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your images; the background of your picture should add to, not detract from, the primary subject of your child.
Gardens
The reward of photographing children in the park is it gives them a place to play right when they’re done smiling. AMANDA KISHLAR/SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT
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Flowers are beautiful, colorful and vibrant, providing a nice background for photographs. Luckily, WNC has several perfectly maintained gardens to choose from. The Botanical Garden at UNCA is another location that Hood recommends. As a local nonprofit, there is no admission charge (though donations are accepted and there is a membership program), so it is a budget-friendly option. And while the flowers are one of the most obvious advantages of this location, Tony says, “It has a small stream as well that provides a great photo op.” N.C. Arboretum is another location for a kid-friendly photo shoot. Flowers, landscaping and scenery abound, and while there is usually a parking fee, the fee is waived on the first Tuesday of
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each month. Cochran calls the Arboretum one of her favorite places to shoot, saying, “It is very affordable, and there are tons of photo opportunities.” The Arboretum is a large place and can make for a longer visit, so charge your batteries and have an extra memory card in your camera bag if you plan to visit.
Nature
Western North Carolina is one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the world. The mountains that surround Asheville are fascinating, and how better to showcase your children than to also feature the landscape they call home? “The Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Forest, and Dupont Falls are ... great places to capture kids' sense of adventure,” Cochran says. Set out for a day in the woods, kids and camera in tow, and you will come away with some fantastic pictures. Whether your children like climbing trees, wading in rivers, scaling rocks or just ambling on trails, the forests of Western North Carolina will make for a beautiful environment to capture smiles of the most natural kind.