It’s spring in Annapolis! The weather is beautiful, the sunshine is glorious, and the trees are showing off every shade of green! The holidays and celebrations taking place are best enjoyed outside with your family. In fact, this is a wonderful opportunity to capture those memories in Annapolis’ most scenic locations. We have a list of cobblestone streets, lush gardens, and panoramic parks for professional photos. They’re the perfect backdrop for your graduating seniors, your little ones growing up so fast, and your romantic moments!

Tips for Great Pics

Local photographer Wendy Hickok has plenty of experience capturing people at their best, even those who aren’t as comfortable in front of a camera. (Full disclosure: Wendy has taken my family’s photos for several years running!) She has some suggestions for being prepared.

“My best advice is to make sure your kids are fed, have had good sleep, and don’t feel uncomfortable in the clothes they are wearing.” Also, expectation-management is key! “Promise something fun after the session without telling them what it is ‘till the session is over. You tell a kid they will get a doughnut after they take a photo…they will want that doughnut after I take one photo.”

And since we’re sharing a list of public spaces, you may be wondering if it will be a little awkward or embarrassing to pose with other people around. Hickok has advice for that, as well. “[B]e open to playing during a photo session…Your kids will feel you being tense and reflect that, so always try to stay as relaxed as possible about it.”

She adds, “Life with kids is such a rollercoaster so photos don’t have to look ‘perfect’…A great photographer can make you feel comfortable no matter where you are.”

And here are a few extra bits of advice:

Smile! Sure, there are plenty of us who might think we look better trying to pull off Blue Steel, but a big smile looks beautiful on everyone!
Play! As Hickok said, playing can bring out the fun. Tickle and chase your littles. Have your grad talk about their favorite subject. Tell your spouse a dumb joke that will get them giggling. And let your kids take a few pictures with silly faces. You know they want to!
Breathe! Taking big, deep breaths will help you relax. This is also a great technique if you find yourself shivering from a chill—a couple of deep breaths will help you settle.

Before we get into the roundup, let me share a few places that may not work best. Thomas Point Park is worth a visit for its beautiful views at the tip of the peninsula, but it may not be ideal for photos. The gravel road has plenty of potholes, and on our recent trip, the walk from the parking area to the point was muddy…not ideal for anyone in nice shoes.

And while I’ve heard that both Bacon Ridge Natural Area and Piney Orchard Nature Preserve might be good options, I found Bacon Ridge to be too buggy and Piney Orchard’s parking lot is only for community residents.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the list!

Scenic Spots

Downtown Annapolis Streets

Murals in Downtown Annapolis, such as the Wisteria Mural on Fleet Street, make perfect backdrops.

The Chancery Lane steps, with the State House in the background, is an Annapolis treasure.
Narrow alleys off of Main Street make great photo spots.

Just an hour of walking around Downtown Annapolis provides many colorful backgrounds with small-town character. City Dock may be under construction, but you can still walk along the water and have photos with impressive sailboats and yachts behind you. Some streets where you can find a place to pose include Fleet Street, Pinkney Street, West Street, and Maryland Avenue. Main Street might be a bit busy with people, but it has narrow alleys that provide framing for a single person or small group. Even the Visitors Center on West Street is a photogenic blue, next to a small park where the lampposts kindly hold umbrellas. And while you’re all dressed up, go have some dinner and ice cream after your session.

Address: 1 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Days/Times: All day, every day.
Cost: Free.
Parking: Street parking for 2 or 3 hours is available. Download the ParkMobile app to see where to park and when. If you want to be there for longer, downtown garages are also available, which you can learn more about on Annapolis Parking’s website. And there is the option of free street parking in Eastport, or Annapolis City Marina pay lot.

Historic London Town & Gardens

This museum in Edgewater has everything for your photos: verdant gardens, picturesque trails, historic buildings, and water views. The William Brown House’s rich color and clean lines allow it to become an interesting focal piece alongside you. And the green hills are a blast for kids to run down! (We had family photos done here!) For this location, you or your photographer will need to submit a request online.

Address: 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD 21037
Days/Times: Photo sessions are charged per two-hour block. During museum hours, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM. And after-hours sessions, offered Tuesdays to Saturdays between 4 PM and 8 PM.
Cost: During museum hours, $125 for groups of 1 to 5 people, $175 for groups of 6 to 9 people, and $250 for groups of 10 or more. Groups over 10 require special approval. After-hours sessions are $300 per two-hour block.
Parking: Free gravel lot on the grounds.

