Seattle is packed with beautiful places to take photos—but let’s be honest, not all of them are ideal for a relaxed, low-stress session. I’ve been shooting around this city for (a lot of) years and have a running list of favorite spots that deliver consistently beautiful light, plenty of breathing room, and stunning backdrops.

This guide includes my top go-to Seattle photo locations (organized by type!) and a few of my favorite nearby cafes or restaurants to help turn the whole thing into something fun and memorable.

Turning your session into a little outing—grabbing tacos afterward or treating everyone to a pastry—can give the whole experience a positive association (especially for kids). When they remember the photos and the fun treat after, it makes them way more excited to do it again.

Let’s dive in!

This guide was refreshed for 2026 based on the locations I’m currently using with clients—aka the spots that consistently deliver great light, breathing room, and a low-stress vibe.

Forests, Trails, and Parks

My most popular location category! These spots are full of tall trees, soft light, and a quiet calm that makes sessions feel peaceful.

They also give us so much to work with—light, depth, and space to move. Some of them are even great year-round, with something new to offer in every season.

Luther Burbank Park

Best for: Families and maternity sessions that want variety — water, trees, and open space without changing locations

A mix of fields, forest, and water views (plus some very photogenic docks). I love it for both morning and evening sessions—it’s especially beautiful by the water in the evening light. Luther Burbank Park also seriously shines in the fall with its big golden trees.

If you're bringing kids, the playground here is awesome—perfect for letting them run around after a session. Plus, it’s super convenient for Eastside clients.

Make it an outing: Grab a pastry from La Fête Pâtisserie or stroll the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Sundays

The Washington Park Arboretum

Best for: Families and couples who love lush greenery and a classic Seattle feel

Always a classic, always gorgeous. It gets a bit busier on weekends, but there’s so much room to roam that we can always find quiet corners. Perfect for Seattle family photo sessions, maternity shoots, or anyone who loves a little nature without leaving the city.

Make it an outing: Head to Oxbow Bakery for bagels and coffee afterward — easy, unfussy, and perfect post-session fuel

Discovery Park

Best for: Scenic maternity sessions and families who want big views, open meadows, and variety in one place

This one’s a forever favorite. Discovery Park is Seattle’s biggest park and somehow still feels like a secret. My go-to areas have big open fields, sweeping bluff views, and trails that wind through quiet forest—it’s classic Pacific Northwest without the crowds.

It’s dreamy in every season and gives us tons of variety without needing to drive all over town.

Make it an outing: Swing by the awesome food truck, Taqueria Mi Barrio for easy, satisfying tacos afterward

Volunteer Park

Best for: Year-round family and maternity sessions with beautiful light, walkable paths, and a lot of variety in a small area

Quieter than you’d expect for Capitol Hill, this park is packed with leafy paths and open spaces that absolutely glow in fall. But honestly? It works year-round. There’s always something photogenic happening here—gorgeous trees in spring, summer light filtering through the leaves, and that cozy, moody vibe in winter.

It’s ideal for mini sessions, and if you’re up for a post-session treat, you’re not far from some excellent coffee and ice cream spots (hello, Frankie & Jo’s).

Make it an outing: Easy to pair with a stop at Volunteer Park Cafe — the egg and cheese is genuinely excellent — or a relaxed wander through the Conservatory if you want to keep things slow.

Boeing Creek Park

Best for: Calm, nature-forward maternity sessions and families who want tall trees and minimal crowds

Live up near the Shoreline area? There’s a great hidden gem photo shoot location for you! It’s called Boeing Creek Park and is filled with gigantic, old trees and magical little spots just begging to be photographed.

Make it an outing: Grab something easy from Town & Country Market afterward — perfect if you want good food without committing to a full sit-down meal

Quieter Nature & Hidden Gems

These locations are a little quieter and more tucked away, which makes them great if you’re hoping for a calmer pace or fewer people around. They’re especially nice for families with younger kids or anyone who wants a relaxed, low-stress session.

Juanita Bay Park

Best for: Calm, nature-forward sessions with lots of breathing room

Juanita Bay Park is one of those places that immediately makes everyone exhale. With open wetlands, soft boardwalk paths, and wide skies, it’s ideal for families who want a relaxed, unrushed feel to their session. The scenery is beautiful without being distracting, and the light here is especially lovely in the late afternoon. It’s a great option for families who want something peaceful and natural — especially if you’re hoping for photos that feel grounded, gentle, and timeless.

Make it an outing: Head to one of my favorites, Deru Market — the farm salad and the carrot cake are incredible.

Magnuson Park

Best for: Maternity sessions with room to breathe and families with kids who need space to move

Magnuson Park is incredibly versatile, which makes it a favorite for families who want options. In one session, we can move between grassy open spaces, paved paths, and the lakeshore — all without feeling rushed. It’s especially great for kids who need a little room to move and families who want a mix of playful and polished images. Depending on the light and the season, it can feel beachy, cozy, or wide-open and airy.

Make it an outing: Coffee and a pastry at Grateful Bread — surprisingly great coffee and an easy, low-pressure stop after a session

Beachy Vibes

Light-filled, breezy, and very Pacific Northwest—these are my go-to spots for easygoing, coastal-feeling photos.

