As a portrait photographer who specializes in photographing families, children, and pets, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering some truly breathtaking locations in Gwinnett County. For clients who are looking for the perfect outdoor photoshoot, a big part of their personalized consultation process is helping them select the ideal location for their photoshoot. Here is a short list of my Top 10 best parks for family photos in Gwinnett County and near Atlanta. From serene lakes and lush gardens to historic farm buildings and iconic landmarks, these spots offer perfect backdrops for capturing your life’s brightest moments.

Once we arrive on location, I love taking my clients on a guided tour of these parks, with each trip planned specifically to meet their unique needs. We’ll enjoy a charted path that stops at my favorite scenes and amenities, selecting locations that are ideal for their specific group and how adventurous they are feeling. One of the most important elements in outdoor portraits is ensuring that we use the available light to our advantage, to create even skin tones and evocative light rays, so my photography adventures are always meticulously planned and timed around the sun’s location in the sky and how it’s interacting with the elements of the landscape!

1. Twin Rivers Photography Studio

Twin Rivers Photography
1977 Misty Woods Dr,
Duluth, GA 30097

About Our Outdoor Studio

When my business was just a dream, I already knew that I wanted to be able to capture stunning one-of-a-kind portraits for my clients in both studio and outdoor settings. I didn’t want to be a photographer who only specialized in one arena. And as my vision for my business grew, so did my vision for what the ideal studio location would be. I didn’t just want some pretty nature, I wanted access to one of the best parks a client could find for family photos. Finding this location was nothing short of a dream come true. It’s a magical place that I love sharing with my clients, and it’s also a big factor in my business’s name!

Our studio offers a unique photography experience that perfectly blends the beauty of nature with the comfort of a professional studio. We are privileged to have exclusive access to the pristine woodlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest Network, ensuring that your family photos are set against the most stunning backdrops.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about our Twin Rivers Photography studio is the protected woodlands that are part of the Chattahoochee National Forest Network. This land is off-limits to the public and vehicles, providing you with private access to an array of beautiful natural scenes, including huge rows of trees, expansive grassy meadows, a serene sandy creek, and of course, the picturesque banks of the Chattahoochee River. This setting is perfect for families who don’t want to choose between studio portraits and outdoor photos – by coming to us, you get the best of both worlds.

All of the images featured in this blog were captured in early spring at our exclusive studio location.

For more information, visit our website.

2. Little Mulberry Park

3855 Fence Road, Auburn, GA 30011

About Little Mulberry Park:

Let me take you to Little Mulberry Park, one of my favorite destinations for family portraits. Located in Auburn, just northeast of Lawrenceville, this 890-acre park features tranquil lakes, lush meadows, and meticulously maintained gardens. You’ll love the Karina Miller Nature Preserve, which features winding trails through the pristine woodlands. Plus, the Observation Plateau offers breathtaking panoramic views, adding an extra touch of magic to your photos.

This isn’t just one of the best parks for family photos; For horse lovers, this is the ultimate destination! The park features equestrian trails that wind throughout the woods, creeks, and open pastures. There’s even a dedicated equestrian parking lot and entrance.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about Little Mulberry Park is the path leading up to the observation plateau. These trails are cut through fields of tall grasses and wildflowers, and the landscape is constantly changing depending on the time of year, so the backdrop for your portraits truly reflects the unique moment in time that they were captured! The high elevation of the plateau also creates a lovely wind tunnel effect, which creates wonderful movement in hair and clothing. It’s perfect for those candid moments we’ll capture!

3. Tribble Mill Park

2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045

About Tribble Mill Park:

Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville is a hidden gem perfect for group and individual portrait photography. Located southeast of downtown Lawrenceville, this 713-acre park boasts a large lake, scenic wooded trails, and open meadows. The picturesque bridges and well-maintained pathways add to its charm. It’s a location where natural beauty and historical significance blend seamlessly.

What We Love Most:

I’ll have to make an exception here, because only highlighting one of these features would be an injustice to this location! Tribble Mill is home to several bridges that feature unique architecture and rustic charm. They are the perfect symbolic background to capture a transformative moment in life, like an engagement or a significant birthday. Finally, the waterfall here is unlike any other. This water feature spreads out across an expansive area of exposed bedrock. It’s a favorite area for local families to cool off on summer days, and is surrounded by shade and greenery that create beautiful lighting no matter the time of day.

4. Stone Mountain Park

1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

About Stone Mountain Park:

Stone Mountain Park is an iconic location with 3,200 acres of stunning natural scenery and historic landmarks. Located just east of Atlanta, the park features vast open spaces, wooded areas, and the impressive Stone Mountain itself. Established in the 1800s, it offers a blend of natural beauty and rich history, perfect for creating unforgettable family portraits. This is a great destination for extended families who are looking for a broad variety of locations, to keep the backgrounds and settings unique for each family.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about Stone Mountain Park is of course the mountain, and the various areas of exposed granite and rock formations that surround it. Its dramatic presence adds a unique and unforgettable element to your family portraits, securing it’s spot in our list of best parks for family photos!