Jonas and Anne Catherine Green Park

This small beach park right on the Severn River may be directly under the Naval Academy Bridge, but it’s a peaceful escape. Cozy up on a bench with your significant other or your little ones. Relax and enjoy the view while your photographer snaps their photos. Then see what shells and rocks you can find in the sand. There is no wading or swimming allowed, so there will only be deep blue water as a backdrop. But you will need a permit, as this is an Anne Arundel County park.

Address: 2001 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21409
Days/Times: April 1 to September 30, open 7 days a week from 6:30 AM to the posted closing time but not later than 8:30 PM. (The entrance gate closes 1/2 hour before the posted closing time.)
Cost: Free.
Parking: Free, though the lot is fairly small. There is another lot for monthly pass holders only.

Kinder Farm Park

One of the most fun parks on any day, Kinder Farm Park is great for families with little animal lovers. There are huge, green fields and hills, a lake with wildlife, and plenty of walking trails for exploration. And the barns will add a rustic element for a touch of rural charm. A permit is required, so contact the Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Parks.

Address: 1001 Kinder Farm Park Road, Millersville, MD 21108
Days/Times: Open 7 days a week, 7 AM to dusk.
Cost: $8 per vehicle.
Parking: Two large lots, and even on very busy days you should be able to find a spot.

Quiet Waters Park

This large park is a popular location for weddings and photos, and once you visit, you’ll understand why. There’s a calm pond with turtles to see, a butterfly garden, and a charming bridge that leads right to a gazebo. And the beach on the South River will allow your family to play around and get some real smiles in those photos. Just be sure to get a permit from Anne Arundel County Parks.

Address: 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis, MD 21403
Days/Times: Open 7 days a week, from 7 AM to dusk.
Cost: $8 per vehicle.
Parking: There are several lots throughout the park.

Sandy Point State Park

Sandy Point will always represent fun in Annapolis: swimming, building sandcastles, crabbing, and exploring. You can go with a classic look of family photos on the beach, with the bright sunshine reflecting off of the water. Or you can go onto the trails to have your pictures framed by trees and tall grasses. Then when the last photo is taken, let your kids have fun at the playground!

Address: 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21409
Days/Times: Every day, 7 AM to sunset. (Except Christmas Day.)
Cost: From May 1 to September 30, weekends and holidays, $5/person. Weekdays, $4/person. Advance reservations are required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day to enter the park.
Parking: Plenty of parking at Sandy Point…as long as it’s not a very busy, popular day!

The Maryland State House

An ideal spot for Annapolis families to show their hometown love, the grounds of the Maryland State House are both scenic and historic. The lawn is expansive with plenty of trees for shade. But please note: according to their guidelines, the State House Trust does not allow bridal or wedding photography inside the building or on the steps. It is permitted on the lawn as long as you are not interfering with pedestrian traffic on the walkways. An experienced Annapolis photographer will know what’s best.

Address: 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
Days/Times: The building is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. The lawn is available during the day.
Cost: Free.
Parking: Street parking on State Circle is reserved. You can park nearby on other streets, including College Avenue and King George Street for a maximum of 2 or 3 hours depending on the zone. (Be sure to download the ParkMobile app.) The closest garages are Mills-Hillman and Calvert Street. Calvert is only available to non-monthly parkers after 6 PM on weekdays or all day on weekends (but then it’s free).

William Paca Garden

A picture on these steps would make a wonderful holiday card!
The Paca Garden has several areas for photos.
The peaceful oasis of the William Paca Garden is a popular location for photo shoots.

This lush location is an oasis in downtown Annapolis. Even after seeing the stately Georgian mansion, the gardens are much more extensive than you’d expect! There are tall, protective hedges on either side of impeccable paths winding through the yard. There’s even a small bridge over a peaceful pond dotted with lily pads. You need to reserve the space for photography, but it would be well worth it.

Address: 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Days/Times: Sunday to Wednesday, noon to 4 PM (last appointment, 3 PM) between April 1 and November 30.
Cost: A one-hour session costs $50 for parties of 5 or less with one photographer and $125 for parties of 6 to 12 with one photographer.
Parking: Street parking is available. Prince George Street is one-way going northwest. King George Street, one block north of Prince George, is two-way. Both are in zone 8901 on the ParkMobile app. The closest garages are Mills-Hillman and Calvert Street. Calvert is only available to non-monthly parkers after 6 PM on weekdays or all day on weekends (but then it’s free).

There is no shortage of beautiful locations in our gorgeous town. There’s charm, character, history, and style all around us. So gather your loved ones, put on your best smile, and visit one of these locations to make some memories!