A Raleigh headshot session with GKPhoto starts at $250 for The Professional: about 20 minutes, 2 retouched images and 48-hour delivery. Family mini sessions in Raleigh start at $225. Raleigh is 10 to 25 miles from Apex, so travel adds $50. Sessions in Raleigh are on location, not in a studio.
Headshots from
$250
Family from
$225
Delivery
48 hours for portraits
Travel
Adds $50
Headshots
Headshots in Raleigh, NC
Office sessions need no park permit.
Sessions in Raleigh are on location. I come to your Raleigh office, or we meet at a spot that suits your profile.
The City of Raleigh requires a one-year commercial photography permit that covers all City of Raleigh parks, and Wake County asks for a free registration in its parks. Source: raleighnc.gov.
Headshot sessions in Raleigh
Session
Price
Time
Includes
The Professional
$250
About 20 min
1 to 2 looks, 2 retouched images
The Personal Brand
$395
About 45 min
2 to 3 outfits or backdrops, 5 retouched images, headshot plus environmental
Send your name and email. I reply within one business day, with the price for your town and open dates. Nothing is charged to ask.
Family and portrait
Family and portrait sessions in Raleigh
Historic Yates Mill and Lake Johnson are the water options, and the Crabtree Creek entrance of Umstead State Park is the shaded one.
Parking at Dorothea Dix Park: Free paved and gravel lots near the Big Field, Flowers Field and the bottom of the Sunflower Field. Parking at WRAL Azalea Gardens: Free parking in the lot across from the gardens, per the garden's FAQ.
Family sessions in Raleigh
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
Raleigh is the Triangle's biggest menu: city parks, county parks, a state park and gardens that bloom on a schedule. WRAL Azalea Gardens blooms in spring and again in fall, the Municipal Rose Garden starts in late May and runs into autumn, and Dix Park is open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Raleigh Parks requires a one-year commercial photography permit for city parks, and Wake County asks for a free registration in its parks.
City of Raleigh says commercial film or photography in a City of Raleigh park requires a permit; it is a one-year permit that covers all City of Raleigh parks. raleighnc.gov
Dix Park is at 1030 Richardson Drive and is open dawn until dusk, seven days a week. dorotheadixpark.org
Wake County requires free online registration and a permit for client-based photo shoots in its parks, including Historic Yates Mill. wake.gov
Location guide
Photo spots in Raleigh, one card each
The top places to take pictures in Raleigh are Dorothea Dix Park, WRAL Azalea Gardens and Historic Oakwood Cemetery. Each of the 9 cards below carries its own permit note and source, so check the rule with the park or town before you book.
Tip: Wide open lawns work well for family and senior portraits. Little shade across the open ground: book within 90 minutes of sunset from June through August.
Field
Urban
Good for family
Good for couples
Good for headshots
Good for large groups
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
Free paved and gravel lots near the Big Field, Flowers Field and the bottom of the Sunflower Field. No roadside or grass parking. Accessible restrooms in the Chapel; portable restrooms at the Big Field and Flowers Field. Source
Shade
Low shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. Dix Park says professional photographers are welcome but need a Raleigh Parks commercial photography permit (one year, all city parks). Contact info on the official page. Drones only in the Big Field under FAA rules.
1.5-acre public garden with 60+ azalea varieties that bloom in spring and fall, plus a fountain used for photos.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Some tree cover among the beds helps, but it moves with the sun: morning and late afternoon give the most even light. For WRAL Azalea Gardens, plan on spring if you can, and stay on paths and lawns where allowed.
Garden
Good for couples
Good for family
Good for headshots
Good for seniors
Plan your visit
Parking
Free parking in the lot across from the gardens, per the garden's FAQ. Source
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. Garden FAQ says no reservation is needed for daytime photography; be considerate of other visitors. Weddings and events are handled separately.
Historic cemetery with landscape and plantings; personal photography is welcome.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Quiet, mature-tree backdrops. Shade around the old buildings stays cool in summer, and pale colors read best under it.
Historic
Woods
Good for couples
Good for headshots
Plan your visit
Parking
Parking at the main entrance, 701 Oakwood Ave, with a visitors center and public restroom. Source
Shade
Plenty of shade
Crowds
Quiet
Permit and fees. Official info: a special permit is required for all filmmaking and commercial photography. Call 919-832-6077. Funerals should not be photographed.
