The North Bank Trail: Richmond’s Best Year-Round Photoshoot Location
Being brand new to Richmond, Virginia I’ve received the Richmonder starter kit from every local I’ve run into. The citizens of Richmond are a real friendly bunch!
One recommendation that has come up time-after-time is the North Bank Trail. It’s a low key route populated by Runners, Hikers, and Mountain Bikers weaving the banks of the James River just minutes from downtown Richmond and passing Maymont Park along the way. Your journey can be out and back for a 2.8 mile hike or you can connect it to the Buttermilk trail for a 6.1 mile loop. The Buttermilk trail runs along the opposite side of the river and beholds a unique landscape of its own, abandoned industrial structures, city views, and river access. It’s a peep at the bones of this old city.
There are several areas to park and hop on the loop along the way, the official parking lots include 22nd street, Reedy Creek, 42nd street/Riverside Drive lot, Belle Isle Parking Lot, Oregon Hill Overlook(street parking), North Bank Trail Parking/Texas Beach, Pump House lot near the Nickel Bridge Toll Plaza. Yeah, that’s a lot!
With so many access points, the North Bank/Buttermilk loop makes for an incredible natural photo backdrop in the heart of Richmond. Pick one location and spend a while wandering around trying different scenes in the area or hop from trailhead to trailhead via car for a mix of different sights.
One of my favorites on the Buttermilk side are the towers that take you from the parking areas to the riverside. These are quite high off of the ground and allow for safe access over the train tracks. The best places for access to the staircase towers would be the 42nd street parking lot and the 22nd street parking lot off of Riverside drive. The pedestrian bridge pictured above is at 22nd st.
Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall you’re guaranteed to find a great spot along the loop for your Richmond Photoshoot Location! The photos in this blog are from late December on an unusually warm day, as you can see the wintery scene leans monochromatic but still creates a beautiful vibe for portraits. Each season will bring its own set of colors to the James River Park trail system.
Depending on your photo session type, you may have enough time allotted to access this river area and take photos within the city. In 6-8 minute drive you’d be able to access the cobblestone streets of the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood from the 22nd st or the Belle Isle Parking lot. The variety of photoshoot scenes are endless!
I hope you find this information useful when planning your next photoshoot in Richmond, if you have questions please reach out via my contact form.
While you’re around feel free to view my recent work and booking page.
See ya around town y’all!
