The 5 Best Places to Take Pictures in Maryland This Fall: Montgomery County Edition

If you're looking for beautiful places to take pictures in Maryland, fall is one of the best times of year to explore Montgomery County. Cooler temperatures, colorful foliage, and golden evening light create the perfect setting for relaxed family photos that feel timeless and natural.

One big question…

"Where should we have our family photo session?"

The answer depends on your family's style, but there are a handful of locations I come back to every fall because they consistently photograph beautifully. Whether you love wide open spaces, wooded trails, or colorful gardens, these five locations offer some of the best scenery in Montgomery County.

1. Brookside Gardens, Wheaton

Brookside Gardens is easily one of my favorite places for fall family sessions.

The gardens offer an incredible variety of backdrops without requiring much walking. You'll find tree-lined paths, charming bridges, colorful gardens, and beautiful textures that create a polished look while still feeling natural.

As the leaves begin changing, the gardens become even more beautiful with rich shades of gold, orange, and crimson.

Brookside is a wonderful choice for families with young children because everything is easily accessible and there are plenty of spots to stop and explore along the way.

Best for:

• Families with young children

• Classic, colorful fall portraits

• Clients who want a variety of backgrounds in one session

• NOTE: Brookside does require an advanced $50 permit to photograph there

2. Wheaton Regional Park

Wheaton Regional Park is one of Montgomery County's most versatile locations for fall family photos.

The park offers a wonderful mix of wooded trails, open grassy areas, mature trees, and charming bridges, giving us plenty of variety without having to travel between locations. In the fall, the changing leaves create a beautiful backdrop of warm golds, oranges, and reds that photograph beautifully during golden hour.

One of the things I love most about Wheaton Regional Park is how easy it is to create a gallery with lots of different looks in a single session. We can start under the tree canopy, wander along the trails, and finish in an open field as the sun begins to set.

Its convenient location also makes it a favorite for families throughout Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington, and surrounding Montgomery County communities.

Best for:

• Families who want a variety of scenery

• Young children with plenty of room to explore

• Relaxed, candid family photos with beautiful fall color

• BONUS: Bathrooms nearby and playground for a reward after!

3. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg

When people ask about scenic places to take pictures in Maryland, Seneca Creek State Park is always near the top of my list.

The park offers a little bit of everything, including wooded trails, lake views, bridges, and open fields. Because it's such a large park, every session can feel unique depending on where we decide to explore.

One of my favorite parts of photographing here is letting families simply enjoy the evening together. Walking along the shoreline, tossing leaves, or letting kids collect acorns often creates the moments families end up loving most.

Best for:

• Larger families

• Open landscapes

• A mix of water and fall foliage

4. Evans Park, Silver Spring

Evans Park is one of Silver Spring's hidden gems for family photography.

It offers beautiful mature trees, open grassy spaces, and a relaxed neighborhood feel that photographs wonderfully in the fall. The changing leaves create warm, colorful backgrounds without feeling overly busy, allowing the focus to stay on your family.

Because it's smaller than many regional parks, sessions here feel calm and easy. It's an excellent option for families with younger children who may not enjoy walking long distances.

Its convenient location also makes it a favorite for families throughout Silver Spring and nearby communities.

Best for:

• Silver Spring families

• Short, relaxed sessions

• Young children

• Playground close by for a distraction or reward

5. Sligo Creek Trail

Sligo Creek Trail has a completely different feel than many of the county parks, and that's exactly why I love it.

The winding paved paths, mature trees, wooden bridges, and creek create beautiful opportunities for natural storytelling. During peak fall color, sections of the trail become lined with vibrant leaves that make the entire area glow during golden hour.

Rather than stopping at one location, we can wander together, allowing kids to explore while creating genuine interactions that don't feel forced.

It's one of my favorite locations for families who want their gallery to feel relaxed, playful, and authentic.

Best for:

• Lifestyle family sessions

• Walking and exploring together

• Beautiful fall color close to Silver Spring

How to Choose the Right Location

Every family is different, which means there's no single "perfect" location.

When helping clients choose a spot, I usually think about a few things:

• The ages of your children

• How much walking everyone is comfortable with

• Whether you prefer gardens, woods, or open fields

• The overall style you're hoping your photos will have

• If easy parking or bathrooms are a must-have

Some families want dramatic scenery, while others simply want a peaceful place where everyone can relax and enjoy being together.

The best location is the one that fits your family.

When Should You Schedule Fall Family Photos?

Fall is the busiest season for family photography in Maryland, and for good reason.

Peak color usually arrives between mid-October and early November, although every season is a little different. Dates tend to book well in advance, so I always recommend reaching out late summer if you're hoping for a fall session.

Planning ahead gives you the best selection of dates while also allowing us to choose the location that best matches your vision.

Looking for Beautiful Places to Take Pictures in Maryland?

Whether you've already fallen in love with one of these locations or you'd like help deciding, I'm always happy to recommend the perfect setting based on your family's personality and the look you're hoping to create.

As a Montgomery County family photographer, I photograph families throughout Silver Spring, Rockville, Bethesda, Kensington, Gaithersburg, and the surrounding DC area. I'd love to help you create relaxed, natural images you'll enjoy for years to come.

Ready to plan your fall family session? Let's find the perfect location together.