A Garner family mini session with GKPhoto starts at $225: up to 20 minutes, up to 5 people and 10 edited images. Garner headshots start at $250. Garner is 10 to 25 miles from Apex, so travel adds $50. Edited digitals and a print release come with every Garner session.
Family from
$225
Headshots from
$250
Delivery
48 hours for portraits
Travel
Adds $50, regular area
Family and portrait
Family and portrait sessions in Garner
Parking at Lake Benson Park: Ample free parking. Parking at White Deer Park and Nature Center: Several lots, two of them beside the playgrounds and picnic shelters.
Family sessions in Garner
Session
Price
Time
Includes
Mini
$225
Up to 20 min
1 location, up to 5 people, 10 edited images
Signature
$475
About 1 hour
1 to 2 locations, 30+ edited images, 1 outfit change
Garner mixes lake parks with a historic downtown. Lake Benson Park covers 64 acres with the Garner Veterans Memorial and walking trails, White Deer Park has a LEED Gold certified nature center and a wildflower meadow, and downtown has a National Register historic district along Garner Road. Both parks are open sunrise to sunset.
Lake Benson Park is at 921 Buffaloe Road, open sunrise to sunset, 64 acres with the Garner Veterans Memorial, walking trails and shelters. garnernc.gov
White Deer Park Nature Center is at 2400 State Rd. 2710, and the park keeps daylight hours. garnernc.gov
Location guide
Photo spots in Garner, one card each
The top places to take pictures in Garner are Lake Benson Park, White Deer Park and Nature Center and Downtown Garner Historic District. Each of the 4 cards below carries its own permit note and source, so check the rule with the park or town before you book. Spots marked Unconfirmed need a closer look first.
64-acre park with 1.8 miles of walking trails and the Garner Veterans Memorial.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Few trees overhead along the shoreline, so skip midday in summer and shoot in the last hour of light. Fall suits Lake Benson Park best, and bring a layer for after sunset, since open ground cools quickly.
Lake
Field
Good for family
Good for kids
Good for seniors
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
Ample free parking. Restrooms on site. A small fee applies only to reserve a picnic shelter. Source
Shade
Low shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. Check current rules (contact garnerprcr@garnernc.gov or 919-773-4442)
Town nature park with a LEED Gold certified nature center.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Dappled light on the trails can be tricky, so the spot is scouted first and you are placed where the shade is even. For White Deer Park and Nature Center, plan on fall if you can, and trail light changes fast, so scout the route before you pose.
Woods
Field
Good for family
Good for kids
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
Several lots, two of them beside the playgrounds and picnic shelters. Restrooms on site. Source
Access
Partly accessible
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. Check current rules (919-661-6982)
The town describes a National Register historic district along Garner Road, from east of New Rand Road to the Garner Performing Arts Center.
Downtown has cafes and a Social District.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Sun-exposed around the old buildings: before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. keeps summer sessions comfortable. Fall is the top season at Downtown Garner Historic District, and weekday mornings and Sunday evenings are quietest.
Historic
Urban
Good for couples
Good for headshots
Check current rulesUnconfirmed
Plan your visit
Parking
The Town is adding a public lot at Rand Mill Road and Main Street (59 spaces) and 39 angled spaces on Main Street. Expect construction. Source
Housed in the former 1923 Garner High School, the center hosts community theater.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Little shade here: book within 90 minutes of sunset from June through August. Garner Performing Arts Center rates 4 of 5 in fall, and ask for a few full-length shots to show the architecture.
Sessions in Garner start at $225 for family, $200 for graduation, $250 for headshot, before NC sales tax. The quote builder adds travel to Garner as its own line.
Is there a Garner photo permit?
The Town of Garner lists no photography permit or fee for these parks. Email garnerprcr@garnernc.gov or call 919-773-4442 for Lake Benson Park, and 919-661-6982 for White Deer Park, before you book.
What is the best spot in Garner for a toddler?
Lake Benson Park has ample free parking, restrooms and two playgrounds, with a dog park and 1.8 miles of trails. White Deer Park has restrooms, two playgrounds and a nature center.
Where can we shoot if it rains in Garner?
Both Lake Benson Park and White Deer Park have picnic shelters. Lake Benson charges a small fee to reserve one. Weather reschedules are always free.
Where do I park for downtown Garner?
The Town is adding a public lot at Rand Mill Road and Main Street (59 spaces) and 39 angled spaces on Main Street. Expect some construction, and check the Town page for your date.
Do you charge extra to travel to Garner?
Yes, $50 once per session, whatever package you pick. I send the full Garner total before you book.
