Huber Woods- Middletown New Jersey- Wildflower Cottage Garden & Environmental Center- Family Outing and Portraits
Monmouth County new jersey Mom and fine art newborn & family Photographer
If you’ve never been to Huber Woods in Middletown New Jersey, this is your sign to go! I initially found this park when I was seeking new wooded paths to run to train for one of my long distance races. A few years later I had a client suggest using it for their newborn session. I hadn’t explored the grounds too much but I trusted it would work! Monmouth County is full of beautiful parks and most of them are perfect family photos. We took a small hike through a little wooded trail and I was amazed when we rounded the corner. Behind the old country style building is the most beautiful wildflower garden. Talk about a stunning backdrop for your newborn and family pictures! I have since gone back with other families and with my kids. I’ve also discovered the incredibly charming environmental center and the cute little reptile house.
When the weather calls for rain here in New Jersey you never know what to expect. The rain usually comes and goes throughout the day. With three active little ones at home and a forecast of rain I wasn’t ready to be indoors all day so we packed up and took the trip to Huber Woods. I knew it would be perfect because we could do some hiking while it was dry and seek shelter inside the building if it started raining too hard. I don’t often bring my camera along with me on our outings because most of the time I am alone, but my husband was present for this adventure so it was the perfect opportunity. Bringing my camera along helps me to slow down and really observe my children. Documenting their joy and wonder brings me so much joy. It’s one of the reasons I love photographing families with babies and young children. They are still so full of wonder and it brings me to a place of absolute bliss watching them and capturing them in that moment.
On our adventure, we took the hike down the small wooded trail behind the old Huber house, “fished” in the little pond and ended up under a giant tree for a chocolate milk picnic followed by lantern fly hunting, more exploring and ended with some imaginative playtime within the environmental center. The environmental center is full of nature inspired activities, books and toys along with an observation window where you can see all different kinds of birds and woodland creatures feasting at the bird feeders. If I ever design a playroom or school room for my kids, I would draw inspiration from this place. My kids enjoyed putting on a puppet show, dressing up as birds, a turtle and a bumblebee and playing some traditional Native American games. It was such a serene and beautiful Sunday morning and I encourage everyone to go visit this little gem.
Enjoy some of the images I captured of my very colorful family as we explored the grounds of Huber Woods. Prepare yourself for some delicious chunky baby thighs.
July and August are the perfect months to catch these beautiful blooms so if you like what you see and would like to schedule family photos here, please reach out now! If you’re looking for a fun place to take your kids on a rainy day, cold day, any time of the year, visit this magical place!!
Learn more about this magical place: Huber Woods Park