Top 5 Seattle Parks for a Family Photography Session

We love trees and the outdoors in the NW, which means we have some great parks located right in our city. These are my top five Seattle parks for spring and summer photo sessions.

1. Discovery Park 
   • Discovery Park is the largest in Seattle, covering 534 acres! You are unlikely to get crowds of people photobombing your session.
   •  Beaches, cliffs, forested trails, open meadows, rolling hills, Discovery has it all!
   •  From the cliff tops, Discovery boasts some of the best sunsets and golden hour light in Seattle.
   •  Nature! Discovery is home to 270 birds, chipmunks, rabbits. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of  some harbor seals.
   •  Discovery has the most picturesque lighthouse. It’s definitely a favorite for park goers.                                                                                            
2. Lincoln Park
   • Ferries! What’s more iconic than the Washington State Ferry? Watch it sail away while relaxing on the beach. It might just sneak into your photos.
   • Lincoln Park has three parking lots. It’s easy to get access to different areas of the park without launching into a major hiking expedition. Good for those with little ones in tow.
   • The view! From the park you can see the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Vashon Island. It’s a perfect backdrop for family photos!
   • Lincoln Park has wonderful open meadows. Hit it at the right time of year and there are daisies everywhere.
   • Lincoln Park is unusual for a city park as parts of it are an old growth forest.                                                                                                                                                                               
3. Magnuson Park
   • Magnuson is former Navy field. It has some amazing repurposed structures, including my studio!
   • It’s home to the largest dog park in Seattle. It’s 9 acres, with beachfront access. It’s been rated one of the top dog parks in the country.
   • Magnuson has hidden meadows with tall grasses and wetlands. It’s one of my favorite places to shoot in Seattle.
   • There’s an adorable community garden and outdoor theater. Great for wandering with the kiddos.
   • The playground is top notch! It’s a great bribe for after your photo session.                                                                                                               
4. Washington Park Arboretum
   • Flowers galore! Depending on the season you may see Cherry Blossoms, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Magnolias and countless other flowers.
   • Walking the trails you will come across quaint benches, duck ponds, hidden groves, and picture perfect bridges.
   • There’s a Japanese Garden you should visit while you are there. It’s a work of art!
   • The north side of the park leads into Union Bay, where you can see ducks, lily pads, boats sailing past, and you can walk along Marsh Island.
   • While you are there you can even purchase your own little plants from the Graham Visitor Center.                                                                      
5. UW Center for Urban Horticulture
   • The Center for Urban Horticulture hosts meetings for over 60 horticultural and environmental groups.
   • The main building, Merrill Hall was the first “green building” at UW and is a beautiful structure featuring a greenhouse lobby.
   • The center covers 16 acres of manicured gardens and 74 acres of wild natural areas.
   • The Goodfellow Grove at the center is the perfect place for a picnic with flowering trees dotting a grassy field.
   • The Fragrance Garden will tickle your nose with beautiful flower scents, while you wander around it’s large stone fountain.
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