Holiday Photoshoot at Untermyer Park and Gardens, Yonkers

Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers is one of my favorite places for a holiday photoshoot. In late October and November the Walled Garden still has color, the light comes in low and warm over the Hudson side of the park, and there is old stone everywhere: fountains, columns, carved pedestals and garden walls. It looks like a European estate, and it is a short drive from Riverdale.

This is a recent mother-and-son session there. The family dressed for their holiday card: a burgundy velvet shortall with a white Peter Pan collar for him, a warm brown shirt dress for her. Here is how the session went, spot by spot, and what I'd tell any family planning holiday photos at Untermyer.

Why Untermyer works for holiday photos

Most holiday card photos are either a living room in front of the tree or a park that could be anywhere. Untermyer gives you something in between: a real place with character that still reads as "season" rather than "summer vacation."

• Fall color that lasts. The gardens hold their leaves late, so a session in late October or early November still has gold and red in the background.
• Stone and structure. The columns, fountains and garden walls give a toddler something to lean on, sit on and explore, which is half the battle with a two-year-old.
• Soft open shade. Big trees and high walls mean you can always find even light on faces, even on a bright afternoon.

Start where they're comfortable: the fountain

With little kids I never start with the "card photo." We started at the fountain so he could look at the water and get used to me and the camera. His mom brought sunglasses as a prop, which turned out to be the best idea of the day.

A prop a child already loves does more than anything I can say. Sunglasses, a favorite stuffed animal, a small wrapped present: let them play with it and photograph what happens.

The garden wall: let them move

Toddlers don't hold poses, so I don't ask them to. Against the old garden wall I just let him walk, stop, and fiddle with his sunglasses. The wall gives a clean, warm background, and the leaves on the ground add the season without any set.

The bench: the actual card photo

Once he was warmed up, we moved to a wooden bench under the trees for the photo most families want on the card: parent and child together, both looking (more or less) at the camera. It took a few tries and a lot of silliness, and the outtakes are some of my favorite frames from the day.

Columns and carved stone

Untermyer's columns and carved stone make it look like you traveled for your photos. They also make great "solo" frames of a child, the kind grandparents ask for as prints.

Tips for your own holiday photoshoot at Untermyer

• Go early in the season. Late October to mid-November has the best color. By December the gardens are mostly bare, which can still be beautiful, but plan for coats.
• Choose one rich color. Burgundy, forest green, navy or camel looks great against stone and leaves. Coordinate, don't match: one person in the strong color, everyone else in neutrals that go with it.
• Velvet, wool and knits photograph beautifully in low autumn light. Avoid big logos and neon.
• Bring a prop and a snack. A favorite toy or sunglasses for the photos, a snack for the break between spots.
• Weekend mornings are quieter. Untermyer is a public garden on North Broadway, and mornings usually mean fewer people walking through the background.
• Dress for the stone. Kids will want to climb, sit and kneel. Bring wipes and a spare pair of tights or socks.

Book a holiday session

If you want photos like these for your holiday card, there are two ways to do it:

• Christmas Family Mini: $129, 20 minutes outdoors, 3 retouched images. Made for the card photo.
• Family Portrait Session: $249, a full hour, 10 retouched images, time for several spots like this session at Untermyer.

Both are paid in full when you book, and rescheduling is free with 48 hours' notice. Pick a date on the booking page and choose Untermyer Park & Gardens as the location.

FAQ

Can you do a holiday photoshoot at Untermyer Park and Gardens? Yes. Untermyer Park & Gardens in Yonkers is one of my regular locations for family and holiday sessions, at the same price as anywhere else. Choose it as the location when you book.

When is the best time for fall or holiday photos at Untermyer? Late October through mid-November usually has the most color. Late morning and the last couple of hours before sunset give the softest light.

What should a toddler wear for holiday photos? Something comfortable in one rich color, like the burgundy velvet shortall here, with simple shoes they can walk in. Skip anything they'll tug at all session.

How long is a session? The Christmas Family Mini is 20 minutes, enough for a card photo. The Family Portrait Session is an hour, which gives a toddler time to warm up and lets us move between spots like the fountain, the garden wall and the columns.