Looking for the best family photography or branding photography locations in the Coromandel? Here are some of my favourite beaches, bush settings and hidden gems for relaxed, natural photo sessions.
One of the first questions I get asked when planning a family photography, branding photography or commercial photography shoot is: ‘Where should we go?
I love that question! Whether you're booking a family session, building a personal brand, or creating imagery for your business, it tells me you're already thinking about more than just showing up, you're thinking about the feel of the day. The vibe. The story you want to tell.
As a Whitianga photographer working with families, local businesses and brands, I’m lucky to have some incredible locations right on my doorstep. The Coromandel Peninsula is one of those rare places where every corner seems to offer something different - whether it’s golden beaches, hidden bays, wild coastline, native bush or a forest of pines. And for small businesses especially, that natural beauty isn't just a backdrop. It's part of your brand story. It's what makes you here, not anywhere else.
Over time, I've found myself coming back to a handful of locations that just work. For families creating memories, and for businesses and individuals who want imagery that feels authentic to this incredible corner of New Zealand.
Here are a few of my absolute favourites, and why they might be perfect for your next photo shoot.
Kuaotunu – Soft Sunset & Wild Texture
There's something very special about evenings in Kuaotunu.
As the sun drops, everything softens. The wind usually settles, and the whole beach takes on this warm, golden quality that feels a little bit magical. Those iconic bunny tails that decorate the dunes catch the evening light in the most beautiful way, and they're endlessly entertaining for little ones too.
What I love most about Kuaotunu is the beautiful mix of softness and wildness it offers. The coastline feels natural and untamed and the headland provides a lush backdrop of native bush. Yet, as the day drifts away, the dunes and grasses glow warmly in the sun’s golden haze and the world seems to slow down.
But somehow this stunning Coromandel beach doesn’t feel overly polished, which is exactly what makes the photos feel honest and alive.
For families: this is the spot for that effortless summer evening vibe. Pack snacks, let the kids run to the water's edge, and ease into the session as the day winds down. Some of my favourite family moments have happened here almost by accident, kids chasing each other through the grass, parents watching on, no one thinking about the camera at all.
For personal branding and business: if your work has a coastal, lifestyle, or creative edge (think accommodation, wellness, food, surf, or anything with a relaxed summer feel), Kuaotunu gives you imagery that stops people mid-scroll. There's a reason so many Coromandel businesses lean into this landscape. It's genuinely aspirational, and it's right on your doorstep.
This location suits: warm golden tones, movement, a relaxed barefoot aesthetic, and brands that want to feel like summer.
Matarangi – Pines, Stillness & Winter Light
Matarangi is renowned for being one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s hotspots in the summer season, but in the cooler months, this beach is seriously underrated and I'll keep saying it until everyone believes me.
There's a stillness to this place in winter and autumn that you just don't get during the busy summer months. The pine trees whisper quietly, the beach is often deserted, and you get this sense that the whole stretch of coastline belongs to just you.
For families: that calm makes a huge difference, especially for little ones who feel overwhelmed by busy, bustling spots. The earthy tones among the trees, the sandy track through to the beach, the low autumn sun reflecting off the water, it's a really special combination. Teens and older kids who might feel a bit self-conscious tend to relax here too, because the unhurried pace takes the pressure off.
For personal branding and business: if you want imagery that feels considered and a little different from the typical bright-beach aesthetic, Matarangi delivers something really distinctive. It's particularly beautiful for businesses in the wellness, design, artisan, or hospitality space, anyone whose brand values craft, calm, and quality over noise. That soft, filtered forest light is unlike anything you'll find anywhere else locally.
This location suits: neutral earthy tones, cooler season sessions, quiet and considered brands, and anyone who wants something a little more cinematic.
Otama – White Sand & That Unreal Blue
Otama is… well, you already know.
If you've been there, you understand. If you haven't, it's the kind of beach that stops people in their tracks. The sand is bright and squeaky underfoot, the water is that impossible shade of blue-green that doesn't look real even though it absolutely is, and the whole place feels open and expansive in a way that makes you slow right down.
For families: it's simple in the best possible way. There's no need to do anything fancy here, the location does the heavy lifting. Families can just be: run, play, paddle, dig, chase each other along the shoreline. Those genuine moments of joy, in that setting? That's what makes Otama images so consistently beautiful.
For personal branding and business: if you want imagery that screams "this is why people come to the Coromandel," this is your spot. Accommodation providers, tourism businesses, food and hospitality, retail – clean, bright, timeless beach imagery is incredibly versatile and never dates. It works on websites, social media, print, and everything in between. And for personal brands (coaches, creatives, consultants) there's something about that open horizon that communicates confidence and possibility beautifully.
This location suits: bright, clean, timeless aesthetics, lifestyle and tourism brands, and anyone who wants imagery that feels like a deep breath.
Whitianga Bike Park – Play, Variety & a Hidden Gem
Not everyone wants sand in everything and not every brand wants a beach backdrop. Personally, I’d choose forest over beach any day - something about those deep greens, the sounds and smells of native bush, and that pretty dappled light just speaks to me. It’s sometimes easy to forget that the Coromandel Peninsula offers more than just boating and beaches!
The Whitianga Bike Park surprises people every time. Tucked away on the outskirts of town, the park brings such variety: lush planting, tree-lined tracks, shady glades, flowers & fruit trees, winding pathways, and bushy pockets, that feel completely removed from beach life. It’s layered, interesting, and constantly changing depending on the light and season.
For families: this is the spot where sessions stop feeling like sessions. Kids forget there's a camera, they want to run the tracks, explore the corners, see what's around the next bend. That genuine energy and fun is exactly what makes the photos feel real. And because there’s built-in adventure woven through the session, everyone leaves feeling like they’ve actually done something fun together.
For personal branding and business: this location works brilliantly for brands wanting something grounded, natural, and personality-led without leaning into the classic beach aesthetic. The greenery and varied textures work beautifully for outdoor businesses, wellness brands, fitness, trades, creatives, youth programmes, tourism operators, and anyone wanting imagery that feels energetic, genuine and down to earth. The mix of bush walks, planted areas, open spaces, and tree glades also gives huge variety within a single session, without travelling between multiple spots.
This location suits: energetic and playful energy, earthy and natural aesthetics, movement and adventure, relaxed storytelling imagery, and brands that want to show the person behind the business.
So… How Do You Choose?
Honestly, sometimes the location chooses you.
If you're a family, you might be drawn to a place you've visited together before, somewhere that already holds a memory. Those personal connections come through in photos more than you'd think.
If you're a business, you might already know the feeling you want your brand to have, that aspirational coastal lifestyle, that quiet considered quality, that bold sense of adventure. The location is just the beginning of telling that story visually.
Either way, that's where I come in. Before any session, we'll have a conversation about who you are, what you're after, and what you want people to feel when they see your photos. Good planning makes for a good photoshoot, and I’m here for it! Together, we will find the right fit, the right angle and the best location for YOUR photography session.Because whether I'm photographing your family or your brand, the goal is always the same. Images that feel true to you, shaped by the coastline, light, and landscape of the place we’re so fortunate to live in.
If you’re planning a family photography, branding or commercial photography session in Whitianga or the Coromandel, I’d love to help you choose the perfect location.
