Are you hoping to capture family portraits this summer?! We’re here to share our favorite family portrait locations for the summer season in Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie! These are some of our TOP favorite spots to capture that summer glow during golden hour.

Also, not to worry! We still have some availability in August and September for portraits sessions. They are booking FAST, so let’s get planning!

PLAN YOUR SESSION

#1. Snoqualmie Point Park

We love this park! The view of Mount Si is beyond amazing and the open fields provide some epic shot possibilities. There are fun spots with tall grasses to pose in, trails and trees as well as some gnarly logs. Also, if it’s a rainy day (which is common in the Pacific Northwest), there is a covered picnic area which provides cover and the ability to still shoot the view.

#2. Big Rock Park

This is a great location for families who might prefer a little more privacy. This location provides trails, open groomed grass and tall grass, bridges, some fun rocky areas and a sunny playground for lots of portrait variety. It’s the perfect spot to let the kids run around a bit while being away from the road and get some candid and traditional portraits of your family.

#3. Lake Sammamish State Park

This spot is a special treasure. The tall grassy trails behind the lake are beautiful at all times of the year and definitely during summer! The beach at the lake makes a great opportunity for many different types of portraits.

#4. Downtown Issaquah

The possibilities here are endless! Some of our favorites sessions have been in the historic sites of Issaquah, such as at the train depot and on the train tracks, the old Shell Station and Feed Store, as well as at the salmon hatchery. Issaquah has a hometown charm that is special to many of us who live in the area.

Also, the best park about Downtown Issaquah is it’s right next to Confluence Park. This is the perfect spot for families that want a good variety of settings like the river, bridge, grass, variety of trees, red barn picnic area, and fences. The park is conveniently located across the street from the historic railroad tracks, which provides another wonderful portrait setting. We have had great success with our sessions here!

#5. Lincoln Park

This park is located in West Seattle and is very peaceful. There are trails in the woods that provide a wonderful “Pacific Northwest” atmosphere, with all of the green color and overgrown trees. The lower areas of the park are rocky beach with a lot of driftwood. You can see the Fauntleroy Ferry coming and going to the islands from here. Sunsets can be fantastic here and it is a wonderful place for late in the day “golden hour” portraits.

#6. Bellevue Botanical Gardens

One of our newer favorites! These gardens are maintained with love all year round, but summer is stunning. The flowers and greenery make you forget you’re in the middle of a city! It’s a perfect spot for a family really looking for a location with a summer feel.

Please note, if you’d like to have your session at this location, there is a photography permit required, so planning ahead is important!

Are you overwhelmed or unsure of what location might best for you? Do you have a location that is special to you not listed here? We’d love to help you decide what location is just right for your portrait experience and will brainstorm with you at your consultation and/or at the time you book your session. Portrait sessions are a perfect way to celebrate your family and create memories that are literally frozen in time. Our purpose is to serve you with a special experience, to capture your family as it is right now and to create heirloom art pieces that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come.

JEAN JOHNSON PRODUCTIONS
LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER | PERSONAL ARTIST | FAMILY HISTORIAN