5. Vines Park and Mansion

3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville, GA 30052

About Vines Park and Mansion:

Ask any photographer who’s been around Gwinnett County, and this location will surely be on their list of best parks for family photos. Consequently, it’s popularity may also be it’s main downfall: You’ll almost always see multiple shotoshoots taking place here! Vines Park and Mansion offers a unique blend of natural beauty and elegant architecture. Located in Loganville, southeast of Lawrenceville, this 25-acre park features beautiful gardens, a serene lake, and the stately Vines Mansion, built in the early 1980s. It’s a location where elegance and nature come together, creating the perfect backdrop for your family photos.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about Vines Park are the elegant gardens. This location offers a unique garden experience that blends the manicured landscape of your typical garden with aged, wild, and untamed elements of nature seamlessly blended in. In addition, the rows of towering Greek inspired columns and large concrete statues are truly magical! They provide a romantic and refined backdrop, adding a touch of class to your family portraits or a whimsical setting for an artistic photoshoot.

6. McDaniel Farm Park

3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth, GA 30096

About McDaniel Farm Park:

McDaniel Farm Park is perfect for those who love a touch of history with their nature. Located in Duluth, just northwest of Lawrenceville, this 134-acre park features restored 1930s farm buildings, open fields, and wooded trails. It’s a charming, rustic setting that takes you back in time and provides a warm, nostalgic backdrop for family portraits.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about McDaniel Farm Park are the historic farm buildings. They add a nostalgic and cozy feel to your family portraits, making them truly unique. This would certainly be the perfect setting for a bohemian or cottage inspired photoshoot, with ample locations for relaxing on front porches, along rustic fence lines, and under their many ancient trees.

7. Sims Lake Park

4600 Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee, GA 30024

About Sims Lake Park:

Sims Lake Park in Suwanee is a beautiful 62-acre park featuring a serene lake, waterfalls, and well-maintained gardens. Located just north of Lawrenceville, the park’s peaceful atmosphere and scenic walking trails make it a favorite spot for families. The combination of water features and lush greenery creates an enchanting backdrop for capturing your family’s special moments.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about Sims Lake Park is of course, the beautiful lake! This would be a great location for the family or individual who loves wildlife, fishing, or just being near the water. Young children will be captivated by the wildlife that lives in and around the lake, and it offers a great opportunity for capturing candid moments for little ones who need plenty of room to run and play.

8. Rabbit Hill Park

400 Rabbit Hill Road, Dacula, GA 30019

About Rabbit Hill Park:

Rabbit Hill Park is a versatile 200-acre park featuring a scenic lake, open fields, wooded areas, and playgrounds. Located in Dacula, northeast of Lawrenceville, it’s well-known for its diverse landscapes and family-friendly amenities. This blend of natural beauty and recreational areas makes it a perfect location for capturing joyful family moments.

What We Love Most:

Rabbit Hill Park is the perfect destination for families with young children, dogs, or both! The flowing water feature is a wonderful place for little ones to play and cool down in the summer months, making for some adorable photo opportunities if you bring rain boots and their favorite water toys. The dog park is a great feature for those who want to feature their furry friend in their portraits. It’s a great way to let energetic dogs run off some steam so they’re happy and relaxed when it comes time for photos.

9. Harbins Park

2995 Luke Edwards Road, Dacula, GA 30019

About Harbins Park:

Harbins Park is a sprawling 1,960-acre park offering wooded trails, open meadows, and a serene creek. Located in Dacula, east of Lawrenceville, this is by far the largest park on our featured list. It features many winding trails for the adventurous nature lover, great dedicated equestrian paths, and a huge flowing creek over exposed bedrock.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about Harbins Park are the wooded trails. Truly, they just seem to go on forever! These lush, shaded paths offer a natural and serene backdrop for those who are truly adventurers at heart. I would recommend that location to families and pet owners who love hiking through the woods and aren’t afraid of getting their boots dirty.

10. George Pierce Park

55 Buford Highway NE, Suwanee, GA 30024

About George Pierce Park:

Last but not least, George Pierce Park in Suwanee spans 304 acres and features scenic ponds, open fields, and wooded trails. Located just north of Lawrenceville, the park has become a beloved community space since its opening in 1991. The combination of water features and lush greenery provides a picturesque setting perfect for capturing your family’s special moments.

What We Love Most:

What I love most about George Pierce Park is the greenways that wind through the wild untouched waterways and lush landscape. This park truly showcases the untamed potential for Georgia’s landscape. Thus, it’s perfect for those who want epic overgrown nature in their portraits. I’d recommend this location for occasions like engagement photos for the nature-loving couple, or dog owners who want to capture the free spirit of their favorite furry companion.