1. Discovery Park in Seattle, Washington

Discovery Park located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle is full of photo gems! I personally love the versatility of the park, since it’s so expansive and wide open. It’s got trails weaving throughout with paths leading down to views of the Puget Sound. While you will find many photos of it online with the beach/lighthouse shown, this requires a hike or maybe an Uber down there since the parking is very limited!  I find the meadows to be the most alluring and where you’ll find the wildflowers!

It’s funny, but I didn’t fall in love with it right away. The first few sessions I shot at Discovery Park, I didn’t see its full potential. Though when I arrived for a maternity session last May, I was giddy with joy when I saw all the little wildflowers that were sprinkled around the fields!  Later in August, sweet pea flowers bring in pretty purple hues to the fields and promising weather in Seattle. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you’re into wildflowers like I am!

2. Van Lierop Park in Puyallup, Washington

Van Lierop Park in Puyallup, right next to the Farm 12 restaurant, is a diamond in the rough. Very unassuming during most of the year, yet come May, it springs to life with lupine! But blink and it’s gone as the lupine flowers are only in bloom from mid May to about mid June, if you’re lucky! I feel like you have to be spot on with timing a photo shoot here because it’s a small window in which the lupines are in bloom! Worth it for sure, so if you’re looking for your maternity or family photos to be here, I’d say a safe time frame would be the end of May.

Be warned though, every photographer in the surrounding Puyallup area knows about Van Lierop Park in the spring, so be prepared for it to be a crowded space. Even with that said, it’s a pretty vast field, so there are lots of nooks and crannies to work with! Also, perk if the mountain is out since there’s a pretty view of Mt. Rainier amongst the flowers! Not far from the East Puyallup Trailhead, you can easily park on the road or in the gravel parking lot at 7999-7529 134th Ave E, Puyallup, WA. Perfect access for families, even stroller friendly as there is a paved pathway!

3. Tipsoo Lake in Mt. Rainier National Park Washington

One of my favorite spots to visit in the summer is Mt. Rainier National Park and take photos at the gorgeous Tipsoo Lake! It’s a beautiful spot with great views of the mountain, as well as wispy wildflowers scattered throughout. Best time for the flowers would be mid July through August. I chose this as the location for my own maternity photoshoot with my second daughter and it did not disappoint!

Keep in mind, we do have to be super conscious of the flowers and plants as going off the trail here is a big no-no! The park rangers around here are pretty diligent in monitoring, so best to follow the rules here.

4. Rowena Crest in Mosier, Oregon

While I’m based in Bonney Lake, Washington, I frequent the Columbia River Gorge area quite often since I have in-laws who live there!  I find visiting Hood River, Oregon to be quite fun as it has so much to offer, including craft breweries, unique foodie restaurants, wind-surfing, parks and beautiful views everywhere you look. You can’t beat the views–seriously. With Mt. Adams on one side and Mt. Hood on the other and the gorgeous river in between, it’s breathtaking! 

I think my hands-down favorite place to shoot is in this area. Rowena Crest in Mosier, Oregon has jaw-dropping views of the gorge and is beautiful in late April-early May with wildflowers all over the place. Every spring I will be holding sessions here, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re interested in a photo shoot here! Don’t be deceived; you don’t have to hike or anything for a session up here. You can park on the street or the lot near-by and walk right on over to this view! To be honest, flowers or not, this view is worth it for the sunset (or sunrise)!

5. Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Washington

I actually accidentally stumbled upon the flowers that bloom here at Fort Steilacoom Park not far from Tacoma. I had set up a motherhood session here, mainly just wanting an open field with tall grass and was pleasantly surprised by the blossom trees in bloom in April. It really was the perfect touch to this mother and son photo shoot and I made a mental note to come back to this same spot each spring! 

This is a big park, with a playground, barns, and trails but shooting here doesn’t require too much walking. The parking lot is close to the blossom trees! Follow directions to the dog park, and go all the way to the back, left lot at 8804 Dresden Ln SW, Lakewood, WA 98498.

Want to Book a Wildflower Photo Session?

Summer is the perfect time for many of these gorgeous blooms! Get in touch and we can talk about your favorite location and hopefully get you on my calendar!