
Where to begin.
The below images and info will let you know some of my favourite photoshoot locations in Christchurch and the surrounding areas. When choosing your location I recommend considering what you will use your photos for- for example if they are going on the walls of your home, what kind of colours will suit your home style?
I have also included information on the various seasons and time of year, and how this can impact time of day for shoots and the colours and suitability. You may also need to consider accessibility of the location based on your (and your family/groups) fitness and ability levels, as some are harder to get to than others.
Above all, I encourage you to think about where is meaningful for you or your family. If you love days at the beach then this may be your perfect spot. If you love a hike in the forest or hills then this could be a really meaningful location.
There may be somewhere not on this list that comes to you as the perfect place-perhaps a favourite coffee shop or murals around town.
And of course, for most shoots there is the option of the comfort of your own home, which might be just the place.
Beach locations
Taylors mistake beach
Vibe: If you want long grass, hills, and a beautiful beach then this is the spot! So much variety all in one place, and the grass and hills are often warm and golden which is my favourite backdrop colour. You can even venture up the walking track on the hill 5 minutes to get some stunning images overlooking the ocean.
Season: Good year round, but like all Christchurch beaches it is best avoided on windy days.
Accessibility: A flat walk to the long grass, and a short walk over dunes to the sand. The lookout over the ocean is a short but steep climb.
Timing: Due to the hills I recommend starting sessions here 2 hours before sunset.
Dog friendly: Yes, away from the surf club

Spencer Park beach
Vibe: There are beautiful big trees and a forest vibe close to the carpark, and then a short walk over the dunes leads you to a stunning wild looking beach, with grassy dunes. This is one of the quietest beaches I use, which is great for those who are more camera shy.
Season: Good year round. On windy days it is best to avoid the beach area, but the forest still makes a lovely backdrop!
Accessibility: The beach access requires a walk over sand dunes so isn't easily accessible, however there are nice greenery backdrops right near the carpark.
Timing: Due to the tall trees I recommend this spot two hours before sunset.
Dog friendly: Yes, away from the surf club.

Waimairi beach
Vibe: A foresty walkway and toitoi near the road area, then a walk over sand dunes leads you to another wild looking beach with stunning grassy dunes.
Season: Great year round but best avoided in high wind.
Accessibility: The beach is a short but steep walk over dunes so not easily accessible for those with mobility issues.
Timing: I recommend starting 1.5 hours before sunset.
Dog friendly: Yes, away from the surf club.

Waikuku beach
Vibe: A gorgeous walk through the forest and over the dunes leads you to beautiful long grass and a stunning beach. There are also pretty fields near the carpark that can be used. Lots of variety!
Season: Great year round but the beach is best avoided in the wind.
Accessibility: A short but steep walk over sand dunes, tricky for those who have mobility issues.
Timing: Due to very tall trees the sun disappears early. Great to start 2-3 hours before sunset (perfect for little ones who need an earlier bed time!)
Dog friendly: Yes, away from the surf club.

New Brighton beach
Vibe: A beautiful wild beach with pretty grassy sand dunes in some spots. This is a more popular beach so sometimes there can be lots of people around especially in Summer.
Season: Great year round but avoid in bad wind.
Accessibility: Probably the most accessible beach option as it has the shortest walk from carpark to sand.
Timing: Starting around 1.5 hours before sunset is usually best.
Dog friendly: yes, away from the surf club

Hills
Sugarloaf Port Hills
Vibe: Beautiful golden hills overlooking the city, and a stunning sunset spot. Lots of long grass, and a warm golden vibe.
Season: Great year round, but very exposed to wind so anything more than a light breeze and it's best avoided. It can also be chilly so bring layers!
This spot is a popular lookout and walk so expect other people to be there!
Accessibility: The hills are uneven ground, but close to the carpark area.
Timing: Best to start 1-1.5 hours before sunset as there can be low cloud making sunset appear earlier.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash

Port Hills
(Carpark between sugarloaf lookout and jaymees lake on summit road.)
Vibe: A beautiful sunset spot overlooking the water and hills.
Season: Great year round ,but sensitive to wind.
Accessibility: Very uneven ground so not great if you have mobility issues. however, photo spots are right by carpark.
Timing: Best to meet about 1.5 hours before sunset due to angle of sun.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash

John Britten reserve
Vibe: Another Port Hills spot but you don't really see the sunset here. Sometimes has a cool moody vibe. Lots of cool rocks and grass.
Season: Greener in wetter months so best to go in the dry season if you want golden tones. Exposed to wind so best avoided in more than a light breeze.
Accessibility: Uneven ground so not great for limited mobility.
Timing: Best to start around 2 hours before sunset.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash

Cavestream reserve Flock Hill
Vibe: Stunning golden hills and long grass. Very warm tones especially in the dryer months.
Season: Beautiful year round but more golden tons in dryer season. A little exposed to wind but only an issue in high winds.
Accessibility: Some hill walking required from carpark.
Timing: Best to meet around 2 hours before sunset due to the sun going behidn the hills.
Dog friendly: No.

