Photo locations · Family · Nashville

Best places for family photos in Nashville

Planning family photos in Nashville? These are the spots worth shortlisting, chosen for the light, the backdrop, and how easily a session comes together.

family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
family photos by a Snappr photographer
Where to shoot

12 places to shoot family photos & videos in Nashville

01

Centennial Park & The Parthenon

Iconic
2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203 · West End · Outdoor

A 132-acre park anchored by a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, with a lake, lawns, and shaded paths. The neoclassical landmark and open greenery make it Nashville's most versatile spot for engagement, family, and senior portraits.

For family photos: room for the whole group to spread out.

Best lightGolden hour lighting the Parthenon columns
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessFree lots and street parking; paved paths throughout
TerrainFlat lawns, paved paths, and monument steps
02

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Local favorite
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205 · Belle Meade · Outdoor

A 55-acre 1930s estate with a limestone mansion, formal gardens, fountains, and seasonal displays. The elegant grounds are a premier backdrop for engagement, maternity, and family portraits.

For family photos: an easygoing setting that keeps kids engaged.

Best lightMorning and golden hour across the gardens
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessOn-site parking; paved and gravel garden paths
SeasonSpring blooms and fall color are peak; year-round garden interest
03

Percy Warner Park

7311 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221 · Belle Meade · Outdoor

A large forested park famous for its grand allée of stone steps and the tree-lined Belle Meade Boulevard entrance. The dramatic steps and woodland make an elegant backdrop for engagement, maternity, and family sessions.

For family photos: a backdrop that still feels like home year after year.

Best lightGolden hour on the stone steps and allée
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessFree lots at the entrances; some walking to the steps
TerrainStone steps, wooded trails, and some hills
04

Radnor Lake State Park

1160 Otter Creek Rd, Nashville, TN 37220 · Oak Hill · Outdoor

A serene state natural area with a lake, forested trails, and abundant wildlife. The quiet, natural scenery suits maternity, family, and nature-styled portraits.

For family photos: room for the whole group to spread out.

Best lightMorning light on the lake; golden hour on the trails
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessFree lots; natural trails (no bikes/pets on some trails)
TerrainNatural dirt trails and lakeside boardwalk
05

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

600 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243 · Germantown / Downtown · Outdoor

A state park below the Tennessee Capitol with a granite map plaza, fountains, and a columned amphitheater. The open architecture and monuments give couples, senior, and portrait sessions a clean, grand look.

For family photos: an easygoing setting that keeps kids engaged.

Best lightGolden hour with Capitol backdrop; blue hour at the fountains
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessStreet and lot parking near the Farmers' Market; fully paved
TerrainFlat paved plazas and lawns
06

Shelby Park & Bottoms

1900 Davidson St, Nashville, TN 37206 · East Nashville · Outdoor

A riverside park with greenway trails, wetlands, open fields, and mature trees. The mix of meadow and woodland scenery suits family, maternity, and engagement portraits.

For family photos: a backdrop that still feels like home year after year.

Best lightGolden hour on the fields and river trails
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessFree lots along the park; paved greenway and natural trails
TerrainFlat fields, paved greenway, and some soft ground
Show all 12 places
07

Cumberland Park

592 S 1st St, Nashville, TN 37213 · East Bank · Outdoor

A riverfront park across from downtown with lawns, climbing features, and skyline and pedestrian-bridge views. The open, family-friendly setting suits family, maternity, and couples portraits.

For family photos: room for the whole group to spread out.

Best lightGolden hour and blue hour with skyline across the river
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessNearby stadium lots and street parking; fully paved
TerrainFlat lawns and paved riverfront paths
08

Two Rivers Mansion

3130 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 · Donelson · Outdoor

An 1859 Italianate mansion with columned porches, lawns, and mature trees. The historic architecture and grounds give engagement, maternity, and family portraits a stately backdrop.

For family photos: an easygoing setting that keeps kids engaged.

Best lightGolden hour on the mansion facade and lawns
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessFree on-site parking; paved paths and lawns
TerrainFlat lawns and paved walkways
09

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 · Belle Meade · Outdoor

A historic 1820s plantation-era mansion and grounds with grand architecture, oaks, and open lawns. The classic estate setting suits engagement, family, and elegant portrait sessions.

For family photos: a backdrop that still feels like home year after year.

Best lightGolden hour on the mansion and grounds
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessOn-site parking; paved and gravel paths
Group sizeSuits couples through family groups on the grounds
10

Gaylord Opryland Garden Conservatory

Rain backup
2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214 · Opryland / Donelson · Indoor

Nine acres of glass-covered indoor gardens hold tens of thousands of tropical plants, waterfalls, winding paths and soft filtered daylight under soaring atriums. The Cascades and Delta areas feel lush and romantic year round, a warm, weatherproof setting for newborns, families, maternity and engagement photos. Bridges and blooms give endless backdrops without ever stepping outside.

For family photos: room for the whole group to spread out.

Best lightSoft filtered daylight midday under the glass atriums
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the resort.
AccessResort self-parking fees apply; confirm current rates with the venue
Good to knowA hotel amenity; confirm photo access with the resort
11

Vanderbilt University (Alumni Lawn & Kirkland Hall)

2201 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37235 · West End / Midtown · Outdoor

Vanderbilt's arboretum campus mixes Collegiate Gothic stone, the Kirkland Hall tower and lawns shaded by thousands of mature trees. Alumni Lawn and the historic quads give classic cap-and-gown backdrops with dappled light and ivy-touched walls. It is a favorite for graduates and stately senior portraits.

For family photos: an easygoing setting that keeps kids engaged.

Best lightDappled late afternoon on the lawns; soft morning in the quads
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the university.
AccessPaid garages nearby; campus walking access
Group sizeOpen lawns handle families and small grad groups
12

Belmont University (Bell Tower)

1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212 · Belmont / Hillsboro · Outdoor

Belmont's campus centers on the historic Bell Tower and the manicured lawns and gardens of the old Belle Monte estate. Brick walks, fountains and flowering beds make a tidy, uplifting backdrop for graduation and senior sessions. Late-day light warms the tower and the greenery nicely.

For family photos: a backdrop that still feels like home year after year.

Best lightGolden hour on the Bell Tower; soft morning in the gardens
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the university.
AccessVisitor parking on campus; walking access to the lawns
Good to knowBusiest around class changes and events

Book a Snappr photographer in minutes. Vetted, local, and ready to shoot these spots.

From the Snappr network

Snappr family photos shot in Nashville

Real sessions our photographers have delivered around Nashville, so you know the standard before you book.

family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
family photos shot in Nashville by a Snappr photographer
A sample of family photos from the Snappr network

Still need a photographer?

Snappr photographers are available in Nashville to shoot at the venue you choose. All vetted, insured, and booked through the same platform.

Pick a date and Snappr matches you with a vetted local photographer, every shoot backed by our quality guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Shooting family photos in Nashville

It depends on the spot. Public streets and sidewalks usually don't, while many parks, gardens, and landmarks require a permit for professional sessions. Each location above notes what we found on permits — confirm the current rules and any fee with the venue or city before you book.

Golden hour — the hour after sunrise or before sunset — flatters almost every location, and each spot above lists the light that works best there. Early morning also means thinner crowds at the popular ones.

Snappr pricing is flat and set before you book, with no travel or editing surprises. Most sessions run one to two hours; you can see current rates and what each tier includes on the pricing page.

Pick your date and shoot type and we match you with a vetted local photographer who shoots in Nashville. Booking takes a couple of minutes, and you can reschedule for free if plans change.

Related pages

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Same guide, a different city or milestone. Every page is researched locally.