If you’re wondering where to have your family photos taken in Margaret River, you’re spoilt for choice. From beautiful beaches and quiet bushland to towering forests, wildflower-filled landscapes and the comfort of your own home, there are so many wonderful family photoshoot locations in Margaret River to choose from.
I’m Jordan, the photographer behind Stills by Jordan, a Margaret River family and maternity photographer specialising in natural, relaxed and playful photography. I grew up in Margaret River and have a background in environmental science and education, so photographing families outdoors and helping children connect with the natural world feels very natural to me.
After photographing families throughout Margaret River and the wider South West, I’ve learnt that the “perfect” location isn't necessarily the one that looks most impressive on Instagram. It’s the one where your family can relax, explore and simply enjoy being together.
So, if you're wondering where to take family photos in Margaret River, here are some of the questions I hear most often.
Where should I have family photos taken in Margaret River?
The best family photoshoot location in Margaret River is somewhere that suits your family, your children and the kind of photographs you want to create. For some families, that's the beach. For others, it might be a quiet bush location, a forest, a favourite local spot or even their own home.
When I help families choose a location, I look at much more than whether it is beautiful.
I consider your children's ages and personalities, how much space they need to explore, the time of day, the season, the weather and how easy the location is to access.
My family photography sessions aren't about standing in one spot and smiling at the camera for an hour. I want children to have the freedom to move, explore, play and interact with their parents.
The location needs to give them room to do that.
What are the best beach locations for family photos in Margaret River?
Margaret River's beaches are a beautiful choice for relaxed family photos, especially around golden hour when the light becomes soft and warm. Some of my favourite locations include the Rivermouth, Redgate Beach, Contos, Gracetown boat ramp or dog beach, or even Hamelin Bay and Cosy Corner. Beach sessions work particularly well for families who enjoy exploring, walking, playing and letting their children move freely.
The coastline around Margaret River gives us plenty of variety. For children, the beach also provides plenty to do. Instead of asking them to pose, we can follow their natural curiosity and turn the session into a little family adventure.
Beach locations can also be particularly beautiful for maternity photography in Margaret River, with the open landscape and soft coastal light creating simple, timeless photographs.
I like to choose beach locations where it will be quiet, and protected from certain wind directions. I usually like to finalise our beach location a few days out when we know what the weather conditions are doing.
Is the beach a good location for family photos with young children?
Yes, particularly if your children enjoy running, exploring and being outdoors. The key is choosing a beach that works practically for your family and scheduling the session at a time when your children are likely to be happiest.
Where should I do family photos if my children love nature?
A bush, bush or forest location is one of the best options for families whose children love exploring, climbing, collecting treasures and discovering little things in nature.
This is one of my favourite types of family photography because there is so much for children to engage with.
Instead of asking a toddler to stand still and smile, we can give them something real to investigate. They might find a feather, examine a fallen log, search for insects, collect leaves or race through the trees.
Those little moments often become some of my favourite photographs.
One of the things I love about being a family photographer in Margaret River is the incredible variety of our natural landscape. The scenery changes throughout the year, from spring wildflowers and fresh green growth to the deeper, moodier tones of winter.
If your family loves spending time outdoors, a natural bush or forest location can create photographs that feel connected to both your family and the place you call home.
What is the best location for family photos with toddlers?
For families with toddlers, I recommend choosing a location where children are comfortable have plenty of space to move and explore.
My approach to family photography is very child-led. I'll give you gentle prompts and ideas for things to do together while allowing your children to move at their own pace.
My goal is to photograph them exactly as they are at this age, while having fun with the family.
Is an in-home family photoshoot a good idea?
Absolutely. Your home can be one of the most meaningful locations for family photography, particularly if you want photographs that feel personal, relaxed and documentary.
An in-home session doesn't require a perfectly styled house or a spotless playroom.
In fact, I often prefer a home that looks like your home.
We can photograph your children reading their favourite books, playing with toys, jumping on the bed, baking in the kitchen, cuddling on the couch or simply doing the ordinary things that make up your family life.
For families with babies and toddlers, staying at home can also make the session much easier. There is no packing the entire contents of your house into the car or worrying about getting everyone out the door at exactly the right time.
And those ordinary moments can become incredibly meaningful photographs.
What is the best location for maternity photos in Margaret River?
