Durham Region is a regional municipality in Southern Ontario that forms the East end of the Greater Toronto Area, and includes cities and towns such as Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Uxbridge and Brock. South Durham has beautiful beaches and trails with waterfront views along Lake Ontario. As you travel toward North Durham you see more rural land, passing through suburban areas and charming, small towns along the way.
With such a large landscape with so many scenic views, and of course more couples and families moving East, Durham Region is a wonderful place for photography sessions. I absolutely love photographing weddings and events and family photography sessions in Durham. I’ve even photographed multiple sessions for birth photography in Durham!
Many of my clients who live in Durham Region have asked which outdoor locations would be best for photography, and while I highly encourage couples and families to select locations that they’ve spent time in and are meaningful to them, I can totally understand their request for help in finding the perfect scenic place. I’ve compiled a list below with some of my favourite photography locations in Durham Region along with images from previous sessions!
Sorted by city/town:
Pickering
Engagement Lifestyle Session at Freshman’s Bay East Lighthouse
Pickering Beachfront Park
Pickering, Ontario
Pickering’s Beachfront Park is definitely an exciting place to be during the warmer months! There are so many beautiful spots to see and take photos around. At the end of Liverpool Road, you’ll first pass through the nautical village with quaint stores and local street vendors before you get to the public parking lot. The entire area feels very nautical, as it is surrounded with marinas, yacht clubs and boat docks. Within walking distance, you will be able to see other beautiful tourist spots such as Pickering’s Millennium Square, and the Freshman’s Bay Lighthouses.
Features: Public parking, nautical vibe, nautical storefronts, marinas, beachfront, waterfront view, variety
Consider: Can get busy in the Summer, full parking, bugs/mosquitoes at certain times of day
Engagement Lifestyle Session at Pickering Beachfront Park
Other Pickering Locations:
- Altona Forest
- Seaton Hiking Trail (Whitevale Park Entrance)
Ajax
Family Lifestyle Session at Trans-Canada Trail in Ajax
Trans-Canada Trail (Old Kingston Road Entrance)
Pickering-Ajax, Ontario
At the West end of Old Kingston Road is a bridged entrance to a cute, naturesque walking trail – it is just a tiny section of the large network of multi-use recreational trails known as the Trans-Canada Trail. After the first bridge, is a wide trail with small wooden area, which makes for great photos already! Lay a blanket down or get up and move! I’ve never experienced many people using the trail at once – so the trail feels like it’s all yours! After the wooden trail area you reach a second, larger bridge (in above photo) over a wide ravine that is just beautiful for photos, whether photographing on it or using it in the background. The trail continues on and branches off, but I’ve only had to use it up to here because the photo opps were already so great.
Side note: You could even start or end your session along Old Kingston Road! It is small strip of shops with a quaint, “Main St.” vibe at the Pickering-Ajax border. This could offer your session two different looks, all within the same area!
Features: Public parking, quiet and not busy, walking trail, naturesque, large bridges, ravine, grassy area for sitting
Consider: Allergies (seasonal/environmental), bugs/mosquitoes at certain times of day
Family Lifestyle Session at Rotary Park
Rotary Park
Ajax, Ontario
One of my absolute favourite locations for Durham Region photography. Perfect for individuals, couples, and groups such as families. There is a lot of variety in this location, with nature areas, cemented trails, Lake Ontario waterfront views, large and open grass areas, as well as small beaches with rocks and tree stumps/logs to sit on. Rotary Park Pavillion and playground is at the heart of the park, and it is also where the Trans-Canada Trail meets the Waterfront Trail. Duffins Creek is just to the West side of the park, with more scenic, nature views. There was a large bridge that connected trails, however, I heard they may have removed or renovated that part of the park.
Features: Lots of variety, large and open grass areas, cemented trails, nature elements to use such as rocks and logs and park benches, great space for children to run and play, small beaches, lots of parking, large park
Consider: Allergies (seasonal/environmental), bugs/mosquitoes at certain times of day, can get quite busy, I heard the city will start charging a parking fee, however I have not looked into this myself yet
Family Lifestyle Session at Rotary Park
Family Photography Session at Heber Down Conservation Area
Heber Down Conservation Area
Ajax, Ontario
Heber Down is full of opportunities for photography!
Features: Lots of nature variety, large and open grass areas, nature elements such as large trees and logs, cemented trails, wooden trails, bridges, great space for children to run and play, ample parking
Consider: Allergies (seasonal/environmental), bugs/mosquitoes at certain times of day, paid parking lot, reserved lots/areas for private reservations
Playing in the trees at Heber Down Conservation Area
Family Photos at Heber Down Conservation Area
Prom portrait sessions by the Gazebo at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility
Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility
Ajax, Ontario
I absolutely love photographing weddings, events and portraits at Deer Creek Golf Course in Ajax! The clubhouse/banquet hall looks like a beautiful, large mansion at the top of an uphill winding road, and everything that surrounds it is so picturesque and carefully maintained. The flowerbeds in the front of the Pro Shop makes for great photos, and to the side of the facility is a lovely area with interlocking and a lovely gazebo which is a photo-op must. Outside of the grand front entrance, there is a putting practice area which can make for some fun and hilarious photos. The venue staff are great to work with and know what they are doing!
Features: Lots of parking, picturesque with variety of options, well-maintained garden/gazebo area
Consider: Permits (inquire with facility directly), weekends typically busy with members playing golf as well as weddings (who may have priority of the grounds)
Wedding photography outside of Deer Creek Golf Pro Shop – Photographed for Boundless Weddings
Other Ajax Locations:
- Greenwood Conservation Area
- Lion’s Point (Waterfront Trail)
Whitby
Family Lifestyle Session at Cullen Park in Whitby
Cullen Gardens / Cullen Central Park
Whitby, Ontario
I used to visit Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village with my family when I was a little girl. A lot has changed since then! The mini village (literally a tiny, toy village created using mini figures as a popular tourist attraction) has been closed and torn down for years, and they are still doing reconstruction on the property. However, there is still access to a large parking spot with access to the Ajax park. The parking lot is at the top, overlooking the park and start of the trails. There are lots of photo-ops here, with the interlocking area, large and hill grass areas. Below, a covered bridge goes over the ravine, which is a whole photo location itself!
Features: Public parking, large and open space with grass and greenery, covered bridge, large and accessible ravine, wooded areas
Consider: Allergies (seasonal/environmental), bugs/mosquitoes at certain times of day
Family Photos at the Cullen Park Ravine in Whitby
Family Photos at the Cullen Park Ravine in Whitby
Other Whitby Locations:
- Kiwanis Heydenshore Park
- Lynde Shores Conservation Area
