Fall is one of my favorite seasons to photograph families.
I love watching the locations I photograph change throughout the year, and fall brings so much variety—golden light, changing leaves, tall brown grasses and so many different textures.
When I’m choosing a location for a family session, I’m not just looking for a pretty view. I’m thinking about light, variety, how easy it is to get there, and whether there is room for kids to move and explore.
These are some of my favorite places for fall family photos in Washington.
Discovery Park — Seattle
Discovery Park is one of my favorite places to photograph families in Seattle, and fall is especially beautiful here.
One of my favorite things about this location is the variety you can find within a relatively small area. There is beautiful creamy golden-hour light, fall color, tall brown grasses, water over look, and lots of different colors and textures.
That variety means we don’t have to spend the whole session walking from one spot to another. We can move around, explore, and get a gallery that feels varied without spending half of our session traveling between locations.
It’s also a really practical location for families:
- Easy parking
- No parking pass required
- About a 10-minute flat walk to the photo location
For families looking for Seattle fall family photos with beautiful light and lots of variety, Discovery Park is hard to beat.
North Bend — Field at the Base of Mount Si
North Bend is another favorite, especially the field at the base of Mount Si.
It has so many of the things I look for in a family photography location: beautiful light, fall color, tall grasses, and interesting textures, with Mount Si creating a beautiful backdrop.
It’s also easy for families to access:
- Easy parking
- No parking pass required
- About a 7–10 minute walk
- Gravel pathway
- Stroller friendly
And every once in a while, you may even get to see elk in a nearby field, which is always a fun little bonus.
I love that this location feels open and expansive while still giving us plenty to work with during a family session.
North Bend Lake
There is another spot in North Bend that I love when the water level is low enough to reveal something really unique: giant old-growth tree stumps in the water.
Add in fall color and the mountain in the background, and it creates a completely different look from the field at the base of Mount Si.
The walk is a little longer, but it’s an easy walk on pavement and stroller friendly.
- Easy parking
- No parking pass required
- About a 15-minute walk
- Paved and stroller friendly
- Mountain and lake views
- Old-growth stumps when water levels allow
This is one of those locations where the season and conditions can really change what we find.
Mount Rainier
And, of course, Mount Rainier.
The fall color here is incredible, and the combination of the landscape, mountain views, and light is hard to match.
This location does require a little more effort. There is a short but steep hike to get to the spot I love, but I think the views are absolutely worth it.
A few things to know:
- Easy parking
- Parking pass required
- Pass needs to be purchased ahead of time
- Short but steep hike
- Early morning timing is important for the best light
Because we head in early to catch sunrise, the entrance point isn’t staffed when we’re arriving, so having your parking pass ahead of time is important.
If you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, Mount Rainier fall family photos can be absolutely spectacular.
Sequim
I also love my Sequim location.
The light here is beautiful, and there is so much variety packed into one area: tall brown grass, different colors and textures, and a beautiful water overlook.
There is one important consideration for families with young children—the overlook has a cliff, so we’ll need to keep little ones close in that area.
Otherwise, it’s a fairly easy location to access:
- Easy parking
- No parking pass required
- About a 7–10 minute walk
- Gravel pathway
It’s another great fall location!
Point No Point
If we get a warm enough fall day, Point No Point can be a beautiful option for family photos.
The beach has gorgeous light, interesting textures, and beautiful colors. It’s a completely different feel from the grassy and mountain locations.
And, of course, there’s something special about being able to let kids explore the beach during their session.
- No parking pass required
- Beach location
- Beautiful light
- Lots of natural textures and colors
This one is especially weather dependent, but when the conditions cooperate, it’s a favorite.
Clear Creek Trail
Clear Creek Trail is another beautiful option for fall family photos.
It has some great fall color and texture, and it’s a nice choice for families who want a more wooded, natural setting.
The biggest difference here is the light. Because the sun sets earlier in this area, we don’t get quite the same golden-hour glow that I love at some of my more open locations.
But that doesn’t make it a bad location at all. There is still plenty of beautiful scenery and texture to work with, and it can be a great choice for families who want something closer to home.
What Makes a Great Fall Family Photography Location?
After photographing families in so many different places, I’ve learned that the prettiest location isn’t necessarily the best location.
I’m looking for a combination of:
Beautiful light
Especially during golden hour, when that creamy, warm light can make everything feel magical.
Variety
I love locations where we can find fall color, grasses, trees, water, mountains, or different textures.
Room to move
This is particularly important for the way I photograph families. I want kids to have space to walk, explore, run, play, and be themselves.
Accessibility
A beautiful location isn’t nearly as helpful if getting there is exhausting with young children. I pay attention to parking, walking distance, terrain, and whether a location works for strollers.
A feeling that fits your family
Some families love mountains. Some want the beach. Some want tall grasses and golden light. There isn’t one perfect location for everyone.
Which Fall Location Is Right for Your Family?
That’s something I’m always happy to help you figure out.
You don’t have to know exactly where you want your photos taken before you book a session. Tell me a little about your family, what you’re hoping for, and what your kids enjoy, and we can choose a location that makes sense for you.
Because ultimately, the best location isn’t just the one that looks beautiful. It’s the one where your family can relax, connect, and enjoy being together.
And that’s what I want your fall photos to hold onto.
