Tips for Shooting in Parks & Public Areas

 One of the most versatile portrait spots in the city.

Features:

• Stone walls
• Wooden bridges
• Ponds
• Forest trails
• Industrial brick buildings

Best for:

• Engagement
• Lifestyle portraits
• Family sessions
  
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Permit Fee: $350 (HST Included)

 This is one of Toronto’s most cinematic portrait locations.

Features:

• Roman-style columns
• Stone ruins
• Large lawns
• Lake Ontario views

Best for:

• Engagement
• Maternity
• Editorial portraits

Permit Fee:  $485.47 (HST Included)

 A secret downtown luxury look.

Features:

• Historic iron gates
• Stone architecture
• Beautiful gardens

Best for:

• Elegant engagement photos
• Professional portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

 One of the most popular lifestyle portrait spots.

Features:

• Huge trees
• Open grassy fields
• Soft evening light

Best for:

• Family photos
• Casual couples
• Lifestyle portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

 Perfect for urban portraits.

Features:

• Cobblestone streets
• Brick architecture
• String lights
• Historic alleyways

Best for:

• Engagement sessions
• Fashion-style portraits

Permit Fee: $295 (HST Included)

 Probably the most dramatic natural portrait location in Toronto.

Features:

• Cliffs
• Beaches
• Lake views
• Open sky

Best for:

• Engagement
• Romantic portraits
• Maternity

Permit Fee: Not Required

One of the best seasonal portrait locations.

Features:

• Cherry blossoms (spring)
• Fall foliage
• Forest trails
• Ponds

Best for:

• Family photos
• Maternity
• Engagement

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A hidden gem for European-style architecture.

Features:

• Ivy-covered buildings
• Gothic architecture
• Stone archways
• Courtyards

Best for:

• Elegant portraits
• Engagement sessions

Permit Fee: $500 (HST Included) 

 Best Toronto skyline portraits.

Features:

• Perfect CN Tower view
• Waterfront
• Dramatic sunsets

Best for:

• Engagement photos
• Urban portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

 Perfect for relaxed, coastal portraits.

Features:

• Boardwalk
• Sand dunes
• Lake Ontario
• Soft sunset light

Best for:

• Family sessions
• Couples
• Maternity

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A modern urban park photographers quietly love.

Features:

• Rolling hills
• Wild grass
• City skyline views

Best for:

• Engagement sessions
• Casual portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A hidden garden gem.

Features:

• Stone staircases
• Beautiful flower beds
• Archways

Best for:

• Engagement
• Maternity
• Romantic portraits

Permit Fee:  $173.36 (HST Included) 

 A hidden trail between historic buildings near the University area.

Features:

• Tree canopy tunnel
• Stone bridges
• Soft natural light
• Very quiet compared to nearby streets

Best for:

• Engagement sessions
• Romantic portraits
• Fall photos

Permit Fee: $500 (HST Included) 

 One of the most modern looking bridges in Toronto.

Features:

• White arch architecture
• Lake views
• Skyline in distance
• Dramatic symmetry

Best for:

• Couples portraits
• Fashion-style portraits
• Sunset sessions

Permit Fee: $173.36

  A forest location that feels like you're hours outside the city.

Features:

• Forest trails
• Wooden bridges
• Natural light filtering through trees
• Rolling hills

Best for:

• Adventure-style couples shoots
• Lifestyle portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

  A quiet trail photographers with scenic paths.

Features:

• Wooden fences
• Nature paths
• Soft greenery
• Great fall colours

Best for:

• Family sessions
• Engagement shoots

Permit Fee: Not Required

An urban architecture portrait spot under the highway.

Features:

• Concrete structures
• Industrial aesthetic
• Leading lines
• Unique shadows

Best for:

• Fashion portraits
• Editorial engagement photos

Permit Fee: Not Required

  An incredible skyline location most tourists miss.

Features:

• Perfect Toronto skyline view
• Rolling green hills
• Beautiful sunset light

Best for:

• Engagement sessions
• Couples portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

This place looks like a European palace.

Features:

• Art Deco architecture
• Stone staircases
• Lake views
• Grand columns

Best for:

• Luxury engagement portraits
• Editorial-style photography

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A waterfront park photographers rarely use.

Features:

• Wooden boardwalks
• Lake Ontario
• Long grass fields
• Quiet sunset views

Best for:

• Romantic portraits
• Maternity sessions

Permit Fee: Not Required

  A tropical greenhouse right in downtown.

Features:

• Exotic plants
• Palm trees
• Natural window light
• Glass architecture

Best for:

• Winter portrait sessions
• Editorial portraits

Permit Fee: $693.46

 The bridges and reflections on the water create very cinematic engagement photos, especially during golden hour.  

Features:

• Large pond and scenic waterfront
• Wooden bridges and walking paths
• Trees with strong fall colors
• Close to historic Unionville

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Couples portraits
• Family sessions
• Fall mini sessions

Permit Fee:  $172.89 

Historic heritage streetscapes lined with charming storefronts and classic architecture. 

Features:

• Historic village architecture
• Boutique storefronts and cafes
• Cobblestone style streets
• Nearby pond and park

Best For:

• Engagement shoots
• Pre-wedding photos
• Lifestyle portraits
• Proposal sessions

Permit Fee:  $172.89 

 This location gives a “forest park” look without leaving the city.

