One of the first questions families ask me after booking is:
“Where should we have our photos taken?”
The truth is, there isn’t one perfect location.
The best place for your family depends on the season, your children’s ages, whether you’d love to include your dog, how far you’re happy to walk, and the overall feeling you want your photographs to have.
After photographing families throughout Hawke’s Bay for years, these are the locations I return to again and again. Each has its own personality, and each creates a completely different story.
Whether you’re dreaming of windswept beaches, rolling hills, golden grass or peaceful parkland, I help every family choose the location that feels most like them.
Te Mata Peak
If you’re looking for breathtaking views, it’s hard to beat Te Mata Peak.
Golden light spills across the hills at sunset, creating an incredible backdrop that feels expansive and timeless. It’s one of my favourite locations for adventurous families who don’t mind a short walk in exchange for spectacular scenery.
Perfect for:
Couples
Families
Maternity sessions
Good to know:
- ✔ Incredible panoramic views
- ✔ Dog friendly
- ✔ Stunning sunsets
- ✘ Uneven walking track
- ✘ Not recommended for those with mobility concerns
- ✘ Young children need close supervision
- Public walking track, so hikers may pass during your session
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach feels wild, relaxed and beautifully natural.
From sweeping sand dunes to the lagoon and gentle surf, children absolutely love exploring here. It’s especially wonderful for extended family sessions because there’s so much space for everyone to spread out.
During summer, the bunnytail grasses create another beautiful backdrop before we even reach the beach.
Perfect for:
Extended family sessions (this is my favourite spot in Hawkes Bay for sessions with lots of people!)
Large families
Adventurous children
Good to know:
Usually easy to find a quiet area despite being a public beach
✔ Dog friendly
✔ Sand dunes, lagoon and shallow water
✔ Incredible sunsets
✔ Bunnytails in summer
Short 2–3 minute walk from the car park
Earlier session times (around 1.5 hours before sunset)
Waipatiki Beach
Waipatiki is one of Hawke’s Bay’s hidden gems.
It offers a little bit of everything—beautiful sand dunes, interesting rock formations, gentle water for children to explore, and gorgeous golden light in the evening.
It feels wonderfully peaceful, especially during winter weekdays
Perfect for:
Relaxed sunset sessions
Families with adventurous children
Good to know:
Usually very quiet outside peak holiday periods
✔ Dog friendly
✔ Sand dunes and rock formations
✔ Bunnytails during summer
Earlier session times (around 2 hours before sunset)
Short walk from the car park
Whakamaharatanga Walkway, Bay View
This location gives families two completely different looks in one session.
The lower paddock is flat, safe and fully fenced—perfect for toddlers, grandparents or anyone wanting easy access.
For those happy to climb a little higher, the hill rewards you with sweeping views across the coastline and surrounding hills. This is a session that is commonly used as the set location for the sunset minis
Perfect for:
Winter sunset sessions
Families with young children
Good to know:
Dogs are not permitted
Two distinct locations
Lower paddock is mobility friendly
Fully fenced paddock ideal for little ones
Hill location requires a short but steep climb
Amazing coastal views
Usually quiet and private
Grassy Paddock Near Napier Airport
Simple. Open. Golden.
This location is all about beautiful light and long grasses.
During summer, the bunnytails create an incredibly soft, dreamy backdrop that’s perfect for families wanting a relaxed countryside feel. This location is also used for sunset minis!
Good to know:
- Mobility friendly
- Just one minute from the car
- Amazing bunnytails during summer
- Great for young children
- Usually very quiet
- Dogs not permitted
The Rockface at Whirinaki Beach
For families wanting something dramatic, this location is unforgettable.
The black sand, rugged cliffs and crashing waves create striking images that feel completely different from anywhere else in Hawke’s Bay.
Because of the terrain, this location is best suited to older children and adults.
Good to know:
Usually quiet and private
Dog friendly
Incredible sunsets
Tide dependent
Not suitable for playing in the water
Not mobility friendly
Young children require close supervision
Pandora Pond
Pandora Pond offers something a little different.
The estuary, boardwalk and reflections across the water create beautiful, light-filled photographs, especially as the sun begins to set.
It’s one of the easiest locations to access while still feeling peaceful.
Good to know:
Public location
✔ Dog friendly
✔ Mobility friendly
✔ Short 1–2 minute walk
✔ Beautiful sunset light
Children should be supervised near the water
Your Home
Some of the most meaningful photographs are taken in the place your family knows best.
Home sessions are especially popular for newborns, but they’re equally beautiful for families wanting a relaxed, personal experience in a space filled with memories.
There’s no rushing, no travelling, and children often feel most comfortable in their own environment.
Natural Light Studio in Napier
If you’d prefer an indoor session, or simply want certainty regardless of the weather, my hired natural light studio is a beautiful option.
The space is bright, neutral and timeless, creating photographs that keep the focus entirely on your family.
Because it’s a privately hired studio, early booking is essential to secure availability.
Good to know:
- Bright, neutral natural light
- Private setting
- Perfect in any weather
- Additional studio hire fee of $50 applies
Which Location Is Right for You?
Every family is different.
Some children love splashing through the waves, while others feel happiest wandering through long grass or cuddling together beneath the trees.
When you book your session with Lightkeeper Photography, I’ll help you choose the location that best suits your family, the season, and the story you want your photographs to tell.
Because the most beautiful photos aren’t created by the location alone—they’re created by the people in them.
Jump over to the website here to get in touch!
