Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there - and the families I have worked with and grown to know over the years. Many of my clients have come back again and again for graduation photos, and eventually family portraits - some have even started as family portraits, and come back for senior photos when the time came.


I have been so lucky to meet and work with so many lovely people over the years - many have grown to be friends, some have flown me to out for college graduations, and beyond.


This post shares some of my family portrait photography over the years, and showcases a sample of my favorite locations around Seattle as the backdrop for these memories.

 

 

THE Olympic Sculpture park


One of my very favorites ( and super under-rated ) locations in the heart of Seattle is the Olympic Sculpture Park. It has so much variety in such a condensed area - you can have urban walls, metal sculptures + a view of the water, a small beach and lots of greenery ( in the middle of summer ). Even in winter, this location provides a rich color palette when captured in the early morning.

 

Family with child on shoulders and small white dog pose outdoors against a large red metal wall.
A woman with long blonde hair holds a smiling toddler boy outdoors in a park setting during winter.
A smiling family with a young boy held by his parents outdoors near a red sculpture on a cloudy day.
Smiling couple holding young child outdoors against a red metal wall background.

 

These photos of the Koval family at Discovery Park were taken in late November

 

 

the Bellevue botanical garden


For those over on the Eastside, or wanting to explore just outside Seattle, we recommend the Bellevue Botanical Garden for a late May session. You will catch flowers in bloom and lush green gardens, however this location looks beautiful year-round, as you can catch the roses in bloom in late summer in August & September.

 

A smiling couple poses together in a vibrant garden filled with colorful dahlias and flowers in bloom.
Family of four posing in a lush garden with colorful flowers, dressed in elegant dark attire for a formal portrait.
Two brunette women in black outfits smiling and hugging outdoors in a garden setting.
Four elegantly dressed people walking together on a garden path surrounded by lush greenery.

 

These photos of the Darmstadt family at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens were taken in early June

 

 

VOLUNTEER park


This park is gorgeous and is home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and Seattle Asian Art Museum. While photos aren't allowed inside those locations, they do provide stunning and unique architecture as the backdrop for portrait photography. On this day - Seattle was experiencing an intense heat-wave, and we were able to utilize the huge old-growth trees as shade. The park is full of greenery, fields, cute ponds and lots of flowers in late-spring. There is so much to explore year-round and has become a new go-to favorite location of mine!

 

A smiling middle-aged couple sharing a romantic kiss outdoors in a sunny park setting.
A happy family of four poses together on a park path surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.
Family of four smiling together outdoors under lush green trees on a sunny day.
A smiling family of four poses outdoors in a lush green park, dressed in casual summer attire.

 

JUANITA BAY park


Up on the Eastside near Kirkland is Juanita Bay Park - which is an all-time favorite just outside of Seattle proper. I love the boardwalk and weeping willow trees - plus on a nice day you have a nice peek at Lake Washington. This is a fun hidden gem and I'm always willing to make time to travel a bit for my clients!

 

Family of four with a black dog posing on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees outdoors.
Family of four smiling on a wooden bridge with their black dog, surrounded by lush green trees.
A mother laughing joyfully while being hugged by her teenage son and daughter on a wooden bridge.
Smiling blonde girl hugging a happy black dog on a leash in a green park setting.

 

These photos of the Curtis family at Juanita Bay Park were taken in mid-July

 

 

RED ARROW Coffee


One year I hosted family portrait mini sessions in collaboration with Red Arrow Coffee ( located in Ballard ). Sometimes all you need is a cute neighborhood cafe or coffee shop to create unique, special and fun family photos.


Red Arrow was particularly special to the Burke family as they were moving out of state shortly after this session, and this cafe held many fond memories to them while they were living in Seattle. It makes me so happy to think they have a little time-capsule of photos to remember Seattle!

 

Toddler girl in gingham dress and white jacket walks holding parents hands on a sidewalk.
A smiling woman in a denim jacket holds a toddler girl reaching toward pink flowers in a lush garden.
Black and white photo of a happy family with a baby waving hands, sitting outdoors at a table.
Happy family with parents lifting smiling baby outdoors in lush garden near brick house on a sunny day.

 

These photos of the Burke family at Red Arrow were taken in mid-April

 

 


Have I inspired you to book a family portrait session this year? Plan something this summer with your teen before they head off to college, or a summer session with your little ones while they are out of school.


Learn more about our Family Portrait sessions at the link below

 

family portraits
Five people smiling and laughing together on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.
A smiling family of five poses together on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees.