Best Photo Shoot Locations Near Seattle for Family or Maternity Sessions
When considering where to schedule your next photo shoot, there’s quite a few factors to consider before simply landing on the most convenient location. As your photographer, I definitely come to the table with various suggestions, but there are some questions to ask yourself before deciding on a spot.
The first question I always ask is, what do you envision the scenery to look like? Here in Washington, specifically around the Seattle area, there’s such a variety of looks to choose from! Some want a cityscape vibe, while others may want the beach or tall grassy field. Being in the Pacific Northwest, many of my clients want to embrace the beauty of forests, mountains (such as Mt. Rainier) or lakes. Lucky for us, you can pretty much drive an hour in any direction and find a beautiful location with just the vibe you want!
Consider the Weather and Season when Choosing a Location
One of my favorite locations that is breathtaking, yet only available for bookings in the summer and early fall, is Tipsoo Lake in Mt. Rainier National Park. Definitely one of my favorite spots to photograph! Prime time for booking this location is between July-September. October is optional if snow doesn’t decide to fall early that year! These months also have beautiful blooms of wildflowers, which is why I chose Tipsoo Lake as one of the top 5 places for wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest!
For locations where you’ve seen tall, grassy fields, keep in mind these will change with the season. In spring, expect to see much more green grass versus summer/fall when the grass is dying away. I love a great dried, golden field when the sun hits just right! Reminds me of my business years in California under the oak trees of the rolling hills in the Bay Area where I grew up! Some spots that I recommend for more of a rustic, boho vibe include Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood in the summer and fall and also Discovery Park in Seattle in the later months as well.
Another spot that is seasonal and totally worth it for the beautiful sunflowers in August is Knutson Farms down in Sumner. They keep their blooms nice and tidy and offer this fun swing in the middle of the field that is great for some interactive shots. I likely will be hosting sessions here for a limited time each summer moving forward!
If you Want a Washington Forest for Your Photo Shoot
Now I will say a bit partial because I live in Bonney Lake, but I think the trails around Tehaleh are lovely! There are definitely spots that are evergreen that can be used year round for great photos, but even still, remember the season still plays a factor in the look of the area. For instance, there’s a beautiful forest trail I like to shoot on up in Tehaleh. It’s the epitome of evergreen because of the tall Douglas firs that surround it, but in the fall months, there are still trees on the trail that shed their yellow and orange leaves. It’s still a great forest vibe, but in the autumn months it has a lovely fall backdrop with the foliage on the ground!
Another spot within Tehaleh that mixes a field with a bit of a forested vibe is an unmarked trail I discovered not far from the Tails Pet Resort. It’s a really unassuming area, but it’s been a great backdrop for several family photo shoots and maternity sessions. The field changes with the seasons, but stays fairly grassy year round. In the fall it’s more sparse, but we found some fun dandelions to pick and blow which made for some cool photos! In the summer, sometimes you’ll find purple foxglove decorating the backdrop.
A Beach with a View in Tacoma
When you think of Tacoma, you probably don’t immediately think of a beach, but ya know, it’s situated right around Commencement Bay and actually overlooks multiple islands. Ruston Point is a pretty spot with a great view of the water, though it gets crowded easily and makes it a little less flexible for doing a full family session without people potentially being in the background!
My favorite spot in Tacoma is out at Chambers Bay Trail Head Loop. It’s a very spread out location and actually has a ton of variety to offer. Starting off in the top parking lot, you can get sweeping views of the bay and if the sun is out, a beautiful sky as a backdrop. I’ve done couples, maternity and family sessions here and it never disappoints!
Down below in the lower parking lot, there are essentially 3 different looks you can choose from. Off to the right, there is a dried, grassy field for playing in and also these tall, cement structures that add more of an urban element. I honestly don’t know what they were originally, but they make for interesting backdrops!
Lastly, walking a ways away from the parking lot to the left, you’ll come to a bridge that will lead you to the beach. With views of the Fox and McNeil Island, it’s a quaint beach with plenty of driftwood and natural elements to play or sit on! As you can see from all the photos, there’s definitely a lot to work with at Chambers Bay.
Studio Options for Indoor Photo Shoots from Tacoma to Seattle
I don’t shoot indoors very often, but I do like to have spots to recommend when the weather isn’t great or as an alternative to a newborn session if a family doesn’t want them at their house.
My first go-to spot is usually Wild Hearts Farm. It’s got a mix of indoor and outdoor options so there’s room for variety in your photos! The white studio indoors is small, but has good natural light and a heater for those cold months. Then outdoors there’s a covered glass house that is great if there is drizzle, but don’t count on it keeping you warm if it’s freezing out! It photographs very nicely and of course has the best option for indoor/outdoor light. Every area of the farm gets seasonally decorated, but props can be shifted and moved!
Another spot I found on Instagram is located in Seattle. For an urban brick vibe mixed with a boho touch, check out the Indie Studio. It's full of windows so we’ll have plenty of natural light! This is a great option for a variety of shoots– intimate family photos, maternity and especially a newborn session since it has a cozy bed for snuggling! Perfect for those overcast or rainy Seattle days.
There’s one other spot in Tacoma that offers a great indoor look, and while I haven’t had the chance to shoot there yet, it comes highly recommended! The GRLS Studio is located on Pacific Avenue and offers a clean, white and bright backdrop. I loved the painted white brick and the simplicity of their furniture and props available. For $65/hr, it’s quite a reasonable price and another great choice for a rainy day session!
Did you find a spot you liked? Let’s get you on my calendar! Click the link below and send me a quick message and we’ll chat!