The best maternity photoshoot location in Margaret River is somewhere you feel comfortable, confident and connected — whether that's the beach, bushland, an open natural landscape or your own home.
Maternity photography doesn't need to feel overly posed or formal.
For a relaxed maternity session, we might walk through the landscape, sit together in the grass, enjoy the sunset or simply focus on the connection between you and your partner.
I love incorporating the natural Margaret River landscape into maternity photographs because it gives the images a sense of place. Years later, you'll not only remember your pregnancy — you'll remember where you were living and the landscape surrounding your family at that time.
For mums who prefer something more intimate, an in-home maternity session can be just as beautiful.
Should I choose the location or will my photographer help me?
You don't need to know the perfect location before booking your family photography session — helping you choose one is part of my job as your photographer.
When you enquire with Stills by Jordan, we can talk about your family, your children's ages, what you enjoy doing together and the kind of photographs you are drawn to.
From there, I can recommend a location that suits you - whether that be at the beach, forest, bush or river.
Sometimes the place you initially have in mind isn't actually the best fit once we consider the light, access, weather or your children's personalities.
That's completely okay.
Choosing a location is part of planning the story we want your photographs to tell.
As we near the photoshoot date, and we have a clearer idea on the weather conditions, we can finalise a location that suits you and your family.
What should I consider when choosing a family photoshoot location?
When choosing a family photoshoot location in Margaret River, consider your children's ages, accessibility, light, weather, season and whether the location gives your family space to interact naturally.
Here are the things I usually consider with my families:
Your children's personalities
Do they love exploring? Are they naturally cautious? Do they need lots of room to run?
The time of day
Will your children be happiest in the morning or later in the afternoon?
The season
Is there something special happening in the landscape, such as spring wildflowers?
Accessibility
Will grandparents, babies or prams be joining you?
The weather
Some locations are beautiful on a calm evening but aren't ideal when the wind picks up.
Your family's connection to the place
Is there somewhere you already love spending time together?
A location doesn't need to be spectacular to create beautiful photographs. Sometimes the most ordinary places become incredibly special when they're connected to your family.
What is the best time of day for family photos in Margaret River?
Golden hour is one of my favourite times for family photos in Margaret River because the light is soft and warm, but the best time for your family depends on your children and the location.
For many families, the hour before sunset creates beautiful golden light, particularly at the beach or in open landscapes.
However, if your children are happiest first thing in the morning, a morning session can be a much better choice.
There is no point choosing the “perfect” golden-hour light if everyone is tired, hungry and ready for bed!
When planning your session, I would much rather choose a time when your family can be relaxed and present. That is when the natural moments happen.
If you would like a more flexible time, we can choose at home session or forest location, or if you think your family can do the “golden hour” sunset time, I suggest a family hack of packing dinner for the beach for after the photoshoot!
How do I choose between the beach, bush or home for family photos?
Think about where your family feels most like yourselves. If you love the outdoors and movement, choose the beach or bush. If you want something intimate and personal, consider an in-home session.
Think about what your children naturally enjoy doing.
If your weekends are spent at the beach, that's a wonderful place to document your family.
If your children are happiest exploring bush tracks, collecting treasures and climbing over logs, let's use that.
If your favourite part of the day is everyone piled onto the couch reading books together, perhaps home is the perfect location.
Your photographs don't need to look like everyone else's.
They should look like you.
So, what is the best family photoshoot location in Margaret River?
There isn't one perfect location. The best family photoshoot location in Margaret River is the one that allows your family to relax, connect and enjoy being together.
That might be a windswept beach, a quiet forest, a patch of spring wildflowers or the familiar rooms of your own home.
As a Margaret River family photographer, I love helping families find locations that feel natural rather than staged. My sessions are relaxed, playful and centred around connection, with gentle direction when you need it and plenty of space to simply be yourselves when you don't.
If you're looking for family photoshoot locations in Margaret River, you don't need to arrive with the perfect location already chosen. We can work it out together.
I photograph families and maternity sessions throughout Margaret River and the wider South West WA, including Prevelly, Gnarabup, Gracetown, Cowaramup, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Boranup, Augusta and surrounding areas.
Because the best photographs aren't necessarily made in the most beautiful place.
They're made when you forget you're having your photograph taken.
Stills by Jordan
Natural, relaxed family & maternity photography in Margaret River, South West WA.