Castle Hill
Vibe: A popular tourist attraction, this spot has stunning huge rocks and long grass. A cool location for those wanting a slightly different photo spot.
Season: Fine year round, but grass colour changes between seasons so go for dryer seasons for golden tones.
Accessibility: A long walk from the carpark, and involves hills and steps. For limited mobility we could stay on the flat areas close to the carpark, using rocks as a distant backdrop,
Timing: Best to start 1.5-2 hours before sunset.
Dog friendly: yes, in some areas and on leash

Rivers and Lakes
Ashley Gorge
Vibe: A beautiful river location with sand, pebbles, clear water, trees, grassy fields, and roads. Lots of variety and pretty sunlight.
Season: Great most of the year if you don't mind lush green grass. Water level can effect river but not usually an issue. In Winter the sun doesn't really get above the hill so recommend avoiding.
Accessibility: Grass and road areas for photos right by carpark. A small walk onto the pebbles at rivers edge.
Timing: The sun disappears early here due to the hills, so best to meet 2-3 hours before sunset time. This location also closes at 7pm which effects availability.
Dog friendly: Yes, under effective control

Lake Lyndon
Vibe: A wishlist photo spot that I'm yet to use! A beautiful lake which has hills and long grass as a backdrop, and in Winter is occasionally coated in snow!
Season: Great spot to use year round, long brown grass in dryer months, beautiful red trees in Autumn, and a chance of snow in Winter if that's your vibe!(flexibility required for this!)
Accessibility: Some spots are very close to the carpark, with the option of walkign further away for more variety. Very slippery in the snow/Winter, so good mobility and footwear is recommended.
Timing: Due to the hills starting 2-3 hours before sunset is recommended
Dog friendly: yes, under effective control

Oxford camp and river
Vibe: Park in the camp area for some hill backdrops and field/tree photos, then a walk down to the stony riverbed. Can see the mountains in the distance from one spot.
Season: Good year round, but water levels may affect river access.
Accessibility: Can park in the camp area for easy access, but to get to river you need to walk a little on the stones.
Timing: Best to start about 1 hour before sunset
Dog friendly: Yes, under effective control

City centre/Urban
Gardens/fields
Christchurch botanic gardens
Vibe: A large public garden area with lots of grass, paths, various trees and lots of flowers depending on season.
Season: Some beautiful red and orange trees in Autumn, and lots of flowers at certain times during Spring make for lovely backdrops. For a green grassy vibe it is available year round.
Accessibility: Can park right by bridge into the gardens and then how far you walk depends on what trees/flowers etc you want to see. Paths make for flat ground so reasonably accessible.
Timing: Beautiful in the last hour or two before sunset on a bright day, but due to lots of trees this can be an option at other times of day too.
Dog friendly: No dogs allowed.

Hagley park
Vibe: Fields, paths, and lots of trees.
Season: Best in Autumn due to the beautiful red and orange trees and leaves on the ground in some areas.
Accessibility: Flat and various options for parking, plus lots of paths mean no tricky walks.
Timing: Lovely in the last hour or two before sunset, but due to lots of trees shade means it can work at other times of day too.
Dog friendly: Yes, under effective control and away from certain spots

Halswell Quarry
Vibe: The rocky backdrop of the quarry is a cool point of difference, then lots of grass and trees make this a versatile spot especially if you like greenery.
Season: Stays quite green year round. Not many Autumn trees. Doesn't vary much by season. A good option on a windy day as it is reasonably sheltered.
Accessibility: Can park right by the end of the quarry for easy access and an almost completely flat photo area.
Timing: Great in the last two hours before sunset
Dog friendly: Yes, under effective control

Abberley park
Vibe: A park with gardens and pathways, and various different areas to explore. Has an almost secret garden vibe.
Season: Pretty in Spring when the flowers are blooming! Otherwise very green.
Accessibility: Flat in almost all areas with some paths in certain spots.
Timing: Best in the last hour before sunset
Dog friendly:yes, on leash and away from playground

Kaituna Quarry reserve
Vibe: Stunning long grass, hills, and a cool rock feature make this a gorgeous sunset spot with golden tones.
Season: Great year round
Accessibility: A longer walk from the carpark make this less easily accessible
Timing: Best in the last hour before sunset
Dog friendly: No dogs.

Greendale Arboretum
Vibe: A historic spot with grassy fields and lots of tall trees of various kinds
Season: Best in Autumn as there are lots of gold and orange trees and fallen leaves
Accessiblitiy: Uneven ground without pathways, but not too steep. Recommend boots as it can be muddy at times.
Timing: Best in the last two hours before sunset
Dog friendly: no dogs.

Monavale gardens
Vibe: Grassy fields and manicured pretty gardens to explore. If you're a lover of lots of colour this could be a great spot.
Season: Beautiful flowers in certain months, especially in Spring and Summer
Accessibility: Flat in most parts with pathways in some areas make this mostly accessible easily
Timing: Best in the last hour before sunset
Dog friendly: yes, on leash

Forests
McHughes Darfield
Vibe: A big walk through forest with a few small clearings
Season: Green year round so not really affected by season
Accessibility: A flat wide forest track through bush
Timing: It can be quite dark due to all the trees, so best during the day when sun is coming in the most
Dog friendly: Yes, under effective control

Indoors
Prebbleton studio
Vibe: A beautiful neutral studio that can be hired for simple portraits
Season: Year round
Accessibility: Can park right outside door, making great access
Timing: Best between 10am and 3pm
Dog friendly: No dogs.
