Best places for maternity photos in Glasgow

Tucked behind the Tramway arts centre, this walled sanctuary garden is one of the calmest green spaces in the city, with gravel paths, an old brick chimney, meadow planting and mature birches. The high walls keep traffic noise and wind out, so newborns and toddlers settle quickly and the light stays soft and even. It is a lovely spot for gentle, unhurried photos with plenty of shade in summer.

For maternity photos: soft light and flowing lines that flatter a bump.

A National Trust for Scotland walled garden of about two and a half acres wrapped around an 18th century house, with clipped hedges, rose arches, a fountain and long herbaceous borders. The enclosing walls make it sheltered and quiet, which suits maternity and newborn sessions that need a slow pace and warm, diffused light. Wide gravel walks and lawn make it easy going for families with prams too.

For maternity photos: a calm, comfortable spot to slow down and pose.

A leafy Victorian park between Broomhill and Whiteinch with an ornamental pond, arched bridges, mature avenues and the Fossil Grove quarry gardens in the south west corner. It is far quieter than the big West End parks, so it works well for newborn and family sessions where you want space to spread out a blanket. Autumn colour along the tree-lined walks is a highlight.

For maternity photos: a serene backdrop for the wait.

A big country-style park on the southern edge of the city with a wooded glen, waterfalls on the Auldhouse Burn, a boating pond and a bright walled garden full of formal summer beds. The walled garden is sheltered and calm enough for newborn and maternity photos, while the glen and pond give couples something wilder to work with. There is a cafe and play area, which makes long family sessions much easier.

For maternity photos: soft light and flowing lines that flatter a bump.

A purpose-built photography and film studio in the Mile End quarter with a large white infinity cove and wall-to-wall south facing windows. The warm, controlled space and blackout blinds mean you can shoot clean newborn and maternity portraits whatever the Glasgow weather is doing outside. On-site parking makes loading in prams, props and outfit changes straightforward.

For maternity photos: a calm, comfortable spot to slow down and pose.

Glasgow's second largest park follows the White Cart Water through 200 acres of old woodland, with a small waterfall, the cast iron Halfpenny Bridge and the ruins of Cathcart Castle. Quiet riverside clearings and beech avenues give calm, green backdrops well away from the crowds, which suits gentle family and maternity sessions. Bluebells in spring and deep rust colour in autumn are worth planning around.

For maternity photos: a serene backdrop for the wait.