Best Locations for Family Photos in Sacramento, CA

Best locations for family photos in Sacramento is probably the question I get asked more than any other. My answer always comes back to the same thing: it depends on the season. As a Sacramento family photographer,  I spend most of the year watching the light change and scouting corners of this area. February looks nothing like October here, almond orchards blooming one month, gold, sun-soaked fields the next. Knowing when to show up is half the job, and it’s the difference between a nice session and one that feels made just for your family.

Below are six of my favorite locations, organized by the time of year they’re at their best. I’ve shot in each of these more times than I can count, and along the way I’ve picked up the small, practical things you only learn from actually being there. What to wear, what to expect, what tends to go sideways. I hope you enjoy!

---

The Best Locations for Family Photos in Sacramento by Season

Sacramento moves through blooms and colors and light all year long, and I’ve built my whole calendar around chasing it. Here’s how I think about it, starting in late winter and moving through fall.

Almond Blossom Orchards in Dixon — Late February to Early March

I still think about the first session I shot at the almond orchard, close to four years ago now. A family with a six-month-old in the tiniest little bow, light so soft and dreamy the photos practically made themselves. At the time, that session became one of my favorites I’d ever shot, and every session there since has only reaffirmed my love for this location.

Here’s the catch. The bloom only lasts two to three weeks, and it can start as early as mid-February. That means booking usually has to happen during the previous holiday season, right when nobody’s thinking about February photos. According to the Almond Board of California,  the window closes fast once it opens. Because of that timing, this location tends to get overlooked. Families are busy planning fall and spring sessions, and this quiet window slips right past them, which is a shame, because it might be the most striking backdrop on this whole list.

This particular orchard is private property, so there’s designated parking and sometimes someone on site to help guide you in. It’s dirt ground, so a rainy year means mud. I always tell clients to bring an extra pair of shoes and a blanket they don’t mind getting a little dirty. If it’s been wet, mosquitoes show up right around sunset too, so bug spray or mosquito stickers for the kids goes a long way.

The bloom changes as it goes. Early on there’s still some green mixed in with the white blossoms, and by the end, fallen petals cover the ground for a soft, almost snowy look. Both stages are beautiful, just different, and we can talk through which one fits your vision during your planning call.

Because bloom timing is entirely up to nature, sessions here need some give, especially around weekends, which book up fast. This location isn’t the best fit for extended family who’d rather not drive out to the country, or for anyone who needs a fixed date with zero room to move. For those families, I usually point them toward Folsom Lake or an open field instead.

Wardrobe here calls for something elevated rather than casual, so skip the jeans-and-flannel look. Soft tones and minimal patterns let the blossoms do the talking. Steer away from black, navy, or anything bright. You don’t need to lean all-white either, since the orchard already brings plenty of that, so soft creams and muted colors work best. One more thing to plan for: this is a private location with its own fee, typically the highest on this list, usually between one hundred and one hundred fifty dollars.

This same soft, romantic light also makes almond orchards one of my favorite spots for Sacramento maternity photographer sessions, so if you’re expecting, keep it in mind for later too.

Granny Mays Strawberry Farm, Granite Bay — May Through July

Granny Mays Strawberry Farm is one of those locations where I saw more potential than what was already out there. I’d seen other photographers’ work from the strawberry farm, and most of it leaned cutesy. I wanted something more elevated instead, sunset light filtering through the rows, paired with a setting that still feels sweet and genuinely family-friendly.

Kids love this one for a reason that has nothing to do with photos. As far as they’re concerned, they’re going strawberry picking, and they even get to take home a little basket of berries at the end! The trick is keeping them from eating strawberries the whole time, because strawberries stain fast and get messy for little hands. I hold off on letting kids dig in until near the end of the session, and I always tell clients to pack a change of clothes for the ride home and treat any stains right away.

