Choose from stunning locations for your family photo session in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
You’ve booked your session! Now it’s time to pick your location. We're lucky to have Los Angeles and Orange County as our backdrop—two areas that offer some of the most diverse and breathtaking locations for your family photo session. From golden beaches to rolling hillsides, there’s something for everyone. Let's explore some of the amazing spots you can choose from and a few things to keep in mind to ensure we capture the best pictures possible. I choose my locations based on a few main things - ease of parking, low crowds, no hiking, low/no photography permit fees and stroller/wheelchair accessibility.
If you have a different location in mind, great! I'm always open to photographing at new spots, including at your home. Contact me if you have a certain location in mind!
Corona Del Mar Beach
This is my favorite Orange County Beach! There's free, easy street parking. It has areas that overlook the ocean as well as being on the beach level. I love the rocks and the open water. It gives great variety without a huge crowd. I don't recommend beach sessions for children under 2 years old. $75 Travel Fee.
San Clemente Beach
I love this cute little beach area. It's about halfway to San Diego, and although San Clemente isn't an area most people would think of, for those of us between Pasadena and San Dimas, it's really only about 15 minutes further than our OC beaches. Easy, close parking. I love the rocks, and the open area with bushes against the sand. You also get a great area overlooking the water, a railroad track and a short walk away is the open beach level for classic beach pictures. I don't recommend beach sessions for children under 2 years old. $75 Travel Fee.
Desiderio Park, Pasadena
As soon as I added this to my locations last year, it was an instant client favorite! The sun setting behind the bridge, the beautiful trees and rounded pathways. Easy parking. It's a great location for all ages. I recommend this location for families with small kids. Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Arlington Gardens, Pasadena
This has been a favorite of mine for years. Beautiful trees and great backlight. This location has easy parking and is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Great for all ages. It's a great spot for families who need to work around a nap schedule. It's one of the few locations with tons of trees, so it makes it more flexible to start earlier in the day and still have beautiful light. During the busy holiday season, this location sometimes charges a fee. Please ask me about current fees.
Scripps College, Claremont
This location is one of the few spots with beautiful architecture and no photography permit charges. It's a rare thing! It looks beautiful year round and is great for small kids. Clean, easy parking, stroller and wheel chair accessible.
Horsethief Canyon Park, San Dimas
This spot has multiple areas, all giving different views. I love the versatility of this location and faraway, dreamy feel it can have. In spring it is beautiful and green with long overgrown grass. In fall, it has beautiful brown and green tones. Easy parking. Not too difficult for strollers. Good for all ages.
Sam Merrill Trail, Altadena
I love the mountainy, outdoor feel of this location. Pine trees, hills and open sky - Golden light setting behind the hills. Its downside is: So much dirt! I don't recommend it for small kids who like to get down in the dirt:). Also, because it's an actual trail - bugs. Bring your bug spray - I'll also have some on hand, but if you're prone to getting bug bites, this may not be the best choice. Stroller friendly, fairly easy street parking.
Pasadena City Hall
I'm still amazed that Pasadena City Hall doesn't charge photographers. It is such an amazing local spot to have. The fountain, the archways, balcony and palm trees. I love this location. Feel like dressing up for your session? This is the perfect spot. But it also looks great with fall holiday clothes and more simple dresses and button down shirts for guys. Easy parking, stroller and wheelchair accessible. Great for kids of all ages.
Important Tip!
SUNSET TIME: Keep in mind that sessions take place 1 1/2 - 2 hours before sunset. Starting times vary based on the month, the weather and the location. Think about your work schedule, travel time and nap schedule for your kiddos while selecting your location.
I can't stress this enough: A happy/well rested kid trumps any location choice, golden light or set time. Let's discuss those details while you're picking location. Can they sleep in the car? Will they they miss their nap? Will someone have to leave work early and feel too rushed? These are all things that are very important to consider and can really change the feel of a session. You want your family to feel rested and relaxed on picture day. Below is a list of sunset times by month. You can look up your particular day, but please keep these times in mind when planning your day.
CALIFORNIA SUNSET TIMES BY MONTH
JANUARY - Between 4:50PM and 5:20PM
FEBRUARY - Between 5:20PM and 5:50PM
MARCH - Between 5:50PM and 7:10PM
APRIL - Between 7:10PM and 7:35PM
MAY - Between 7:35PM and 7:55PM
JUNE - Between 7:55PM and 8:10PM
JULY - Between 7:55PM and 8:10PM
AUGUST - Between 7:55PM and 7:20PM
SEPTEMBER - Between 7:20PM and 6:50PM
OCTOBER - Between 6:50PM and 6:00PM
NOVEMBER - Between 6:00PM and 4:45PM
DECEMBER - 4:45PM and 4:50PM