Choosing the right location for your family portrait session sets the tone for your entire gallery. Whether you love wide open green spaces, elegant architectural backdrops, or quiet nature trails, Columbus has incredible spots that feel both timeless and deeply personal.
At Ana Zambrano Photography, we love locations that offer soft, beautiful lighting and enough room for your children to relax, play, and just be themselves. Here are some of our favorite parks and outdoor locations around Columbus and Grandview, Ohio, designed to make your family memories look like art.
1. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Area (Columbus)
The Vibe: Architectural grandeur, stunning seasonal flora, dramatic glasshouse
views, and lush gardens.
Why we love it: Located right in Columbus, the exterior grounds surrounding the conservatory offer a breathtaking combination of manicured botanical gardens, grand architectural elements, and vibrant natural textures. It provides an upscale, editorial backdrop that looks remarkably sophisticated when printed as custom wall art for your home.
2. Schiller Park (German Village)
The Vibe: Historic charm, lush gardens, romantic bridges, and beautiful paths.
Why we love it: Located in the heart of the historic German Village, Schiller
Park offers a wonderful mix of manicured floral gardens, old brick backdrops,
and majestic mature trees. It’s ideal for families who want a classic, elegant,
and editorial look for their portraits without leaving the city.
3. Goodale Park (Short North / Victorian Village)
The Vibe: Urban greenery, duck pond, classic gazebos, and gorgeous city
skyline glimpses.
Why we love it: As one of Columbus's oldest parks, Goodale Park brings a stunning combination of nature and historic urban architecture. The soft, filtered light coming through the large trees creates a warm, natural glow that looks breathtaking when printed on custom wall art for your home.
4. The Topiary Park (Downtown / Olde Town East)
The Vibe: Artistic, whimsical, unique, and deeply sculptural.
Why we love it: Located just minutes from downtown Columbus, the Topiary Park is famous for being the only park in the world that recreates a painting (Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte) using living topiary sculptures. It offers a wonderfully creative, textured, and sophisticated environment that brings a distinct artistic touch to family portraits.
5. Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens (The Ohio State University Area)
The Vibe: Botanical variety, quiet pathways, modern textures, and serene
natural displays.
Why we love it: If you appreciate diverse plant life, beautiful seasonal blooms,
and peaceful, well-kept hidden corners, this is a hidden gem in Columbus.
It offers a calm, private atmosphere where families can walk together, hold
hands, and let children explore naturally while we capture those fleeting moments.
A Special Mention: Remembering a Lost Treasure in Downtown Columbus
Sometimes, the most beautiful memories are made in places that hold a special history. Beyond spots like the historic Kelton House Museum and Garden, known for its stunning Victorian architecture and timeless gardens, Columbus has occasionally seen beloved hidden gems disappear. For instance, we fondly remember a charming urban rooftop park in downtown Columbus that was tragically lost after a fire broke out in its building.
It was a magical oasis that offered a unique sense of sanctuary above the streets, where we were honored to capture timeless moments like the one below. While that specific space is gone, places like the Kelton House remind us of the rich history around us, and the art we create ensures these memories live on forever.