Features:

• River and wetlands
• Scenic trails
• Wooden bridges
• Large natural landscape

Best For:

• Family portraits
• Maternity sessions
• Nature-style engagement shoots

Permit Fee: Not Required

It provides unique heritage buildings and rural aesthetics rarely found in urban parks. 

Features:

• 25-acre open-air heritage museum
• 30+ historic buildings
• Barns and vintage architecture
• Open farmland

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Wedding portraits
• Vintage styled shoots

Permit Fee: Required

 A stunning white cathedral with grand domes and elegant European-style architecture that creates a dramatic and sophisticated backdrop for portrait photography.

Features:

• Iconic white Byzantine-style cathedral
• Large domes and ornate architectural details
• Stone walkways and grand entrances
• Open courtyard and surrounding greenery

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Elegant couple portraits
• Wedding or pre-wedding photos

Permit Fee: Not Required

A quiet wooded park with scenic trails and bridges that offers a peaceful natural setting for portrait photography.

Features:

• Forest trails
• Wooden bridges
• Stream and nature scenery
• Secluded photo spots

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Family portraits
• Nature photography

Permit Fee: Not Required

A neighbourhood park with landscaped gardens, open fields, and quiet walking paths that create a simple and natural portrait setting.

Features:

• Green open space
• Trees and landscaped gardens
• Walking trails
• Quiet park atmosphere

Best For:

• Family sessions
• Children’s portraits
• Mini sessions

Permit Fee:  $172.89 

 One of Richmond Hill’s most popular parks featuring gardens, bridges, and heritage buildings that create multiple scenic portrait backdrops. 

Features:

• Waterfall feature
• Arched bridge
• Wedding garden and gazebo
• Rose gardens and open fields
• Heritage buildings

Best For:

• Engagement shoots
• Wedding portraits
• Family sessions

Permit Fee: $149.60

A picturesque park centered around a large pond with scenic views, walking trails, and vibrant fall colours. 

Features:

• Large pond
• Gazebo
• Boardwalk and trees
• Excellent fall colors

Best For:

• Family sessions
• Engagement photos
• Seasonal mini sessions

Permit Fee: $149.60

 A beautiful natural park with open fields, a pond, and heritage buildings that create a rustic countryside feel.  

Features:

• Large pond
• Barns and heritage farmhouse
• Trails and fields
• Forest areas

Best For:

• Maternity sessions
• Family portraits
• Rustic engagement shoots

Permit Fee: $149.60

A unique park surrounding a historic observatory with expansive fields and forest trails that create dramatic portrait landscapes. 

Features:

• Observatory dome
• Large open meadows
• Forest trails
• Historic architecture

Best For:

• Engagement shoots
• Editorial portraits
• Creative portrait sessions

Permit Fee: $437.20  

A small charming park featuring a white gazebo and historic cottage that create a romantic setting for portraits.

Features:

• White gazebo
• Heritage cottage
• Landscaped gardens
• Quiet surroundings

Best For:

• Engagement photos
• Romantic couple portraits
• Proposal photography

Permit Fee: $149.60

A beautiful lakeside park with boardwalks, waterfront views, and open sky that creates stunning sunset portraits.

Features:

• Lakeside boardwalk
• Waterfront scenery
• Open sky views
• Scenic walking paths

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Couples portraits
• Sunset photography

Permit Fee: $149.60

 A charming historic landmark in downtown Newmarket featuring classic architecture that adds timeless character to portrait sessions.

Features:

• Historic brick building
• Elegant architectural details
• Steps and pillars for posing
• Downtown streets nearby

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Couples portraits
• Editorial or classic portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A unique historic stone railway arch that provides a dramatic architectural backdrop surrounded by greenery.

Features:

• Stone arch bridge
• Historic railway structure
• Natural surroundings
• Textured stone background

Best For:

• Engagement photos
• Creative portraits
• Dramatic couple sessions

Permit Fee: Not Required

A vibrant historic downtown street filled with charming storefronts, brick buildings, and cafés that create a romantic small-town atmosphere.

Features:

• Heritage storefronts
• Brick streets and sidewalks
• Boutique shops and cafés
• Evening lights and ambiance

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Lifestyle portraits
• Urban-style couple shoots

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A picturesque waterfront park with a boardwalk, bridges, and peaceful lake views perfect for natural and romantic portraits.

Features:

• Lakeside boardwalk
• Wooden bridges
• Waterfront views
• Walking trails and greenery

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Family portraits
• Maternity photography

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A scenic trail system with river views, bridges, and lush greenery offering a natural setting for relaxed outdoor portraits.

Features:

• Riverside pathways
• Wooden bridges
• Tree-lined trails
• Natural landscape

Best For:

• Engagement photos
• Family sessions
• Lifestyle portraits

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A quiet park with open green space and wooded trails that creates a peaceful backdrop for natural portrait sessions.

Features:

• Large open fields
• Forested trails
• Natural scenery
• Quiet atmosphere

Best For:

• Family portraits
• Children’s sessions
• Maternity photography

Permit Fee: Not Required

 A beautiful nature reserve with boardwalks, wetlands, and expansive water views that create a serene and scenic portrait location.

Features:

• Boardwalk trails
• Wetlands and marshland
• Water reflections
• Forest pathways

Best For:

• Engagement sessions
• Nature portraits
• Sunset photography

Permit Fee: $100-125