Highland Park Wedding photo location
A photographer's perspective - by Neil Cowley
Highland Park has numerous and varied locations for wedding photography opportunities, some free and some on a pay for reservation basis. My primary concern as a photographer is to capture light. While there are other locations in the park that may be interesting for archetectural or weather stability reasons, its hard to beat the hills and paths for the variance of light they can provide.
The photo below was shot at the overlook with a southwestern sunset in the background (view map to get your bearnings).
These shots from a late fall evening are much different than the playful spots of sun and shade available in the summer months like the shots below.
View Chrissy's late summer outdoor wedding at Highland park Rochester, NY
The open vista of the outlook provides an opportunity for a late evening group shot with a vista or sunset in the backround.
The high level of contrast in the scenic view and the wedding party can be a technical challenge for your photographer so be sure to let them know if you want to attempt something similar so that they can have the needed gear available. The miriad of options presented by the park should give you plenty to work with, but if you're concerned about rain you may want to reserve the Lamberton Conservancy for indoor photos, or the Sunken Gardens at Warner Castle for a more traditional or archetectural look.
Offical Info:
Best known as the home of the famous Lilac Festival, Highland Park has a history as colorful as its 500 varieties of flowering shrubs. The Lilac Festival, held in May each year, draws visitors from all over the world to see Highland Park's collection of lilacs in full bloom. This spring celebration features flowers, food, and entertainment.
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted to seem like a natural occurrence of trees, shrubs and flowers, Highland Park is actually a completely planned--and planted--arboretum or "tree garden". In addition to over 1200 lilac shrubs, the park boasts a Japanese Maple collection, 35 varieties of sweet-smelling magnolias, a barberry collection, a rock garden with dwarf evergreens, 700 varieties of rhododendron, azaleas, mountain laurel and andromeda, horse chestnuts, spring bulbs and wildflowers and a large number of trees. The park's pansy bed features 10,000 plants, designed into an oval floral "carpet" with a new pattern each year.