James River Family Photography: Pony Pasture & 42nd Street — Perfect Locations For Adventure Sessions

May 28, 2026

My recent obsession for Richmond sessions is the James River — specifically Pony Pasture and the 42nd Street entrance. I absolutely adore these two spots.

An adventurous family playing in the shallow water during a lifestyle photography session on the James River in RVA

Mother hugging her son during documentary family session at Pony Pasture in Richmond, VA

Mom holding her boy in her arms while standing in James River - documentary artistic family session at Pony Pasture in Richmond, VA

If your weekends are already spent on the river with your kids — playing in the water and mud, collecting rocks, and jumping from stone to stone — this is the absolute perfect fit for your family.

When the weather is warm, the river provides a stunning, dynamic backdrop. The mixture of massive rocks, rushing water, and the tall, vibrant green grass growing between the stones offers endless possibilities to play with shadows and create deeply artistic images.

Best of all, it’s a calm, slow-paced experience where you can just enjoy quality time together. No performing, no posing. You simply focus on having fun with your family, while I observe and capture the magic.

Artistic photo capturing a bit, standing in James River, skyline and water reflection during documentary family session at Pony Pasture in Richmond, VA

Children and their mom splashing and playing in the warm river water during a summer family photo session at Pony Pasture

Candid moment of a family laughing together on the massive granite boulders of the James River in Richmond, Virginia

Candid family photography at Pony Pasture along the James River in Richmond, VA, featuring children exploring the shoreline

Artistic family photography playing with natural light and dramatic shadows on the river rocks at the James River

Footstep marks left on a rock after a boy walked on it during a family session at James River

A wide documentary photo showing a family exploring the natural shoreline and green river grass at Pony Pasture

An adventurous family silhouette against the beautiful morning sunlight reflecting off the James River

A fun, active lifestyle family photo session featuring a family walking barefoot through the shallow river rapids

Kids collecting river shells and playing in the mud during an adventurous outdoor family photography session in Richmond, VA

A mother and child sharing an unposed, artistic moment together by the water at the 42nd Street river entrance

A Few Tips If You Want to Book a Session Here:

Bring water shoes: The rocks can get slippery!
Pack towels: You will get wet, and it’s always nice to have a way to dry off afterward.
Weekday timing is key: I highly recommend doing sessions at these locations on weekdays. Because these are incredibly popular recreation spots, weekends get crowded and parking becomes a nightmare. A weekday morning session at Pony Pasture is absolutely great, or an evening session at either spot. Both times offer beautiful, glowing sunlight and far fewer crowds!