Alki Beach (Weeknights Only)

Alki is stunning—when it’s not swarming with volleyball games and scooters. I only shoot here on quieter weeknights when we can actually move around without stepping over twelve bachelorette parties. If we time it right though? The light is beautiful, and you can grab takeout from Marination and watch the sunset while you're at it.

Carkeek Park

Best for: Maternity sessions that want forest and water, plus families who prefer fewer crowds and beautiful evening light

Carkeek Park, located in the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle, has that magical mix of tall evergreens and driftwood-strewn beach, with way fewer crowds than nearby spots like Golden Gardens.

There’s even a train that occasionally passes by, which kids think is the best thing ever (and honestly? It kind of is). Quiet, pretty, and so very Pacific Northwest.

Make it an outing: Pick up something easy from Broadview Tap House afterward — casual, neighborhood, and open late enough to work with golden-hour sessions

Lincoln Park

Best for: Families and maternity sessions who want flexibility — beach photos or woodsy, field-style portraits — with great light that still works for earlier bedtimes

This West Seattle staple has woods, beach, and enough space to feel like you have it to yourself. We can wander through shaded forest trails, take in Puget Sound views, and even catch a ferry sailing through.

It’s especially great for families who want a little variety without needing to travel far. The light here is lovely in the evenings, and it tends to be one of the most relaxed and flexible locations on my list.

Make it an outing: Stay in West Seattle for dinner at Marination Ma Kai or pastries from Bakery Nouveau afterward

Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Best for: Golden-hour maternity sessions and families with older kids who want dramatic water views and glowy evening light

It’s a bit of a trek, but if you want peaceful water views, bluff trails, and that glowy golden hour light, this park delivers. There are stairs and some walking involved, so it's best for families with older kids or babies in carriers, but the views make it totally worth it.

Make it an outing: Head to Spiro’s Pizza & Pasta afterward — casual, family-friendly, and an easy win after a sunset session

Gardens & Well-Maintained Greenspaces

If you want color, flowers, and a place that feels like a quiet retreat—without hiking boots—these spots are it.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Best for: Maternity sessions and families who want lush color, well-kept paths, and a polished garden feel without hiking or crowds.

Lush, colorful, and beautifully maintained—this place feels like a total retreat. The footbridges and flower-lined trails are stunning in spring, summer, AND fall. It's a fantastic spot if you want something natural but just a bit more polished. Bonus: easy parking and super clean restrooms.

Make it an outing: Grab a coffee or pastry at Copper Kettle Coffee Bar right inside the garden — easy, relaxed, and ideal after a session

Center for Urban Horticulture

Best for: Intimate family and maternity sessions for those who want calm, greenery, and very few people around

This one’s truly under the radar. I usually stick to the garden area just next to the parking lot—it's lush, peaceful, and full of little corners with gorgeous light and vegetation.

This garden is always so quiet we’ll almost definitely have it to ourselves, and it’s ideal for Seattle family photo sessions that feel relaxed and easy. Bonus: the light here is chef’s kiss in the evening.

Make it an outing: Head to Hey Bagel afterward — simple, satisfying, and perfect if you want to keep things easy

Parsons Garden + Marshall Park

Best for: Intimate maternity sessions and families who want a quiet, tucked-away garden with a classic, elegant feel

A tiny, tucked-away garden on Queen Anne that feels like a secret garden in the middle of the city. It’s beautifully maintained and gives a classic, elegant vibe with lots of charm and very few people. Magnolia trees, amazing flowers, and hidden stone staircases create a certain intimacy in photos I haven’t been able to find in other locations.

Even better? Marshall Park is directly across the street and has a sweeping viewpoint of the water and Olympic Mountains—perfect for a quick wide shot if we want to mix it up.

Make it an outing: Grab coffee or a pastry at Queen Anne Coffee Co. just down the hill, or swing by Top Pot Doughnuts if you want something easy and kid-approved

Urban + Creative

These locations are for anyone who wants color, texture, and something a little different from the usual forest or field.

Walking Around Georgetown

Best for: Couples, headshots, and families who want something creative, urban, and a little less “park-like” — especially great if you’ve already done the forest-and-field vibe

Murals, quirky doors, rusted stairwells, ivy-covered walls—Georgetown is a whole vibe. It’s one of my favorite spots for natural light headshots or branding sessions that feel authentic and a little unexpected, and it's great for families who want something totally different from the traditional forest + field combo.

We usually walk a few blocks and see what we find—it’s always colorful and a little gritty in the best way. You’ll leave with something that feels unique, which is especially great if you’ve already done the forest-and-field vibe before.

Make it an outing: Grab a casual bite at Kuma Kitchen afterward — cozy, local, and an easy way to wind down after a session

Picking the Right Spot

If you’re still torn on location, don’t worry—I’ll help you narrow it down. From the season to your energy level to the kind of session you’re envisioning, I’ll guide you toward a spot that makes sense and feels like you.

Whether you’re leaning woodsy, beachy, or somewhere a little unexpected, we’ll land on something great. And hey, if there’s a treat waiting at the end of it? Even better.

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Updated for 2026: Best Outdoor Photo Locations in Seattle