Planning senior portraits for this fall? These 5 Spot are natural, relaxed, and full of classic New England scenery.

There’s something special about senior pictures in the fall. The colorful leaves, golden light, and classic New England scenery make September, October, and November some of my favorite months for senior portrait sessions.

If you’re looking for fall senior picture locations near Boston, you don’t have to travel far to find beautiful backdrops. From wooded trails and changing foliage to historic buildings, stone walls, and waterfront views, there are plenty of locations throughout Norfolk County, the South Shore, and Greater Boston that offer a variety of looks without feeling too far from home.

Graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment in a young person’s life. And it’s easy to get swept up in all the activities and celebrations surrounding this time in your life. But, it’s important to capture the moment too! For the yearbook you’ll look back at fondly, to share with your family and friends, and most importantly to look back on yourself and all you’ve accomplished for years to come.

As a Medfield senior photographer, I love helping seniors find locations that feel like them. Some seniors want colorful foliage and a classic New England look, while others prefer something a little more architectural or urban. Below are five of my favorite fall senior picture locations near Boston, along with what you can expect at each spot.

1 – Francis William Bird Park, Walpole, Massachusetts

What you’ll get:
Stone structure, trees, woods, water, grass fields, stone bridges, paths and benches

Otherwise known as “Bird Park” this spot offers everything a senior portrait shoot might need. Entering from any side of the park offers a different look – a stone structure on one end, a small pond on the other. Along with family sessions, this park is popular for photoshoots for a reason, and for senior portraits it’s no different.

2 – Medfield State Hospital, Medfield, Massachusetts

What you’ll get:
Brick buildings, tall grass fields, florals, water, woods & trees

Now I know you hear  “hospital” and don’t immediately think what a great photoshoot spot! But, truthfully, this abandoned hospital is one of the most diverse spots for photo backgrounds in the area. The brick buildings provide a more urban looking background while the fields in back offer more tall grass and floral backgrounds. There’s also wooded paths and a pond on the outskirts to provide evn more variety. So no matter what vibe you’re hoping to go for for your senior shoot, The Medfield State Hospital has it. This area could be a great option for senior portraits for any length session, at any time of the year – especially in the fall.

3 – Stonybrook Wildlife Sanctuary, Norfolk, Massachusetts

What you’ll get:
Boardwalks, water, trees, open fields, florals, nature, animals

Stonybrook is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary offering a quaint, natural experience for your shoot. I actually had my high school senior photo session here too! Stonybrook Wildlife Sanctuary offers great photo backgrounds any time of year with waterfronts, grassy fields, boardwalks, and more. And, in autumn, the trees are absolutely stunning with their colorful leaves appearing in all directions. 

4 – Borderland State Park, Easton, Massachusetts

What you’ll get:
Stone mansion, colorful wooden doors, varying trees, woods, water, grass fields, babbling brooks, wooden bridges

Borderland is a state park that offers a large variety of natural backgrounds. Aside from the mansion in front with a beautiful stone and large wooded doors to choose from, there’s pergolas, rows of different tree varieties, and more – and that’s just surrounding the mansion itself. 

When venturing further into the park you’ll find a large pond with stunning foliage in the autumn, large wooded paths with towering pine trees, babbling rivers, wooden bridges, and more. It truly has it all for a photoshoot. As a senior portrait photographer myself, my tip would be to book at least an hour here to get full use of the park.

5 – Cedariver, Millis, Massachusetts

What you’ll get:
Stone walls, woods and trees, water, grass fields

If you’re looking for a quiet moment in the woods for your photos then Cedariver is the perfect spot for you. Along with some open areas and waterfronts, this location offers a perfect encapsulation of New England. And while it’s beautiful year-round, I especially love it in the fall.

Some testimonials from past  senior portrait photography clients:

“I really appreciated Emma’s assistance in finding the best location for the portrait session. The mood board that she created was very helpful. Seeing different poses prior to the session helped in getting the most out of the hour. Overall we had an excellent experience with Emma.” 

“She kept in contact with us throughout the process. From sending ideas and suggestions to responding timely to any question or concerns we sent her way. The finished photos were amazing.”

“We truly enjoyed working with Emma and were very pleased with the end result. Thank you. Pleasure to work with, fast turn around, great photos.”

“Excellent service, superior finished product and fair price.”

Ready to Plan Your Fall Senior Pictures?

Choosing a location is just one part of planning senior pictures, but it can make a huge difference in how your final images feel. The best location isn’t necessarily the one with the most impressive scenery – it’s the one that fits you.

That’s why when you book a senior portrait session with me, I don’t expect you to show up with everything figured out. I’ll help you choose a location based on the look you’re going for and how much variety you’d like from your session. From there, I’ll guide you through posing and the rest of the experience so you can focus on enjoying the moment instead of worrying about the end result.

If you’re looking for senior pictures near Boston, Medfield, or Norfolk County, I’d love to help you create a session that feels natural and individual to you.

Inquire about your senior portrait session.

Your senior year only happens once. Let’s make sure you have photos that you’ll be excited to look back on long after graduation.

fall senior picture locations near Boston