Sayen Gardens: Location Spotlight - JENNAKPHOTOS, NJ Photographer

Location Overview

Situated in historic Hamilton Square, Sayen Gardens is one of my absolute favorites for photos. It’s a hidden gem with charming bridges, pops of color and inviting benches, which means we have a variety of locations to capture those unforgettable moments.

This gorgeous site is perfect for ALL types of photo sessions: family, children, maternity, newborn, first birthday, couples, senior portraits, you name it!

Throughout the year annual and perennial displays fill the gardens with splendor, highlighting the many walking trails, fish ponds, and gazebos at Sayen Gardens. Whether you're booking for winter, spring, summer or fall, Sayen Gardens has beauty to share:

Winter

There is still greenery and pretty pops of color from the building, benches and bridge. Snow makes this location even prettier :)

Spring

Spring boasts 250,000+ flowering bulbs, as well as dogwoods, heirloom azaleas and rhododendrons. These fabulous florals make it a great spot for communion, graduation and mother’s day sessions.

Summer

The florals and greenery are still plentiful throughout the summer, plus there are some shaded areas which help keep things cool during those hot summer day! I’ve done some great Father’s Day sessions here.

Fall

The weather and temperature are typically quite comfortable, which is a wonderful complement to the fall foliage and greenery.

Tips for Your Session at Sayen Gardens

Arrive early, especially during spring and fall (parking fills up fast!)
We will be walking through the park for our session, so bring comfortable shoes
Bring water + snacks for little ones
If you're planning a cake smash, I recommend bringing wipes, a towel, and a change of clothes

What to Wear at Sayen Gardens:

Sayen Gardens is full of greenery and the seasonal floral/foliage, so I recommend soft neutrals, earthy tones, or pastels for springtime to complement the area! I always recommend avoiding super bright neons or bright patterns.

Want more outfit inspiration? Take a look at the blog for wardrobe information:

Parking & Accessibility

Arrive early to ensure you have time to find a spot! There is a main parking lot, however it is not uncommon for that lot to fill up when other events are running in the spring, summer or fall. In that event, parking is also available across from Hughes Drive (along the houses) or at the Nottingham Volunteer Fire Department.

The main parking lot does include wheelchair accessible parking spaces.

Sayen Gardens, Hamilton, NJ

Fun Fact

Frederick Sayen was an avid gardener and world traveler. In 1912 he purchased a 30-acre parcel of land not far from the family rubber mill in Hamilton Square, NJ. He built a bungalow-style home and surrounded it with plants and flowers acquired while he traveled the world. His collection includes species from China, Japan, and England, many of which are still flourishing today. It is estimated that there are 1,000+ azaleas and nearly 500 rhododendrons thriving under the vigilant care of the dedicated Sayen Gardens groundskeepers.

In addition to the beautiful flowers, Sayen Gardens is home to birds and wildlife.

(Source: Hamilton Township, NJ)

This is a go-to location for me since there are SO many great photo spots to work with. Check out some of my favorite spots from previous sessions:

Sayen House

The Sayen House is a beautiful focal point within the gardens. While it’s used for events inside, the outside area is just as stunning for photos. There are porch steps, walkways, grassy areas, and seasonal florals that change throughout the year.

This spot gives a slightly more classic, structured look compared to other areas of the park, while still keeping that garden feel.

White Gazebo (along Mercer St)

This gorgeous white gazebo is located right at the end of the main parking lot along Mercer Street and Hughes Drive. It’s a covered, sheltered spot, which makes it perfect for a little shade or even light rain coverage. It’s also super close to the Labaw Pointe side of the park, so it’s an easy starting or transition point during sessions. The clean white structure paired with surrounding greenery makes it a simple but beautiful backdrop.

Bridge/Koi Fish Pond Area

This is one of the most iconic spots at Sayen Gardens! The bridge and koi pond create such a dreamy setting, with so much variety all in one area. We can capture photos with the bridge and pond in the background, or head right onto the bridge itself for a different perspective.

There are also small pathways, benches, rocky areas, and tons of greenery and florals throughout. Kids love stopping to look at the fish, which always leads to the sweetest candid moments. While this spot is perfect for families, it’s also one of my favorite places for couples photos - it has such a soft, romantic feel.

Wooden Arch at Entrance

Right at the entrance of Sayen Gardens, this wooden arch is a perfect first stop. It’s often surrounded by greenery, flowers, or seasonal foliage, making it a simple but inviting backdrop.

I love starting sessions here before heading deeper into the park!

Temple Gardens Area + Gazebo

Temple Gardens is home to the wedding gazebo and so many beautiful surrounding spots. This area has a mix of flat grassy space (perfect for kids to run around), rocky textures, benches, and lots of greenery and florals.

The gazebo itself is a standout feature, often surrounded by seasonal flowers that make it look straight out of a wedding setting. There’s also a nearby walkway that works great for walking or movement shots. Bonus: this area is close to the bathrooms and located right behind the Sayen House, making it super convenient during sessions.

Umbrella Fountain Area

This is a simple but elegant patio space featuring a beautiful fountain that runs during the warmer months. There are benches, nearby grassy areas, some florals, and a tree-lined pathway that adds a nice touch of depth.

It’s also located very close to the koi pond area, so it’s easy to incorporate into your session without needing to walk far.

Labaw Pointe Side

This is the left side of Sayen Gardens and one of the most versatile areas in the entire park. There is so much to work with here; benches, pathways, florals, rocky areas, and the iconic white bridge at Labaw Pointe. You’ll also find the deck area and a rocky waterfall section facing Mercer Street.

One of my favorite things about this side is the amount of flat grassy space, which makes it perfect for cake smash setups. I often use this area for first birthday sessions because we can easily transition from family photos to cake smash without moving far. There’s truly a little bit of everything here!

Take a look at the blog for examples of cake smash sessions in this area:

Main Pathway

One of my favorite places to start sessions! This pathway is full of greenery and often has gorgeous seasonal details, with the Sayen House visible in the background.

It’s a great spot to ease into photos, especially for families or kids who may need a few minutes to warm up. There’s plenty of space for standing poses, walking shots, and larger group photos.

Rocky Path Area

Located right off the parking lot, this pathway is filled with rocks, greenery, and occasional pops of florals. It has a slightly more natural, textured feel compared to other areas in the park.

At the end of the path, there’s a fence area that I love using for photos; it adds a nice framing element and a bit of variety to your gallery.

Red Bridge Area

This area has so much variety packed into one spot. Located near the entrance pathway, it features benches, rocky textures, grassy areas, fencing, and of course, the red bridge!

There’s also a slight hill that leads to more florals and a small red wooden gazebo, which gives even more options for different looks within the same area.