May is peak season and the fields are at their fullest, though early June still works well if your schedule doesn’t line up with the earliest weeks. Once strawberry season winds down, blackberries take over in July, giving you another full month in those same green, lush rows. I book this one close to sunset for that warm, golden light through the bushes.

It’s consistently one of the best locations for family photos in Sacramento if your family loves something playful and hands-on, and one of the sweetest to watch unfold in real time.

Lavender Field — Late May Through June

 shoot at two different lavender farms depending on the family, both in different corners of the Sacramento area and roughly an hour apart from each other. Which one we use comes down to what’s closer for you, which farm has availability, or how the bloom is looking that year, since each farm grows different varieties and blooms a little differently even in the same season. Araceli Lavender Farm  in Dixon is one of the two, and it’s a favorite for a reason. Both bloom late May through June.

I always book these sessions close to sunset. Lavender fields are wide open, so the light needs to be low to get that dreamy, glowing look. Midday sun just doesn’t do it justice.

One thing I steer clients away from is wearing purple to match the lavender. It’s tempting, but it tends to read as matchy and can date the photos, back to when everyone in family portraits wore the exact same color. Neutrals and soft, muted tones photograph so much better here. This is actually the location where I lean hardest into whites and creams, even more than soft pinks or blues. Those are lovely, but they’re not my first choice here. I’d rather let the lavender’s purple be the color that stands out. As with the almond orchard, these are private farms with their own fee, usually in the fifty to sixty dollar range.

A quick tip if you’re booking this one: light, breathable fabrics matter, since you’ll be in full sun for most of the session. If you want a hand pulling outfits together, I’ve put together a full guide on what to wear for outdoor family photos that works especially well here.

Pampas Grass — September Through November (Best in October)

Pampas grass surprises a lot of people, because it doesn’t fully disappear once the bloom is over. It just loses that full, fluffy look. The real bloom runs September through October, and by November the plumes start to fade and thin out, especially once the rainy season arrives early enough to turn the ground green again. October is the sweet spot, when the plumes are at their fullest.

One year, I ran into a patch of pampas grass with large, completely harmless spiders living in it, which was not exactly my favorite discovery. Now I always scout the spot first when I arrive and give families a heads-up if I’ve spotted any, just so kids know not to go running straight through the bushes.

This location is popular with other photographers on weekends, so weekdays tend to be quieter, though weekends work fine too if a little company doesn’t bother you. Parking is in a nearby neighborhood, about a five minute walk from the shooting spot. I recommend walking shoes over heels for the trip in. Strollers work here too, though there’s one small section where you’ll need to lift it over a tiny trickle of water, nothing close to a creek, just a small stream you step across.

Golden hour is the move here, just like most of my other outdoor sessions.

Golden Fields — Late Summer Into Fall

Some of my favorite sessions don’t happen at one fixed, named spot. Golden fields show up all over the greater Sacramento area, and every year I’m on the lookout for wherever the dried grass and the light are cooperating best. Fall is when they really shine, when nearby trees pick up orange and rust tones and the wispy, wheat-colored grass catches the low afternoon sun for a soft, editorial look I love.

Most of these sessions land in fall rather than summer, since that’s when the light gets softer and the temperature is more comfortable to spend a full session outside in. It’s also become one of the more popular times of year to shoot here, so we’re occasionally sharing a parking spot with another photographer doing the same thing, which is honestly a nice sign of just how beautiful this look is. Once we’re out in the field, we watch our footing since the ground can be uneven, and I always keep band-aids in my bag just in case. Nothing serious, just part of being out in a field.

Wardrobe-wise, this is the one location where you can lean into darker, more muted tones instead of the whites and pastels I usually recommend. It’s a nice change of pace, and it photographs beautifully against all that gold.

Since the exact field shifts year to year, this is somewhere I scout personally ahead of each season. If a golden-field session is on your wish list, just mention it during your planning call and I’ll build it into where we shoot.

