The Best spots for Family Photos in SEATTLE — Summer edition
Usually, June through August are slower months for personal photo sessions. The end of the school year is busy…and then it’s suddenly the beginning of the school year with a different kind of craziness, schedules are all over the place, families are traveling, and people are used to booking fall photos right before the holidays.
BUT…
I love summer sessions. 😎 There’s more time, more light, and more flexibility. Sure, summer schedules can feel a little all over the place, but that often means there's more room to play, wander, and book a session when it feels right (instead of scrambling to fit it in during the jam-packed fall).
And truly, there’s nothing like capturing a slice of life during what is arguably the best season in the Pacific Northwest. Think golden evenings at the beach, barefoot toddlers in the grass, melted ice cream, and sun-soaked smiles. These sessions feel a little slower, a little more spacious, and full of the kind of light that just makes people glow.
Where to take summer family photos in Seattle
Most people planning family photos either default to meeting in a park or at their home. Home sessions are always special and often easier on the family since everyone is already in a space they’re comfortable with, and you don’t have to go anywhere. (Plus, you have extra clothes, snacks, toys, etc., all right there.) It does not matter if your house “isn’t very Instagrammable” (a phrase I’ve heard way too many times) or perfectly spotless.
Parks are the other go-to, but they’re not always the best option. If your family has a particular park you’re fond of, that’s great. But there’s no need to pick a random park you have no connection to just go stand outside.
There are so many more options out there that can hit the sweet spot of offering a special spot for your family, visual interest, and the opportunity to do an activity together for more natural-looking photos. (That said, keep scrolling to see my favorite parks in Seattle…and which ones I never want to photograph in again.)
Unique Locations + Summer activities for family photos
Personal, playful, and one of a kind, these spots might not come to mind first, but they can easily create some of the most memorable and meaningful photos.
Your home or backyard
Comfortable, real, and unique to your family, at-home sessions are intimate and low-pressure. Plus, it’s rare to have professional photos in the space where you spend so much time, and so much time together—it should be captured for posterity! And don’t worry about making everything perfect. I’ll find the best-lit spaces in your home for relaxed, beautiful shots.
Best for: Newborns, shy kids, or milestone sessions
On a boat!
Whether it’s your own boat cruising around the Sound or a nearby lake, a ferry to Bainbridge, or the pedestrian water taxi between West Seattle and the downtown waterfront, a boat ride hits a lot of different facts that can make your family photos stand out. They’re visually interesting, you’re outside, everyone loves going for a ride, and I’ll capture plenty of natural reactions and interactions. Also, the sun sparkling off the water is always magical.
Best for: Families who often head to the lake in the summer or love a ferry outing
Beach day at Alki, Golden Gardens, Discovery Park, or a pocket beach
If your kids love the sun, sand, and sea, let’s capture it. While Alki, Golden Gardens, and the lighthouse area of Discovery Park are the most popular beaches that come to mind, there are several smaller pocket beaches dotted around the city that come with some major perks; they’re more contained, instantly creating an intimate photo space, they’re less crowded, and parking is often just steps away for quick, easy access.
Best for: Kids who love the beach and parents who want images of their kids playing, being messy, and acting like their true selves
Picturesque picnic
Another option that blends the great outdoors with a charming family activity, setting up a picnic creates a shared experience with plenty of opportunities to snap both candid shots of natural interactions, plus posed portraits.
Best for: Those willing to put in a little extra prep for their session (I’ll help bring things, too) and spend more time together
Flower farms & U-pick fields
Okay, not quite in the city, but nearby flower fields, farms, and orchards are gorgeous in the summer if you know when to go. For example, July is peak lavender season, and JB Family Growers’ lavender farm is just 30 minutes from Seattle in Woodinville. Some farms and fields require photography permission, while others have certain times they welcome photographers or offer semi-private hours. (I'll handle all the logistics!)
Best for: Seasonal fun and interactive sessions with young to pre-teen kids
Grabbing ice cream and other treats
Grab a cone, croissant, or hot chocolate to get candid, lifestyle images while enjoying a snack together. This type of activity and location works best for Short & Sweet sessions, or as fun add-ons at the end of a shoot. Some excellent options around the city for both delicious goodies and natural light are:
Molly Moon’s waterfront location
Molly Moon’s West Seattle location
Ivar’s ‘Acres of Clams’ waterfront location
General Porpoise in Pioneer Square
The Pastry Project’s soft serve window in Pioneer Square
Rosselini’s in Ballard
Milk Drunk in Beacon Hill
Any Dick’s location!
Parking garages or rooftops
Modern, minimalist, and a little unexpected, rooftops (like the Fourth and Madison Building’s 7th floor public garden) and parking garages (like one of my faves on Western Avenue overlooking the Seattle Wheel) offer skyline views, dramatic open spaces, and are perfect for sunset sessions.
Best for: Families with older kids (pre-teens/teens) who are up for a session later in the evening
Best Seattle Neighborhoods for Family Photos
Looking for something more editorial or lifestyle-focused? These city settings offer murals, architecture, and classic Seattle settings.
