Is Toronto Canada’s most photogenic city? We think so. We have our favorite Toronto photography locations for different types of photoshoots, ranging from lifestyle, portrait, maternity photography, engagement, and pre-wedding photography.
In this post, we’ve outlined which locations in Toronto are best for each type.
Right at the base of the bluffs, the backdrop is a towering wall of ancient clay rock reaching a majestic height of 91m (300ft). The rough texture of the rocks blended with the softness of the sand provides the perfect elegance to capture timeless romantic photos.
It truly is mesmerizing.
Our Scarborough Bluffs photoshoot packages aren’t all on the beach. The different parks provide an array of scenery. If you want floral beauty in the background, we’d highly suggest either the Rosetta McClain Gardens or the Guild Park and Gardens.
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Top Toronto Photography Locations for Family Shoots
1. Toronto Islands
The Toronto islands are popular for cityscape photography and family photoshoots with pets. As there are no cars on the islands, it’s relaxing for dogs. The only place you can’t take them is into the Far Enough Farm.
Everything else on the Toronto Islands is pet-welcoming, including the amusement park. For lifestyle photoshoots of families with kids and pets in two, you won’t find much better fun and photographic settings than the Toronto Islands.
2. Graffiti Alley
Located in the Financial District of Toronto, just off Queen Street is a 1km stretch of vibrant color, and creative street art that’s bursting with energy.
For lifestyle portrait photoshoots showcasing the latest craze in street fashion, this is the best spot in Toronto to go. Photos taken here ooze energy.
Being an alley, the best time of year for photoshoots is in the summer. Early afternoon is when there’s a lot more natural light. As the day goes on, the sun gets lower, and with that comes shadows.
If you want to capture the most color in your photos, book a photoshoot for late morning to early afternoon.
3. High Park
High Park is best described as Toronto’s most iconic park and one of the top Toronto photography locations. There’s something for all styles of photoshoots in all seasons.
In the fall when the leaves on trees are changing colors and spreading across the manicured lawns, you get the most picturesque backdrops.
The scenery here is magnificent, which is why any photographer in Toronto will always encourage clients to consider this among their top Toronto photography locations.
We highly recommend it for our Pregnancy or Maternity photography services in the fall. There’s something magical about the pregnancy bump photoshoots at the time of year when nature’s shedding in preparation for next year’s blooms.
4. Harbourfront
The harbourfront is the gateway to the Toronto islands, but more than that, it’s a scenic location with terrific natural lighting that’s further helped by the reflections from the water.
Our favorite type of photography along the harbourfront has to be lifestyle portrait photos. For our business photography service, the cityscape in the background can make a statement piece. Even more powerful is the sunset silhouette pictures taken at blue hour.
Silhouettes of baby bumps, couples holding hands walking along the boardwalk, and family photoshoots of mom, dad, and kid in the middle swinging from their parents’ hands as they walk along the promenade is another photoshoot idea for this location.
Whatever you have in mind for your photoshoot, tap our creative talent behind the lens to capture memorable moments for your family that’ll be treasured for generations.
Engagement and Wedding photoshoot locations in Toronto
5. Scarborough Bluffs
We consider Scarborough Bluffs to be Toronto’s most romantic location. It’s the perfect spot to capture blossoming romance. So do many other photographers though making it tricky to book a good time that won’t be busy with other couples, and tourists.
Weekdays are always encouraged because weekends are the busiest. Locals and tourists flock to the beaches at the weekends. Photographers know weekdays are best.
Our most popular photography services for Scarborough Bluffs are engagement photoshoots and maternity photoshoots. As most couples tie the knot on a Saturday, it’s not uncommon to book a post-wedding photoshoot at Scarborough Bluffs either.
Whatever you have in mind, our services are entirely customizable. Get in contact with the team at Photography by Melike.
6. Casa Loma
Casa Loma is the ultimate location for grandeur and elegance. The location offers a formal setting with the perfect balance of unique architectural features and historic significance that’s a certainty to be around for as long as your photos.
As enchanting as it is dramatic, there’s a certain charm Casa Loma has to offer. Particularly in the winter. Variety is aplenty here. Stunning photos can be shot from within the conservatory terrace, in front of the water fountain, in the stained glass dome room, and among the floral gardens. ‘
7. Knox College
Within Knox College is one of the oldest chapels in the cities. It’s also the most elaborately rich in architectural features giving it intricate designs with an epic gothic feel to it.
The style is neo-Gothic, similar to British/Scottish cathedrals. If you’re familiar with Harry Potter movies, the exterior was based on Alnwick Castle in Scotland, and the interior was styled based on the architectural design of the Gloucester Cathedral in Bath, England. The cathedral in Knox College has those same vibes.
Permits are required and are available for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only in up to 2-hour time slots.
Top Outdoor Photography Locations in Toronto
8. Evergreen Brickworks
The Evergreen Brickworks is a popular wedding venue. The heritage buildings are great backdrops for unique photos, offering a rustic charm. The grounds are expansive, it’s pet-friendly, and there are plenty of amazing spots around the grounds to snap creative photos.
In the fall, the grounds in the woodlands are covered in leaf litter, which to photographers like us, is nature’s confetti. Gather piles of leaves, throw them up in the air, then take multiple fast-action snaps. The stills created look like the leaves are falling from the trees.
There’s plenty of space here for running around, too. For action photos of kids running around, hiding behind trees, throwing leaves in the fall, or snowballs in the winter, a photoshoot here is sure to keep the family entertained. It’s environments like this that capture authentic snaps.
9. Distillery District
The Distillery District is among our favorite destination locations for outdoor engagement photoshoots. A permit is required, and it only permits outdoor shooting.
For creative photographers like us though, that’s no problem. We can set up outside stores capturing photos like onlookers looking into the scene through the window. Photos taken from outdoors looking in can create some truly intimate photos.
Weekend outdoor photoshoots are popular here. You need to book a permit at least a week in advance. You can’t bring props (except handheld) and since it’s private property, do familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions. No standalone props are allowed, and you can’t get a permit for weekends when the Distillery Winter Village is running.
10. Toronto Music Gardens
Toronto Music Gardens is famous for being inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello. In classical music, a suite is a collection of short musical pieces played sequentially. The gardens are a collection of gardens, with each small garden following on from the previous, representative of the sequential movement in classical music.
In design terms, the Toronto Music Gardens are a hybrid of musical and garden design.
Those with a fondness for classical music and landscape design will certainly appreciate the history and talent within the gardens. The gardens are free and in the summer, there are classical performances to be enjoyed.
No matter the time of the year you visit, there’s always somewhere tranquil with plenty of green space for beautiful photos to be taken.
One of the Top Toronto Locations We Miss
11. Cloud Gardens Conservatory
We’d be remiss not to include the Cloud Gardens Conservatory, which is set to reopen after restoration works are completed at the end of 2024. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Financial District, the Cloud Gardens boasts a 5-storey waterfall that has 1,800 gallons of water falling every minute. Within the complex is an all-year greenhouse filled with tropical plants.
Roll on 2024 when we can enjoy shooting Torontos’ hidden waterfall!
When you need professional shoots taken at any Toronto Photography Locations, get in contact with Photography by Melike. We’re familiar with the hotspots, and lighting and know the best equipment and lenses to use at the different spots.