(Sydney Park vs Camperdown Memorial Park vs Sir Joseph Banks Park)
If your dream family photos involve rolling hills, leafy trees, wide open space, and kids free to run around, an outdoor adventure session might be perfect for you.
At Lion & Cub Photography, my outdoor family photography sessions are relaxed, playful, and connection-focused — with beautiful environmental portraits that feel natural, timeless, and full of life.
In this guide, I’m sharing three of my favourite locations for outdoor family photography in Sydney:
✅ Sydney Park
✅ Camperdown Memorial Park
✅ Sir Joseph Banks Park
Each location has its own vibe, so you can choose the one that suits your family best.
Why choose an outdoor adventure family session?
Outdoor sessions are perfect for families who want portraits that feel:
- joyful and relaxed
- natural (not stiff or overly posed)
- full of movement and real laughter
- connected and story-driven
- cinematic and “you in your world”
They’re also brilliant for little ones who don’t love sitting still — because there’s plenty of space to explore.
1) Sydney Park — a secret forest in the city
Sydney Park is an absolute favourite for local families who love an expansive, open landscape look. The rolling green hills create the most gorgeous backdrop and give your images that natural, “storybook” feeling.
What I love most about Sydney Park is the way the light moves through the trees. It’s gentle and dappled, creating a natural glow that feels calm and timeless. With the forest backdrop softly melting into bokeh, your images have depth, warmth, and that signature “wild and beautiful” feel. It peeks through the trees in the most flattering way, giving you that dreamy, sun-dappled glow without harsh shadows or squinty eyes. The forest backdrop also creates beautiful creamy bokeh, so your images feel warm, artistic and full of depth.
It’s the perfect location for:
- kids who love to run and explore and pick up sticks
- families who want scenic portraits with lots of depth
- relaxed, playful moments without feeling crowded
- a mix of wide environmental shots + close cuddly portraits
- The Cub Chronicles one year shoot
- A combination of studio with park as it’s opposite the studio
Best for: energetic kids, larger families, toddlers who need space, families with pets
Vibe: woodland, dreamy, shaded, bokeh-heaven
Best times: 9.30 am to 11.30 am or later in the afternoon light from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Studio + Park Combo Option:
My studio is directly opposite Sydney Park, so you can choose a studio + park combo session — starting with relaxed portraits in the studio, then heading across the road for that dreamy woodland light and natural, playful moments outdoors.
2) Camperdown Memorial Park — leafy Inner West magic
Camperdown Memorial Park is perfect if you want something close to the city with a softer, more intimate feel. Think beautiful trees, gentle greenery and a relaxed Inner West vibe, ideal for families who want images that feel warm and connected, modern with nearby laneways for urban shots.
It’s a gorgeous choice for:
- Leafy park vibes with big trees, dappled light and relaxed space for kids to explore
- Beautiful golden hour glow filtering through the trees
- Urban add-on option: wander into the nearby streets for fun graffiti + city texture (perfect for older kids + families who want something different)
Best for: families who love shade + trees, smaller kids, perfect with pets
Vibe: Green, gritty, gorgeous
3) Sir Joseph Banks Park — water feature + lake vibes
If your family loves a little variety (and kids who are fascinated by water), Sir Joseph Banks Park is a gorgeous option. It features a water feature and lake, which adds a beautiful reflective softness to your photos and gives kids something fun and engaging to explore.
This location is amazing for:
- families who want a slightly different look from the classic “park session”
- kids who love exploring bridges, water edges and open paths
- a mix of greenery + water views for variety
- environmental portraits with extra texture and atmosphere
- An in-between location between Eastern Suburbs and Inner West
Best for: curious kids, families who want variety, nature lovers
Vibe: fresh, open, playful, with a dreamy water element
What time of day is best for outdoor family photos?
For the most flattering light (and the most beautiful glow), I recommend:
✨ Golden hour — the last hour before sunset.
Golden hour gives you:
- soft, warm light
- no harsh shadows
- a glowy, cinematic feel
- relaxed energy (and often cooler temps too!)
If you have very small children and sunset is too late, you could consider a quiet day at home and an early dinner. I’ll suggest the best timing based on your family and the season.
What should we wear for an outdoor adventure session?
The easiest way to look amazing in outdoor photos is to keep things simple:
✅ Soft neutrals or earthy tones
✅ Gentle textures (linen, knit, cotton)
✅ Minimal logos and bold patterns
✅ Comfort + movement-friendly outfits (so kids can run and cuddle)
And yes — I’ll guide you on this before your session so it feels stress-free with my what to wear guide.
What to bring to your outdoor adventure session
To keep things easy, relaxed and fun, I recommend bringing:
✅ Water bottle
✅ A simple snack for kids
✅ Comfortable shoes for walking + running (closed-toe is great for little ones)
✅ A spare outfit for toddlers/preschoolers
✅ Wipes or tissues for sticky hands + runny noses
✅ Any comfort item (dummy, small toy, lovey) if your child needs it
✅ Hairbrush + spare hair tie (wind happens!)
✅ Optional: bubbles, a ball, or a favourite family game for natural play moments
Tip: I’ll keep the session moving quickly so you don’t have to carry everything — we’ll tuck bags away between little “photo moments”.
Want simple pricing?
I’ve made it easy 🤍
To keep things clear and stress-free, every outdoor family session starts with:
🐾 Cub Collection — $890
Includes your session + 10 fully retouched portraits
Then, after you view your gallery (often 80+ images), you can upgrade if you’d like:
🦁⭐ Pride Collection — $1,490 total
25 portraits + matching black & white versions
👑 Legacy Collection — $1,990 total
All final images (80+)
Ready to book your outdoor family session in Sydney?
If you’re dreaming of portraits that feel joyful, natural, and full of connection, I’d love to photograph your family.
And I’ll help you choose the perfect location, at either Sydney Park, Camperdown Memorial Park or Sir Joseph Banks Park – all Inner West gems for incredible photos you will want to proudly display in your home.