Pike Place Market
Cobbled streets, neon signs, flower stalls—this iconic Seattle spot is full of color and character. Even when it’s crowded, there are so many hidden spots that provide unique backdrops and opportunities for candid interactions, but I particularly enjoy coming here late in the afternoon just as things are closing and the crowds are clearing out. There is still plenty of intrigue with way more space and privacy.
Best for: Playful families and vibrant portraits
Waterfront/Pioneer Square
The southern end of the waterfront, a few blocks from Pioneer Square, offers a wide mix of settings.
Best for: Families who are willing to walk a bit and want a mix of landscaping and historic brick buildings
Georgetown
Grungy-chic backdrops, exposed brick, and murals make this a favorite for families with a little edge or older kids who want something different. The alleys and doorways near Airport Way are packed with texture, and there are several spots to grab a snack or treat for a little break.
Best for: Families with older kids looking for something different
Downtown Ballard
With colorful storefronts, brick walls, and a touch of industrial charm, the strip along Ballard Ave is full of character. And, you can dangle the promise of a post-session ice cream at Salt & Straw.
Best for: Lifestyle shoots, casual portraits, and food-loving families
Best Seattle Parks for family photos
These are the go-to outdoor spaces for a reason—wide open fields, dreamy light, and plenty of room for kids to roam. When choosing a Seattle park for family photos, keep these considerations in mind:
How easy is it to park + how close can you park (or how accessible is it) to get to the actual point you’re meeting or photographing at? There are some Seattle Parks where it will easily take 10 to 15 minutes (or even longer) to actually get everyone from the car to the area you want to take pictures, which adds unnecessary time and more opportunity for kids moods to lag.
Beautiful green spaces aren’t necessarily good for photos, particularly if your family has light skin. The light bounces off the grass and leaves, often creating a yellowish or green tinge on people’s skin and faces. While the parks I list below all have greenery, they also either have a water element, lots of sky, warmer-colored plants, or some sort of structure that breaks up the background and gives you more options both for settings and color/lighting in your images.
Discovery Park
My favorite Seattle park to photograph in, Discovery Park (pictured above), is the city’s largest green space, offering golden meadows, bluff-side trails, and even a rocky beach and lighthouse. Late summer and early fall are particularly magical here with tall, glowing grass and soft, woodsy tones. The Loop Trail and meadow/bluff area give plenty of variety with great light.
Best for: Sunset sessions, big views, and adventurous kids
Olympic Sculpture Park (SAM)
Technically a park but with a modern twist, this spot offers clean lines, bold colors, and Puget Sound views with a downtown edge.
Best for: Families who want an urban feel without heading downtown
Lowman Beach Park
Easy access, rocky beach, driftwood, and Puget Sound views all in one spot. It’s small, more manageable, and less crowded than other waterfront spots. In West Seattle, this is my go-to pick over Alki or Lincoln Park any day!
Best for: Water-loving families, morning or golden hour light
Gas Works
Bold, iconic, and perfect for families who love a little quirk. The industrial structures and hilltop view of the Seattle skyline make it instantly recognizable. Late afternoon light is gorgeous here, especially on the hilltop.
Best for: Playful families and older kids
Green Lake
A favorite for families year-round, Green Lake offers water views, trees, and paved paths for walking sessions with little ones.
Best for: Classic PNW feel without traveling far
Ballard Locks
Another spot that has an interesting mix of greenery/water/buildings/structures. It also (usually) has pretty easy parking, and you’re just a few minutes walking to the locks.
Best for: Water-loving families, morning or golden hour light
Ravenna Park
Okay, this is a dense, green park, but its perks outweigh its green-ness. Tucked into a quiet neighborhood, this wooded ravine feels like a forest escape right in the city. It’s small, easy to explore, and ideal for overcast days with diffused light.
Best for: Moody, shaded portraits or quiet, late-summer vibes
Schmitz Preserve Park
Another densely wooded park that is still interesting to shoot in, Schmitz Preserve Park is an old-growth forest right in the center of West Seattle. Think mossy logs, ferns, and fairy-tale woods. It also works well on cloudy days when the forest light feels extra magical.
Best for: Nature-loving families or adventurous kids
Parks I don’t want to photograph in ever again
Washington Park Arboretum—too green!
Kubota Garden—also too green!
Lincoln Park—also too green, plus its size means it’s a trek (especially with little kids) to get down to the water.
head out of the city
Not feeling any of the family photos spots in Seattle listed above? This season is the best (i.e., most convenient) time to head out of town and plan for a special session in a spot where you’ve always wanted to go or that’s particularly important to your family. Let’s go on a hike, head to Whidbey Island (below’s a pic at Ebey’s Landing during sunset), picnic at Mount Rainier, have me come crash a day of your annual camp trip…
Schedules are looser, it’s light out longer, and we’re less likely to get stuck with a disappointing weather…so let’s just do it!
