Best Family Photo Locations for fall in Anne Arundel County (Annapolis, Pasadena & Baltimore Area)

Sep 2 2026 | By: Amanda Gargano Photography

Best Family Photo Locations for fall in Anne Arundel County (Annapolis, Pasadena & Baltimore Area)

Smiling woman in a black hat taking a photo with a camera outdoors at sunset during an Annapolis fall family photography session.
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Okay friend, let's talk fall family photos — because I know you've already got the group text going with "what are we all wearing" energy and zero idea where you're actually going to stand for these pictures.

 

Good news: you live in one of the prettiest corners of Maryland for it. I've spent over a decade photographing families all over Anne Arundel County, and I've got opinions (lots of them, ask my husband) about where the light hits best, where the crowds are worst, and where you'll actually want to hang the photos on your wall afterward. Here are my go-to spots.

Kinder Farm Park

This one's a classic for a reason. Open fields, big beautiful trees, and enough space that your kids can actually run around between shots instead of standing there like they're being held hostage. It's dreamy in fall when the leaves start turning, and there's enough variety that we're never stuck with just one backdrop.

Two young girls standing in a field of flowers, one wearing a floral headband during a Baltimore fall family photography session..
Toddler girl in a navy dress standing in a flower garden with red and white blooms during an Annapolis fall family photography session during an Annapolis fall family photography session..

Fort Smallwood Park

Right here in Pasadena, Fort Smallwood gives you water, rocky shoreline, and a little bit of that moody coastal Maryland feel. If you want photos that feel a little different from the typical "family standing in a field" shot, this is it.

Couple holding hands and spinning in a park at sunset with autumn leaves falling during a DC fall family photography session.
Woman in a floral dress standing in a garden near a body of water at sunset during a Severna Park fall family photography session.
Three women and a child standing together on a beach at sunset during a family photography session at Fort Smallwood Park in Pasadena, MD.
Family portrait of a man, woman, and child sitting together outdoors at sunset during a family photography session at Fort Smallwood Park in Pasadena, MD.
Family of four posing on a sandy path at sunset, with trees and warm golden light in the background during a family photography session at Fort Smallwood Park in Pasadena, MD..
Two women sitting in a grassy field, smiling and holding hands at sunset during a family photography session at Fort Smallwood Park in Pasadena, MD.

Sandy Point State Park

Water, trees, and that gorgeous beach backdrop all in one place. Sandy Point is one of my favorites for fall specifically because the tree line reflecting on the water is *chef's kiss* when the colors are peaking. Just plan around sunset for the best light.

Young boy standing in front of family with pumpkins in an autumn field during a family photography session at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD.
Family of four posing outdoors in fall with pumpkins and autumn foliage during a family photography session at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD.
Woman and child sitting outdoors on a path with pumpkins and autumn trees in fall colors during a family photography session at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD.
Family of eight posing on a beach at sunset, wearing coordinated light clothing during a family photography session at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD..
Young girl in a white dress walking along a soft beach at sunset during a family photography session at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD.
Woman in a blue dress standing by a sailboat at sunset on a rocky shore during a family photography session at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD.
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Someone's Backyard (Seriously!)

Truly one of the most underrated options — if you or a friend or family member has a gorgeous property with mature trees, and especially any water nearby, that's private, quiet, and totally yours for the evening. No crowds, no permits, no random strangers wandering into your shot. Sometimes the best location is the one nobody else is using.  I took all of these on a client's private property.

Three children lying on autumn leaves in a forest, playing together in warm golden light during a family photography session near Annapolis, MD..
Toddler sitting on a dark floor with glowing orange leaves floating around them. during a family photography session near Annapolis, MD..
Three children walking hand in hand through an autumn forest, wearing colorful sweaters during a family photography session near Annapolis, MD...
Three children walking hand in hand in a field at sunset, with two older boys and a younger child in the center during a family photography session near Annapolis, MD..
Couple kneeling and kissing a child in a colorful autumn park during a family photography session near Annapolis, MD..

Quiet Waters Park (Annapolis)

If you're closer to Annapolis, Quiet Waters is a gorgeous alternative with wooded trails and a more polished, park-like feel — great if you want something a little more manicured for the wall portrait.

Couple crouching with a dog in a sunlit autumn park during a family photography session at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD..
Yellow Labrador retriever wearing a blue bandana sitting outdoors in warm sunset light during a photography session at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD.
Couple embracing under a blooming tree in a park at sunset during a family photography session at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD.
Two people sitting in a white gazebo at sunset in a park during a family photography session at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD..
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Savage Mills

Gorgeous industrial vibes with a beautiful running river with tons of fall foliage, rocks, leaves, and so much more.  This is def a fav spot for me!

Young girl in a pink dress holding a yellow leaf in a glowing autumn forest during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.
Two young girls in dresses talking in an autumn forest with warm golden light during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.
Two young boys sitting together in a warm autumn forest, playing with leaves on the ground during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.
Woman in a floral dress and flower crown balancing on one leg near a river, holding a bubble wand during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.
Deer and young girl facing each other on a wooded path with autumn foliage. during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.
Two young girls in colorful dresses leaning in for a kiss outdoors in warm autumn light during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.
Young girl in a white dress holding autumn leaves against a blurred orange and green background during a family photography session at Savage Mills in Savage, MD.

A Note on Pumpkin Patches & Apple Orchards

I know, I know — they're everywhere on Pinterest. And they *can* be beautiful. But most farms only allow photo sessions during early morning hours, which usually means missing out on that warm, golden sunset glow that makes fall portraits feel magical. If a specific patch or orchard is a must-have for you, just know we may be working with different light than you're picturing — and I'll help you plan around it.

Or... Skip the Weather Entirely

Here's my secret weapon: my private studio right in Pasadena, MD — a quick hop, skip, and a jump from Annapolis, Baltimore, or even DC. Inside, we can bring fall to you: warm branches, cozy autumn tones, and styling that captures that same golden-hour feeling, minus the humidity, the bugs, or the surprise rain delay.

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Four women posing in cream outfits against a beige studio backdrop during a family photography session at Amanda Gargano Photography in Pasadena, MD.
Smiling family of three posing together in a studio against a brown backdrop during a family photography session at Amanda Gargano Photography in Pasadena, MD.
Woman holding a child, both wearing sheer white fabric and gold halos against a warm brown background. during a family photography session at Amanda Gargano Photography in Pasadena, MD.
Pregnant woman in a white dress standing in a warm-toned studio with tall dried grasses and vases during a family photography session at Amanda Gargano Photography in Pasadena, MD.

You'll also have access to my client closet, stocked with over 250 pieces, so "what do we wear" stress becomes a fun part of the process instead of a fight the morning of your session. Between that and over 10 years of experience styling and guiding families in front of the camera, my goal is simple: you show up, and I handle the rest.

 

Wherever we shoot — sunset field, shoreline, or my studio — the goal is always the same: real, warm, *you* photos that you'll actually want to print and hang up.

 

**Ready to book your fall family session?** Contact Me and let's pick the perfect spot together.

Book Your Fall Family Session
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Amanda@amandagarganophotography.com
Amanda@amandagarganophotography.com
Amanda@amandagarganophotography.com