Senior Sessions at Historic Yates Mill County Park in Raleigh, North Carolina

Want to do a session at Historic Yates Mill County Park in Raleigh, North Carolina? Here is everything you need to know!

This last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting a wonderful senior session at Yates Mill. Below I will talk through the different areas available, their strengths, and what to expect from this local spot. Below, you can see images from one area of the park that provides a ‘rustic fence’ backdrop with mature trees and an open field in the background. Compared to locations that offer more of a white picket fence vibe (like Historic Oak View), this rustic fence is a great spot. These images were taken around 5:30 pm, but this spot could also work well in early morning light.

Rustic Fence Area

Is a permit required?

Yes, but good news… It’s free! County parks all require permits, but they are purely time-slot reservations put in place so the parks don’t get overrun by well-meaning photographers all trying to take pictures there at once. As your photographer, I always handle the permit, so all you need to do is worry about showing up on time :)

Are dogs allowed?

No. Unlike some other county parks, Yates Mill does not allow dogs on its premises.

What are the main features of the park?

Think Rustic Wood and water mill. Yates Mill is centered around an old water mill. There are also a few fenced areas, a lake boardwalk area, and another small old shed area, and a cobblestone wall/walkway. One thing to keep in mind is that the water mill waterfall is not always running. The waterfall is dependent on water levels and can stop falling during heatwaves. Here are a few images straight from the county page:

When should I schedule for?

Season: Yates has a charm that lasts through most seasons. I would suggest wetter months for the chance of a working waterfall. For lush greens choose spring/late summer. If you want to take advantage of the colors of the many mature trees around the area, try a fall session.

Time of Day: As with most sessions, doing an early morning or late evening session works best. Rule of thumb is starting 30 minutes after sunrise, or a session that plans to end 30 minutes before sunset. Specifically for Yates Mill, a morning session will have more even lighting in situations where you would like the mill as a backdrop. I would recommend evening for the boardwalk and fence areas, but they can also be done in the mornings as well.

Hopefully you found these tips very helpful! Check out more images from this location below:

Boardwalk Area: Shaded for evening lighting about 1.5 hours before sunset to get this view.

Yates Mill & Cobblestone Area: The 1st image uses 2 reflectors to achieve more even lighting. As you can see, this spot has loads of character! Outfits that would rock these spots would be anything western, boho, lace, farmhouse, or a classic silhouette like the dress worn above.

Mill Side #2: The mill from the non-wheel side. Area includes steps, wood paneling, and mature trees. Best when capture ~45 min before sunset (if blue skies, earlier if cloudy). There is also a grassy area in front of the mill but it is currently roped off.

BONUS SPOT: Found on the walk from the visitors center to the mill, you can stop and get some golden images when the light is reflecting strongly off the water (with the help of a reflector or light), picture below.

Hope this helped you decide if Yates Mill is the spot for you! If you are ready to schedule a session there, reach out at this contact page.