Discover Richmond
16 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Lake Reba Shelter C
Small sheltered picnic area on Lake Reba offering calm-water reflections, tree-lined shorelines and seasonal color — great for intimate waterscape and landscape shots. Visit at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and mirror reflections; weekdays and early mornings avoid local anglers and families. Easy roadside parking and walking access to the shelter; public park with no special permits for casual photography. Autumn adds bold foliage, winter can give stark compositions and ice patterns.
Irvinton House Museum
Irvinton House Museum is a well-preserved 19th-century house museum offering rich period interiors, decorative woodwork, stained glass and exterior architectural details — ideal for architectural and historical photography. Visit weekday mornings or late afternoons for softer exterior light and fewer visitors. Check museum hours and entry/photography rules (tripod/flash often restricted). Street parking and small lot nearby; some rooms have low light so prepare for high-ISO or bracketed HDR. The
Adventure Falls
Adventure Falls at Lake Reba offers intimate waterscape scenes—small cascades, rock ledges and wooded shoreline—great for close-up long exposures and seasonal color. Best light is early morning or late afternoon low sun; midweek visits avoid local families. Easy roadside parking with short trails; bring waterproof footwear for streamside shots. Expect mosquitoes in summer; winter can produce icy textures. No formal entry fee.
Rolling Acres Pumpkin Patch
Seasonal pumpkin patch with rows of pumpkins, corn maze elements and rustic farm props—great for warm-season/ autumn color studies, portrait sessions, texture and pattern shots. Best visited mid-October for peak color and variety; golden hour (sunrise or sunset) gives warm directional light and long shadows. Rural site with on-site parking and seasonal entry/ticketing—expect crowds on weekend afternoons and family events. Uneven dirt paths; bring weather-proof footwear. Local farm aesthetics and
Lights on Park Lakes
Seasonal light display around Park Lakes offering illuminated sculptures, tree-wrapped paths and bright reflections on the lake — ideal for night photography and festive scenes. Visit just after civil twilight for deep blues and strong reflections; check event dates/ticketing and plan for parking at nearby lot. Paths are mostly paved and accessible; expect crowds on weekends and dress for cold weather.
Lake Reba Park
Small urban lake with tranquil water, shoreline trees and walking trails offering clean reflections, seasonal foliage and birdlife. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm light and glassy reflections; weekday mornings reduce crowds. Easy access with a small parking lot and flat paths—no entry fee. Compact size makes it ideal for intimate landscape, waterscape and wildlife shots.
Million Memorial Park by RPR
Small, well-kept memorial park featuring monuments, plaques and mature trees — good for intimate commemorative shots, portraiture with memorial context, and seasonal foliage. Best at golden hour for warm light and soft shadows; weekdays or early mornings avoid visitors. Easy street parking on Stratford Dr, flat paved paths and free entry. Respectful, quiet atmosphere; combine close-ups of inscriptions with wider context shots including trees or sky.
Millstone Park
Small community park with mature trees, a creek and a historic millstone feature—offers intimate landscape and waterscape compositions. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light and reflections; fall brings strong color. Easy access from Main St with roadside parking; no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter. Good for seasonal, close-focus nature and long-exposure water shots. Expect casual local use and occasional events.
Armory Park
Small downtown green space anchored by a historic armory and civic monuments — good for architectural details, plaza scenes, seasonal trees and event photography. Easy, free access from N 2nd St with street parking and nearby lots; paved paths and curb cuts make it wheelchair-friendly. Visit at golden hour for warm light on brick facades or during community events/football weekends for candid street and crowd shots. Spring and fall give best foliage; midweek mornings are quiet for composed shots
Camp Catalpa Park-Disc Golf/Playground/Trails
Small, family-friendly park with disc golf course, playground, and wooded trails — good for environmental portraits, action shots of disc golfers, and intimate woodland landscapes. Best light at golden hour along tree-lined trails; mornings and weekdays offer fewer visitors. Easy street parking; no entry fee. Expect mixed terrain and seasonal color changes.
Gibson Bay Golf Course
Manicured fairways, tree-lined holes and reflective ponds offer classic mid-Kentucky golf scenes — great for wide landscape shots, intimate details of greens/flags, and golden-hour reflections. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for low light and long shadows; weekdays and off-season reduce players. Course is active private/public golf property—check in at the clubhouse for permission, use the lot, and avoid interfering with play. Spring and fall bring strongest color; paved cart paths and gentle
Downtown Richmond
Downtown Richmond offers a compact historic Main Street with red-brick facades, the Madison County Courthouse, colorful murals, cozy storefronts and lively street scenes influenced by nearby Eastern Kentucky University. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm light and illuminated signage. Weekday mornings are quieter; weekends host festivals and more foot traffic. Street parking and public lots are available; most areas are wheelchair accessible. No entry fees — be respectful of businesses.
Dillingham Park
Small community park with mature trees, lawns and neighborhood views—good for intimate landscape, seasonal foliage and candid park-life shots. Easy street parking on Pine St; no entry fee. Best at golden hour for warm side-lighting and in fall for color. Weekday mornings are quieter; paths and benches provide simple compositional elements. Accessible paths suitable for most gear and handheld shooting.
E. C. Million Memorial Park
Small community park with tree-lined paths, open lawns and neighborhood vistas — good for intimate landscape, seasonal foliage and relaxed portrait sessions. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm light and long shadows; spring and fall bring strongest colors. Easy access from Tates Creek Ave with street or small lot parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quiet. Respect local residents and any posted park rules.
Gillum's Sports Lounge
A local sports bar with neon signs, pool tables, TVs and lively game-night energy — good for atmospheric interior, neon-detail and candid social photography. Best visited during evening games for dynamic lighting and crowds; weekday nights or early evenings are quieter. Interior is low light—ask staff permission before shooting; parking on-site/off-street is available. Expect American bar culture and friendly patrons; capture signage, reflections, and table-level action.
Paradise Cove Aquatic Center
A community aquatic center with pools, slides and splash features — great for dynamic action, water texture and candid family scenes. Shoot swimmers in motion, splash freeze-frames, architectural lines of slides and pool decks, and reflective water surfaces at sunrise/sunset. Visit weekday mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds; overcast days give even light for portraits while golden hour adds warm rim light and long reflections. Parking is typically on-site; check hours, entry fees and if