I’ll often get asked where the best spots in Wellington are for photography. We’re really lucky in Wellington as we can easily travel from the city to the hills with a view or the coastline. In this post I’ve put together a few of my favourite locations for wedding photos, engagement shoots or family sessions. All of these locations have their own benefits and suitable times of the day for the best outcome in your photos. Get in touch directly if you’d like to know more about these locations and if they will be suitable for your next photo shoot.
AT THE SEASIDE - PETONE BEACH, LOWER HUTT
Pros: Petone Beach is an easy-access location with great views of Wellington City. On one side of the wharf is the dog beach, so there is a dog-friendly area and on the other side of the wharf there are usually no dogs off leads. In the summertime, the grass area is covered in bunny tail grass which I love photographing in. This area can also be more sheltered from high winds coming from the North/West.
Cons: It’s a popular location, and lots of people are out walking their dogs so it can feel busy (good news is I can avoid having people in the background of your photos, so no issues there).
Best time of day for photos here: Approx 1 or 1.5 hours before sunset depending on the time of year and the weather forecast (particularly in winter the light gets lost behind the hills a bit quicker than expected).
SUNSET AND VIEWS - WHITIREIA PARK, PORIRUA
Pros: Whitireia Park is one of those spots that make you feel extremely grateful for living in New Zealand. It’s an easy location to drive to for a panoramic view of the ocean, Mana Island and in the distance on some days you can also see the South Island. There are multiple areas for photos here and some long grass areas.
Cons: There is no hiding from the weather here, bring warm clothing and hair ties or wear your hair back. This location isn’t suitable for high wind forecasts.
Best time of day for photos: 1 hour before sunset.
PHOTOS IN NATURE - PERCY RESERVE, LOWER HUTT
Pros: A great location for families with younger children who aren’t able to stay up late for a sunset session at Petone or Eastbourne Beach. It’s also great on a windy day rather than doing photos at the beach as it’s more sheltered. There are a few areas within walking distance of the car park that I like to use and I’ll often finish the session at the duck pond so children can enjoy that part of the reserve. This reserve is also great because of the open spaces and concreted pathways, it’s not overwhelming with green tones which can sometimes affect the colour of skin in photos if it’s a highly dense bush area.
Cons: In winter it can get cold in the reserve from 3 pm as it doesn’t see much sun after this time.
Best time of day for photos here: morning or early/mid afternoon.
HISTORICAL AND STUNNING - TRUBY KING PARK, MELROSE
Pros: This is a historical site of the founders of the Plunket Society. If the beach isn’t your favourite location, then this one could be it instead. I love the old brick archways and paths, the garden sweeps around the building giving you a number of spots to pick from. In the late afternoon, you can hear the lions at the zoo roaring. There is also a pine forecast nearby that can also be used for photos if the light is too bright in the main gardens.
Cons: Parking is limited and some areas are cornered off due to earthquake damage.
Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset or early morning.
LONG GRASS AND BEACHY - EASTBOURNE, LOWER HUTT
Pros: Eastbourne has been a popular spot because of its long grass and beach setting. It’s a lot quieter than Petone Beach which some clients prefer. This can also be a beautiful spot at sunset.
Cons: It is a more exposed location to windy weather. I recommend bringing a jacket and hair ties just in case.
Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset.
IN THE CITY - BROOKLYN CENTRAL PARK, WELLINGTON
Pros: This location is very easy to get to near the CBD but at the same time it is out of the hustle. It’s great for being shaded away from the bright sun (bright sunny days aren’t usually the best light for photos), so this location is perfect for daytime family sessions with children if a sunset session isn’t an option. The park is also dog friendly on leads and there is a playground that we can go to at the end of the photo shoot.
Cons: Sometimes parking is limited on the street, it can just mean parking further up the road and walking down to the entrance a minute or two.
Best time of day for photos here: Morning or afternoon.
ICONIC - PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON CITY
Pros: Wanting a more urban city vibe? Wellington’s parliament buildings are a mix of historic and modern backdrops. This is a great location on a rainy day as well, there are some sheltered areas for photos.
Cons: This is a location that you require permission to use for professional photos but I can arrange this for you with enough notice.
Best time of day for photos here: Afternoon
BELMONT RECREATION RESERVE - LOWER HUTT RIVER
Pros: Lower Hutt river has a few different areas that are suitable for photos but I love Belmont Recreation Reserve! It has good parking and multiple spots for photos including a garden lawn setting and then the river bank. There is also a playground area that kids can play on after the photo session.
Cons: Getting into the reserve from the motorway can sometimes be a challenge during busy periods.
Best time of day for photos here: This can depend on the weather forecast and time of year but as a rule, anytime from about 2.5-2 hours before sunset is suitable before the light is lost in behind the hills.
URBAN VIBES - WELLINGTON CITY
Pros: If you’d like to showcase our beautiful city there’s no better place than the waterfront or around Cuba Street. I really like the backdrops along Leeds/Eva Street and Wigan Street.
Cons: Parking can be difficult and expensive in the city, plus dodging crowds can make it take a bit longer than other locations. You will need to walk to get to each location, which may not be suitable for families with younger children.
Best time for photos here: Late afternoon for the CBD, 1 to 2 hours before sunset along the waterfront.
ROUGH COAST LINE - BREAKER BAY, WELLINGTON
Pros: On the other end of town is the coastline that looks out to sea and a number of bays that are great for photos that tend to be really quiet with less people around. I like this spot for its grassy area as well as the beach just down the road.
Cons: This is one of the furthest away locations from my home, so this there is a slightly higher travel fee. Can also be exposed to cold southerlies.
Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset
THE BEST AFTERNOON LIGHT - REDROCKS, Owhiro Bay WELLINGTOn
Pros: Of all the sunset locations, Redrocks tends to be the most magical in Summer.
Cons: The beach area I use for photos is about 5 minutes walk from the car park. Sometimes the car park is full and there are a lot of people here in Summer time. This is one of the furthest away locations from my home, so this there is a slightly higher travel fee. Can also be exposed to cold southerlies.
Best time of day for photos here: Depending on the time of year, I suggest arriving 1 hour before sunset, sometimes you lose the light behind the hills earlier than you expect in Winter.
