PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS

Photography locations in Ottawa & National Capital Region

Below is a list of 40+ Ottawa photography locations for your plan your next adventure in the city. It’s the only list you’ll ever need, so make sure to save this to refer back to (pin it to your boards or bookmark it!)
This is probably one of the most asked questions that I get, and in fact when I first moved to Ottawa, it was the first question I had as well. Much to my dismay, I found it wasn’t the easiest information to come by – very limited resources on the topic led me on a quest to make my own list. Most lists for Ottawa photography locations are around 10-15 ‘top’ places, but I wanted to make a resource for myself, and my clients to refer back to.
When preparing clients for sessions, we discuss how to choose the right location for them. Having this list of Ottawa photography locations, complete with attached photos has been a saving grace!

I have been compiling this list of Ottawa photography locations, and it was important to have corresponding photos so it took me about 3 years to come up with the first list. Now it’s been eight years and I think I have shot in most places in Ottawa.

I’ve listed the location with an image taken there, and hope that it can be of help to anyone searching for places to shoot in Ottawa + NCR. As I find more content, I will keep updating this list, so you can always check back and likely find new places listed.

All the photographs posted here are my own, it was important to me to make sure whatever photos I used were taken by me. At the end of the list I have included more Ottawa photography locations that I love but may not have photos for just yet. You can hover on the caption of each image to see more where I have linked blog posts for the full sessions, as well.

Theses Ottawa photography locations are so versatile, and unless noted, do not require a permit to photograph in (please check with the respective sources as this may change before this post is updated).

Remember when you are photographing in these locations, to be courteous of others and respect the property you are on. Leave me a comment and let me know your favourite Ottawa photography location below!

Credits: Putting this list together is by no means an easy task, so I ask to please credit with a direct link when sharing, and do not re-post on any website without permission. Photographers, you can share this with your clients via a direct link, or find the pin graphic at the end of this post!

Central Experimental Farm: Ornamental Gardens

Arboretum & Dows Lake

University of Ottawa Campus at Tabaret Hall

wedding at tabaret hall university of ottawa
Randeep + Mo’s Winter Wedding at Tabaret Hall
ottawa photography locations - university of ottawa tabaret hall engagement

Hog’s Back Park

fall engagement, styled shoot, hogs back falls
Fall Wedding Inspiration at Hog’s Back Locks

Ottawa photography locations - hogs back park

Tropical Greenhouses at the Experimental Farm

ottawa photography locations - greenhouse
Blancelle Branding Shoot

The Keg Manor

Big ass wedding bouquet - ottawa wedding photographer - Ottawa photography locations
Branding Session for Frid Wedding Boutique

Chapman Mills Conservation Area

Ottawa maternity photography in winter - chapman mills conservation (1)
Winter Maternity Session

chapman mills conservation area - ottawa photography locations - fall family photo

chapman mills conservation area - ottawa photography locations - fall family photo

The NAC: O’Born Ball Room 

ottawa photography locations
Published shoot at the NAC O’Born Room

NCC Trails in Nepean: Pinhey Forest

Pinhey forest wedding photos - snowy winter wedding ottawa - muslim wedding
Nour + Husseins Intimate Winter Wedding

Rideau Canal at University of Ottawa Campus

Ottawa photography locations - rideau canal engagement
Sara + Sean’s Engagement

Love Lock Pedestrian Bridge

love lock bridge engagement - ottawa photography locations
Sara + Sean’s Engagement Session

Nepean Point

nepean point engagement ottawa photography location
H & M’s Engagement Session

Major’s Hill Park

bride & groom strolling infront of parliament hill
Sireen & Anas’s Wedding Portraits at Major’s Hill Park
fall engagement at majors hill park
Fall engagement at Major’s Hill Park

Dow’s Lake Pavilion

dows lake pavilion engagement ottawa
Dows Lake Engagement Session
dows lake engagement photos ottawa - ottawa photography location
Sunrise engagement at Dows Lake

Canadian Museum of Nature (Permit Required Indoors)

ottawa museum of nature - photography locations

Aquatopia Conservatory (Permit Required indoors)

Hanan’s Maternity Session

Aquatopia Conservatory wedding - ottawa photo locations

 Byward Lockstation + Museum

Watson’s Mill

watsons mill - ottawa photography locations
Maternity Session at Watson’s Mill
watsons mill - ottawa photography locations
watsons mill - ottawa photography locations

The Dickinson House

Parliament Hill

parliament hill wedding ottawa
Randeep + Mo Winter Wedding

parliament hill engagement session - ottawa photography locationsDowntown Ottawa

ottawa fashion blogger - mariesbazaar - marie ernst

Sparks Street

ottawa fashion blogger - mariesbazaar - marie ernst

Baxter Conservation Area

baxters conservation - ottawa maternity photographer - white lace dress

Long Island Lockstation

Long Island Locks Engagement Session - Ottawa
Leena & Tariq’s Engagement

Claudette Cain Park

ottawa engagement photographer - photo locations barrhaven

ottawa engagement photographer - photo locations barrhaven

Bate Island

Aylmer Marina (Quebec)

 Museum of Agriculture


Gatineau Park // Mackenzie King Estate  

Andrew Haydon Park

ottawa photo locations
Petrie Island

petrie island - ottawa photo locations
Commissioner’s Park

ottawa photo locations - commissioners park
Engagement session during the Tulip Festival

Mooney’s Bay Park

mooneys bay - ottawa photo locations

Other locations:

Maple Lawn Historic Gardens
Confederation Park
Britannia Beach
Carelton University Campus
Rockcliffe Pavilion & Park
Vincent Massey Park
Billings Estate
Byward Market


Toronto & GTA

Gairloch Gardens

York University – Glendon Campus Rose Garden
Aga Khan Museum
Edward’s Gardens / The Botanical Gardens
The Distillery District
Scarborough Bluffs Escarpment
Rosetta McClain Gardens
University of Toronto St.George Campus
Ryerson University Campus
High Park
Riverdale Farm
Guildwood Park
Casa Loma
Dundas Square
Richmond Green Park