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Open space can be found all over the Bay Area. Let me know your area and I’ll find a park near you. These parks are usually green after the rainy season and golden during dry seasons. Some parks feature wildflowers in the Spring.

Hayward

Regional Park in the Hayward hills that features open space, rolling hills, trees and greenery, and a pond. This location also has a rustic red barn that is great for holiday photos.

Hayward

A short walk from the car will get you to this open space where the sun sets over the hills. This spot features a green valley background. And for adventurous families there is a chance to walk down the path into a dense forest with a creek for variety in your gallery.

Newark

This requires a 5-10 minute hike uphill, but the views are worth it. Marsh views to the east and hill views to the west. Rocky boulders add a nice element to your photos.

Hayward

A quiet park in the Hayward hills that features tall grass, short trails, oak trees, and large boulders that are fun for kids to climb on.

San Jose

Cool yellow frames along a wooden walkway among the reeds. The warmth of the frames and reeds among the cool blue sky make for some great photos. At the end of the walkways, there is a chance to photograph next to the water on the salt shore.

Walnut Creek

This walnut creek park features wide open spaces with wildflowers in the spring. A short walk from the parking area there are large boulders that are fun to climb.

Daly City

Easily accesible coastal bluff featuring purple ice plants and yellow flowers with views of miles of California shoreline in the background. Popular with paragliders, which I can photoshop out upon request. No shore access.

Pacifica

For an option further north, Pacifica beaches offers accessible shoreline steps away from the parking lot. My favorite beach there features jagged rock formations fun for kids to climb on. The fog hangs around Pacifica all year round so cloudy days are the norm here.

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is home to miles of coastline featuring sandy shores and picturesque bluffs filled with ice plants. Beaches include Venice Beach, Dunes Beach, Francis Beach. For families with pups, Poplar Beach is pet friendly.

Alameda

Beach scenery without having to drive all the way to Half Moon Bay. Alameda beaches are typically sunny and at least 10 degrees warmer than coastal beaches. We can choose between two options here. For tall beach grass we can start at the South shore. For easy parking and trees we can start on tne North end at Crown Memorial.

Palo Alto

A gorgeous 2.5 acre park with manicured grounds, historical buildings, rose garden, vegetable garden, and many other flower gardens. Easily walkable. Many different natural backdrops offer a ton of variety for your gallery.

Woodside

Perfect for romantic photos and the opportunity to dress up if you wish. Sprawling garden estate, historic mansion, rose gardens, and charming brick doorways. Open until 5pm and weekdays are recommended.

Walnut Creek

6 acres of lush gardens to wander through including a magical rose garden that is bloom late spring to early fall. Open sunrise to sunset. $50 per hour photoshoot and advance registration

Fremont

Charming community garden that features a yellow windmill, rows and rows of roses, a really cool cactus garden, green archway and nice greenery. The other side of the parking lot features palm tress and an open paths.

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Red, golden, and crunchy ground leaves are a classic background for fall photos and layered outfits. In the Bay Area, peak fall colors usually happen in Nov.

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Roses are in full bloom during summer and early fall. Some gorgeous locations include Filoli, San Jose Rose Garden, Heather Farms in Walnut Creek, Berkeley.

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Spring is peak wildflower season and if you’re lucky to time your photo session to the blooms period, then your photos can feel like dream. Wildflowers are usually off the beaten path, but worth every step of the journey.

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Yellow blooms create such vibrant photos. Mustard blooms pop up all over the Bay Area after the rains in Jan and Feb.

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In spring look out for pink blooms to brighten up the season and your family photos. Cherry Blossoms can be found at various parks all around. They bloom for a limited time.

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Bright and Joyful. Sunflowers fields blooms at different times during summer and fall seasons at various farms in the Bay Area. Admission to sunflower farms is paid and varies.

San Jose

Tucked away in the San Jose hills there are fields of irises that bloom every April and Early May (peak bloom times vary each year due to mother nature.) Farm is open from 9-4pm on select dates.

Los Altos

Popular South Bay redwoods locations featuring a rustic wooden walkway that curves through a lovely redwood grove. Plenty of logs for kids to climb and explore. And after the rainy season there is shallow creek that flows through the park.

Berkeley

Outdoor redwood amphitheater area featuring deep green beds of ground clovers. Paid admission includes access to 34 acre botanical garden featuring plants from around the world.