Folsom Lake — Beautiful Year-Round

Folsom Lake is one I recommend with total confidence no matter the season, since the water level and surrounding landscape shift throughout the year and give it a slightly different look every time. It’s also the location that involves the most walking, five to ten minutes just to reach our shooting spot, and more moving around from there to different spots throughout the session.

I bring a lot of maternity clients here, and we take it slow, especially for moms further along, since there’s some walking over rocks and sand involved. Most of the women I work with are living pretty active pregnancies already, so it’s rarely intimidating, but it’s worth knowing going in that this isn’t the most laid-back option on the list.

It’s a state park, so bathrooms are on site, always a relief for families with little ones. Occasionally there are dogs off leash nearby, which can catch some people off guard, though it’s never been an issue. This spot works especially well for families who don’t mind getting a little wet, feet in the lake, splashing around, that kind of playful energy. It can get windy on occasion, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. Wardrobe here is more flexible than some of my other locations, though the same basics still apply. I’d steer clear of bright colors, bold patterns, or a matchy-matchy look, and skip anything too casual. Within that, there’s a lot of room to play. The Folsom Lake State Recreation Area actually changes look throughout the year depending on the water level, so no two seasons here ever feel quite the same — which is part of what makes it such a versatile, reliable choice for families.

One tip if you’re planning a summer session: we avoid weekends during the hottest months, since Saturdays bring out a crowd of lake-goers and the beach areas get busy fast. Outside of peak summer weekends, this spot is one of my most reliable picks in every season. If you’re looking for more ways to get outside with your family through the colder months, I rounded up some of my favorite family friendly things to do in Sacramento that pair well with a lake-side session.

---

How to Choose the Right Season for Your Sacramento Family Session

When a client comes to me trying to decide where to shoot, the first thing I look at is the actual date. From there, I ask whether they’re open to a location fee for a private property like the orchard or the lavender farms, since not every family wants that added cost, and that’s fine either way. Then I walk through my favorite spots for that time of year, describe what each one feels like in person, and see what resonates. I’ll also ask how far they’re willing to drive. Some families really value staying close to home, while plenty of others are happy to drive a bit further for a setting they’ll love. Most of the time, once people hear what a location is really like, they’re won over even if it means a longer drive.

No matter which of these best locations for family photos in Sacramento you land on, each one brings something different to the table, and part of my job is helping you find the one that makes the most sense for your family this season. I love helping people work through that during our planning call, so don’t stress over picking the perfect spot on your own.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a bloom (like the almond blossoms or lavender) runs early or late?  This happens more often than you’d expect, since blooms follow the weather, not a calendar. If timing shifts, I’ll work with you to adjust your date within that location’s window, or move to a backup spot so you’re never left without a beautiful option.

Can we request a specific location, or do you choose for us? Absolutely, clients can always request a specific location, and I love it when they do! Hearing what you have in mind and what your vision is for the session is one of my favorite parts of planning, and I’ll bring my own experience into how we make that work together. My goal is always to help you get the photos you’re picturing. Sometimes that means a small adjustment, like shifting to a different season, a different time of day, or a short drive, and I’m happy to walk you through those options so we land somewhere that still feels like your idea. If a spot won’t give you the results you’re after, I’ll let you know, and I’ll come back with somewhere else that keeps the parts you loved about your original vision alive.

Do any of these locations require an additional fee? Yes, the private farms and orchards do, since they’re working properties. Lavender farms typically run fifty to sixty dollars, and the almond orchard runs closer to one hundred to one hundred fifty dollars since access there is more limited. I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect for whichever location you choose, so there are no surprises.

---

Ready to Book Your Sacramento Family Session?

Every one of these locations offers something a little different, and matching the right season and setting to your family’s story is one of my favorite parts of this job. If you’re ready to get on the calendar, I’d love to help you find the right spot for the time of year you’re booking (and if you’re not sure yet, that’s exactly what our planning call is for).

[BOOK YOUR SESSION → HERE ]