Your guide to finding the perfect spot to capture your family memories.

The Dandenong's is a beautiful hilly part of the world to the SE of Melbournes suburbs, filled with cute little towns with nice cafes, toy stores and lolly shops. Its a great are to explore and make a little day trip of it, with a photo shoot in the morning or afternoon.

Here's your guide to my favourite locations for family and maternity shoots, with some examples.

The arboretum

Famous for its beautiful big trees that look a bit like oversized Christmas trees, this lookout has a stunning view and lovely grassy areas to frolic and play in. It also has a great climbing tree for active kids. Perfect for kids of any age, also beautiful for maternity shoots. The best time of day here is either early in the morning between 8-10am, the earlier the better in summer. Or late in the afternoon / a couple of hours before sunset as the sun does dip quite early behind the hill.

Couple sharing a kiss in a lush green park with tall cypress trees while a child runs in the foreground.

Family of five posing happily in front of a large tree in a lush forest, with children climbing and parents smiling.

A happy family of three enjoys an outdoor moment, with parents smiling at their toddler against a scenic green hillside.

Couple embracing in a sunlit meadow surrounded by lush green forest trees during golden hour outdoors.

The forest trail

This beautiful hidden spot in Kallista is quiet and a bit unknown, other than a few people walking the trail. There is a lovely area quite close to the road where you park your car with tall trees and a grassy meadow for your picnic rug, and then a little forest trail with beautiful ferns and greenery, you might even spot a lyrebird! bonus is the cafe across the road is cute and not too busy. This spot is beautiful all year round.

Family enjoying a sunny picnic on a blanket in a lush green forest park setting.

A couple kisses while holding their toddler in a sunlit forest clearing with tall eucalyptus trees.

Family of three smiling on a colorful blanket in a sunlit forest park, with parents and baby girl in a red bow.

A young family walks hand-in-hand with their toddler along a sunlit forest path surrounded by lush green ferns.

A happy young family with a baby poses on a sunlit forest path surrounded by lush green ferns and tall trees.

The wild meadow

This beautiful park in Kalorama on the side of the mountain has a wildness about it, there are some grassier areas where you can run but it is quite steep but the scenery and the wildflowers make up for it! Perfect for maternity or a family who loves a bit of an adventure. It's only open certain hours, so it's better in the morning or for sunsets in winter. In summer the park closes too early for sunset. This park is my favourite place to shoot in spring when its full of tiny wildflowers (if they haven't mowed too much)

Family walking together in a sunlit green meadow surrounded by tall trees during golden hour.

Family of four enjoying a sunny day in a lush green meadow surrounded by tall trees in warm golden light.

Woman in white dress standing under sunlit green trees in a lush garden setting.

A smiling woman sits on a colorful blanket in a green meadow with two young children beside her.

The autumn wonderland

This area used to be an old golf course, it's located in Olinda behind a beautiful big natural playground which is a good place to get the kids wiggles out before or after your session. There is also a really cute cafe that does good coffees and toasties. This is my favourite place for photo shoots in autumn because the colours of the leaves are stunning, there is also a nice view behind the park.