Oakland

Welll established and majestic California redwood forest in the Oakland Hills. The thick canopy coverage means we can shoot almost anytime of day here. I recommend early morning or afternoon for gorgeous sun rays to filter to the trees.

Hayward

Tucked away in the East Bay Hills is a lush little spot featuring a lot of fern growth. A short walk from his location is a a scenic hilly backgroud that is beautiful at sunset.

Haf Moon Bay

Walk though an open field to get access this coastal cypress forest. A stroll through the tunnel of trees leads to a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean from the top of the cliff.

Woodside

Perfect for romantic photos and the opportunity to dress up if you wish. Sprawling garden estate, historic mansion, rose gardens, and charming brick doorways. Open until 5pm and weekdays are recommended.

Hayward

City park featuring a historic white building, a charming gazebo, small garden, and plenty of green space.

Pleasanton

White painted wooden walkways lead the way to this historical building, the first house in Pleasanton. The area is surrounded by natural scenery that looks beautiful at golden hour.

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For a rustic aesthetic a barn is a charming choice. The bright red color is a great pop of color for holiday photos.

Redwood City

Greek style column monument, crystal clear pool, open green lawns, and lavender blooms in the summer. Only open 9-5 on Mon-Fri.

San Jose

Beautiful blue and while columns on one side, and a fountain courtyard on the other side. Museum is open Fri-Sun, but grounds are open daily from 8am-sunset.

Fremont

Open lawns, small Japanese garden with lovely plantings, small Japanese building, green hedges, flower beds, and huge tree with unique sprawling roots. This location also has a red barn.

Hayward

This hidden gem close to downtown Hayward features a large pond with full grown koi and turtles. Rock gardens and tranquil landscaping. This location closes early at 4pm so its suitable for morning or late fall sessions.

San Mateo

Japanese garden with beautiful grounds, bridges, and pavilions. Kids will adore the koi pond here. Paved pathways make it easily accessible even with high heels. FYI, the parks close early so this location is ideal in Fall.

Piedmont

City park with an epic tree that sits low to the ground. Walking paths featuring lots of greenery. A Japanese garden on site for variety. A playground for the kids for candid photos.

Palo Alto

You don’t have to drive out to the desert to get photos among the cacti. This lovely cactus garden on Stanford property is a very popular photo location so weekdays are recommended.

Berkeley

Sprawling botanical garden with greenhouses, lush plants, cactus garden, and a redwood grove. Admission is $18 per person, requires advance reservations, and park is only 10-5pm. Limit of 5 people for photoshoot.

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Chances are good that you live a short drive away from Bay water views. Waterfront trails are a beautiful background at sunset.

Fremont

Marshland, golden reeds, and weathered boardwalks are a peaceful background for your family photos. There are scenic waterfront benches with great views.

Castro Valley

This lake offers lovely water views, pTenty of greenery, and a little grove of redwoods. Theres a lakeside cafe which a great spot to grab a pre shoot snack. Popular on weekends, weekdays are recommended here.

Los Gatos

Panoramic lake views. A red bridge over the water. Peaceful walking paths. And brilliant tree colors in the fall make this a great spot for your family photos.

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After spring rains is your best bet to find flowing streams. A flowing stream surrounded by tree canopies is a beautiful background.

Alameda

A newly built urban waterfront development with views of the San Francisco skyline. Explore the public art and pretty views here.

Foster City

Easy Parking. Lots of waterfront views, nice landscaping, willow trees, open grass areas, flat pathways, a cute heart sculpture. An early morning or sunset photoshoot would look lovely here.

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Colorful murals are so fun! Murals can be found everywhere, but some of my favorite clustered locations are in Livermore, Alameda, and San Jose.

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When fields and gardens are not for you, a parking lot is rad option to consider. Concrete and open space make for some fun photos.

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A rainy day alternative is heading indoors to the museum. Photography rules and admission prices will vary from museum to museum.

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City structures, industrial materials, and public art are a modern and adventurous choice for family photos when you don’t want cookie cutter photos.

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Let the kids play! The Bay Area is home to so many amazing playgrounds full of color and wonder. Capture some fun photos of your kids having a blast!

Cozy and comfortable on your couch

Beautiful outdoor photos at home

Home sweet home

Show off your plant collection.

The best place for snuggles

Take photo with furry family members