the new date before officially moving your session. Expect some walking throughout the property, and keep in mind that portions of the waterfront have uneven terrain.
OUTFIT FLOW: Want a peek at how I typically plan a senior session around the different areas of the property? See the Shelburne Farms Outfit Guide Here!
Mills Riverside Park | Jericho, Vermont
If you want your senior photos to feel natural, relaxed, and unmistakably Vermont, Mills Riverside Park is one of my favorite choices. It offers tons of variety while keeping that outdoorsy, laid-back feel throughout your gallery.
We can photograph in wide-open grassy fields, along rustic wooden fencing, surrounded by trees, down by the rocky river, and near the pond. Depending on the conditions, we can even get beautiful mountain views in the background.
The river is one of my favorite parts of this location because you can stay completely dry and use the rocks and water as your backdrop—or, if you're feeling a little adventurous, get right into the water! It's a great location if you want plenty of different scenery without anything feeling too formal.
What to Expect
🌾 Open grassy fields
⛰️ Mountain views
🪵 Rustic wooden fencing
🌲 Wooded trails & greenery
🪨 Rocky riverbank & water
🌿 Pond area
✨ Gorgeous golden-hour light
COST: Free
PETS: Dogs are welcome
BEST TIME: Late spring through fall, especially in the evening for that warm, glowy light
GOOD TO KNOW: There is some walking involved at Mills, and once we leave the parking area, we'll carry everything we need with us throughout the session. Comfortable shoes for moving between spots are definitely your friend! The riverbank is rocky and uneven, and getting into the water is always optional.
OUTFIT FLOW: Want to see how I typically plan outfits around the different areas we'll visit during your session? See the Mills Riverside Park Outfit Guide Here!
Wheeler Nature Park | South Burlington, Vermont
If you want your senior photos to feel natural, relaxed, and a little romantic, Wheeler Nature Park is a beautiful option. This is one of my newer senior session locations, but I already love how much variety we can create here without losing that soft, outdoorsy feel.
We can photograph in open grassy areas, along rustic fencing, surrounded by flowers and gardens, underneath huge mature trees, and along the winding boardwalk. The open areas also give us gorgeous light later in the day, making this a great choice if you love warm, glowy senior photos.
What to Expect
🌾 Open fields
🌼 Flowers & garden areas
🌳 Large mature trees
🪵 Rustic wooden fencing
🌿 Boardwalk & walking trails
⛰️ Scenic views
✨ Gorgeous golden-hour light
COST: Free
PETS: Dogs are welcome
BEST TIME: Late spring through fall, especially in the evening for soft, golden light
GOOD TO KNOW: Wheeler is a public nature park with walking trails, so expect some walking as we move between backgrounds. It's one of my newer location offerings, but it already gives us a beautiful mix of fields, flowers, wooded areas, and rustic scenery within one session. The park is open dawn to dusk.
The Flower Farm at Meadowlark Falls | Shelburne, Vermont
If you want your senior photos to feel romantic, colorful, and a little more unique, The Flower Farm at Meadowlark Falls is such a beautiful option. This privately owned flower farm has a more intimate feel than my other locations, with tons of little pockets around the property that give us completely different backgrounds.
We can photograph among the flowers and gardens, underneath the garden archway, along rustic fencing, near the red building, on wooded paths, and around the property's water and stone features. It's especially gorgeous later in the day when the warm light starts filtering through the trees.
What to Expect
🌸 Flowers & gardens
🌿 Garden archways & pathways
🪵 Rustic wooden fencing
❤️ Red building & rustic details
🌳 Wooded paths & greenery
💧 Water & stone features
✨ Beautiful golden-hour light
COST: Free
PETS: Please ask ahead of time
BEST TIME: Late spring through early fall, especially when the gardens are in bloom
GOOD TO KNOW: Meadowlark Falls is private property, so unlike my public locations, we can't simply show up for a session. I'm fortunate to have permission to photograph here, but I'll reach out to the property owner ahead of time to confirm that the farm is available for your session date. Because flowers naturally change throughout the growing season, exactly what's blooming will vary from session to session. The farm also accepts photography-session reservations directly, so advance coordination is part of using the property.
