A Wake Forest family mini session with GKPhoto starts at $225: up to 20 minutes, up to 5 people and 10 edited images. Wake Forest headshots start at $250. Wake Forest is 25 to 50 miles from Apex, so travel adds $100. Edited digitals and a print release come with every Wake Forest session.
Family from
$225
Headshots from
$250
Delivery
48 hours for portraits
Travel
Adds $100, by arrangement
Family and portrait
Family and portrait sessions in Wake Forest
Parking at E. Carroll Joyner Park: Visitor lot with 180+ spaces. Parking at Wake Forest Reservoir: Gravel lot at the south end, off Traditions Grande Boulevard near Wait Avenue, beside a small boat ramp.
Family sessions in Wake Forest
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
Wake Forest pairs a big park with an old college town. E. Carroll Joyner Park is 117 acres with three miles of paved trail, restored farm buildings and gardens, and the National Register historic district covers the original college campus and North Main Street. The Wake Forest Reservoir, back in Town hands since 2019, adds a 1.6-mile soft trail.
E. Carroll Joyner Park is 117 acres at 701 Harris Rd, open dawn to dusk, with three miles of paved trail. wakeforestnc.gov
The Wake Forest Reservoir was transferred back to the Town in 2019 and has a 1.6-mile soft trail. wakeforestnc.gov
Location guide
Photo spots in Wake Forest, one card each
The top places to take pictures in Wake Forest are E. Carroll Joyner Park, Wake Forest Reservoir and Wake Forest Historic District. Each of the 5 cards below carries its own permit note and source, so check the rule with the park or town before you book.
Restored farm buildings, pecan grove, gardens, a stone ribbon wall and an amphitheater.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Shade is patchy across the open ground, so your session time is matched to where the shade falls. Fall is the top season at E. Carroll Joyner Park, and old buildings glow in late light.
Field
Historic
Garden
Good for family
Good for couples
Good for large groups
Good for headshots
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
Visitor lot with 180+ spaces. Overflow at the Cottage at Olde Mill Stream, 901 Barnford Mill Road. No parking on the entry road. Restrooms in the community building. Source
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Moderate
Permit and fees. Check current rules (town page lists no photography rule; office 919-435-9560)
Tip: Some tree cover along the shoreline helps, but it moves with the sun: morning and late afternoon give the most even light. Wake Forest Reservoir rates 5 of 5 in fall, and wear comfortable shoes for uneven paths.
Lake
Woods
Good for couples
Good for family
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
Gravel lot at the south end, off Traditions Grande Boulevard near Wait Avenue, beside a small boat ramp. Portable toilet only. Source
Access
Not accessible
Shade
Some shade
Crowds
Quiet
Permit and fees. Check current rules (919-435-9560)
North Main Street and the original Wake Forest College campus area, Wake Forest, NC
National Register district (2003) covering the historic core and original college campus; North Main Street, once called Faculty Avenue, has homes in styles from 1820 to 1956.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Dense shade around the old buildings gives soft, even light, though it can run dark on overcast days, so bring lighter outfits. For Wake Forest Historic District, plan on fall if you can, and plan outfits around school colors only if you want campus to be the theme.
Historic
Campus
Good for couples
Good for headshots
Good for seniors
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
Two-hour public lots on the west side of S. White Street between E. Wait and E. Jones avenues, the town hall lot on S. Brooks Street, and diagonal spaces on E. Wait and E. Jones. Source
Shade
Plenty of shade
Crowds
Quiet
Permit and fees. Check current rules (public streets and private homes; respect private property)
15-acre town park with a playground, picnic tables and a history honoring Ailey Mae Young.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Few trees overhead here, so skip midday in summer and shoot in the last hour of light. Ailey Young Park is at its best in fall, and leave a few minutes for the kids to run before the posed frames.
Field
Good for family
Good for kids
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Shade
Low shade
Crowds
Quiet
Permit and fees. Check current rules (town page lists no photography rule; 919-435-9560)
Nine-acre town park with a playground, picnic tables, bocce court and a short greenway path.
Spring★★★★★
Summer★★★★★
Fall★★★★★
Winter★★★★★
Tip: Open sky here: the last 90 minutes before sunset is the comfortable window from June through August. Fall suits Tyler Run Park best, and choose outfits that handle a breeze.
Field
Good for family
Good for kids
Check current rules
Plan your visit
Parking
The town page says on-site parking is available. Source
Shade
Low shade
Crowds
Quiet
Permit and fees. Check current rules (town page lists no photography rule; 919-435-9560)
How much does a photographer cost in Wake Forest, NC?
Sessions in Wake Forest start at $225 for family, $200 for graduation, $250 for headshot, before NC sales tax. The quote builder adds travel to Wake Forest as its own line.
Do I need a permit in Wake Forest?
The town pages list no photography rule or fee for the parks I include. Call the Parks office at 919-435-9560 before your session. I confirm the rule for your spot before you book.
What is the best spot in Wake Forest for a toddler?
E. Carroll Joyner Park has a 180-space lot, restrooms in the community building and restored farm buildings and a pecan grove. Ailey Young Park and Tyler Run Park both have playgrounds.
Where can we shoot if it rains in Wake Forest?
Joyner Park has a community building with restrooms and vending machines, but I cannot promise indoor photo access. Ask the Parks office at 919-435-9560. Weather reschedules are always free.
Where do I park downtown?
Two-hour public lots sit on the west side of S. White Street between E. Wait and E. Jones avenues. The town hall lot on S. Brooks Street also works.
Do you charge extra to travel to Wake Forest?
Yes, $100 once per session, whatever package you pick. I send the full Wake Forest total before you book. Dates here are set by arrangement.