301 Pogue Street, Raleigh, NC 27607 (behind Raleigh Little Theatre)
About 1,200 roses of 60 varieties, blooming late May to autumn.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Sun-exposed here: before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. keeps summer sessions comfortable. Fall suits Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden best, and check the garden for bloom timing the day before.
Garden
Good for couples
Good for family
Good for headshots
Plan your visit
Parking
Very limited spaces beside the garden (2 accessible). Most parking is along Pogue Street. A free lot is nearby; skip spots marked permit required. Source
Shade
Low shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. City of Raleigh commercial photography permit applies in city parks; confirm this site with the city.
66.4-acre park; the city calls it the first public park in North Carolina.
Has a carousel, train, playgrounds and a theatre.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Mixed sun and shade on the sidewalks: avoid the hard light from noon to 2 p.m. in summer. Pullen Park is at its best in fall, and choose comfortable shoes and keep the walking short.
Urban
Lake
Good for family
Good for kids
Plan your visit
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Busy
Permit and fees. City of Raleigh commercial photography permit applies in city parks.
174-acre Wake County park with a restored water-powered gristmill and hiking trails.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Shade is patchy here, so your session time is matched to where the shade falls. At Historic Yates Mill County Park, wear comfortable shoes for uneven paths.
Historic
Water
Woods
Good for family
Good for couples
Good for headshots
Plan your visit
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. Wake County requires free online registration and a permit for client-based shoots. Restrictions at Yates Mill: no photography under the mill, on the dam spillway, beyond the wooden arm, or within 20 feet of the waterwheel. Max 30 people, 1 to 3 hour permits.
NC State research garden with 5,000+ plants (per local guide).
Photographers are welcome under its guidelines.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Dappled light here can be tricky, so the spot is scouted first and you are placed where the shade is even. At JC Raulston Arboretum, weekend mornings get busy, so a weekday or late afternoon is calmer.
Garden
Good for couples
Good for family
Good for headshots
Plan your visit
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. A garden rental is required if a session has mini-sessions, extra decor, runs over 30 minutes, has more than six people, is commercial, or is outside hours. No drones. No petals, confetti, sparklers or glitter. Rental contact 919-515-3132.
William B. Umstead State Park (Crabtree Creek entrance)
8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617
State park with forest and lake scenery near Raleigh.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Under the canopy on the trails, a spare layer keeps kids comfortable in the cooler months. At William B. Umstead State Park, allow time for a few shots with the water behind you.
Woods
Lake
Good for family
Good for couples
Plan your visit
Shade
Plenty of shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. NC State Parks: commercial photography (paid sessions) needs a DPR Special Activity Permit submitted to the superintendent at least 2 weeks ahead, plus a DNCR Film Permit and agreement. Fees: contact the park.
Sessions in Raleigh start at $225 for family, $200 for graduation, $250 for headshot, before NC sales tax. The quote builder adds travel to Raleigh as its own line.
How much does a Raleigh park photo permit cost?
Raleigh Parks requires a commercial photography permit for its parks. Dix Park describes it as a one-year permit covering all city parks. Check the city page for the current fee. Wake County parks such as Yates Mill need a free registration, and state parks need a Special Activity Permit and a DNCR Film Permit.
What is the best spot in Raleigh for a toddler?
Pullen Park has a carousel, a miniature train, playgrounds, free lots on Ashe Avenue and restrooms by the cafe. Lots fill early on weekends. WRAL Azalea Gardens is a 1.5-acre garden with a free lot across the street, and no reservation is needed for daytime photography.
Where can we shoot if it rains in Raleigh?
None of the Raleigh spots in this guide has a covered shelter. Historic Yates Mill has a restored gristmill and Historic Oakwood has an air-conditioned visitors center, but ask before counting on either for photos. Weather reschedules are always free.
Can we shoot at Umstead State Park?
Yes, with paperwork. Paid sessions need a State Parks Special Activity Permit submitted to the superintendent at least 2 weeks ahead, plus a DNCR Film Permit and agreement.
Do you charge extra to travel to Raleigh?
Yes, $50 once per session, whatever package you pick. I send the full Raleigh total before you book.
