Waterfront Views Meets Woodsy Creeks


If you want a photo location that gives you the best of both worlds—wide-open lakeside shorelines and deep, shaded rustic creek beds—the Brushy Creek park system is unmatched. By combining the scenic views of Brushy Creek Lake Park with the raw, natural trails near the Sports Park, we can capture incredible variety in a single session. This area offers beautiful wooden boardwalks, tall native grasses, textured rocky low-water crossings, and sun-drenched water reflections that elevate family, maternity, and senior portraits.


What to Expect & Best Time of Day


To catch that signature, warm-toned glow reflecting off the water and filtering through the trees, this location is best shot during Golden Hour (the hour right before sunset).The layout here gives us great flexibility. We usually start the session in the deep, open shade of the creek trails near the sports fields to keep everyone cool, and then transition to the lake shoreline just as the sun dips low to capture those dramatic, glowing sunset skies. The terrain consists of flat, beautifully paved trails mixed with natural dirt pathways near the water, making it very stroller-friendly and highly manageable for toddlers.

Parking & Logistics (The Practical Stuff)


  • Brushy Creek Lake Park (The Waterfront Look): Located at 3300 Brushy Creek Rd. This side features a massive, paved, free parking lot right by the water. It has fully developed public brick restroom facilities, which are great for quick clothing changes.


  • Brushy Creek Sports Park (The Creekside Look): Located just down the road at 2310 Brushy Creek Rd. This side gives you direct, easy access to the shaded trails, large wooden bridges, and the natural limestone creek bed crossings. It also offers free paved parking and public restrooms near the sports fields


  • Permit Fees: There are no commercial photography permit fees or entry tickets required to shoot standard family or portrait sessions along the public trails and park spaces.


  • Pro-Tip: Because of the gorgeous lake and natural running water, the grass can stay damp after a rain, and the local bugs love the sunset hour! Definitely pack comfortable walking shoes for moving between spots, and bring a quick can of bug spray to keep the kids comfortable.