As summer is coming to an end soon, lots of Moms are starting to look around for family photographers to book their Fall photoshoots. Having done lots of photoshoots myself with my 2 daughters, I know how challenging it is to find a photographer that will be patient enough to run around after my wild kids. The next question then is where should you go for pretty sceneries and what should you wear?

So I put together this post called, “10 [Pretty] Places in Sacramento to take Fall Family Photos” this year. If you’re new to the Sacramento area or have been around for a while but don’t know where to go for pretty photos, I hope you will find this post helpful.

If you’re still looking to book a fall mini session, here are all of the details to book with me.

In addition to where to go for pretty photos, you get some visual examples of what some of my past clients wore to their photoshoots as well. Personally for me, I love bright, airy and vibrant images so I always advise my clients to wear light color clothing.

Along with any of the fall colors, of course. 

TIPS: Pair 1 or 2 colors and add a white. For example: 

– Orange, blue & white 

– Maroons white & grey 

– Chambray, yellow & white 

– All white 

– Olive, yellow or orange, and white. 

If you are stuck, the best thing to do is to lay the clothes side by side and take a pic to see what you like best. If you still can’t decide, send me the pics and I can help you decide.

Without further ado, here are 10 Pretty Places in Sacramento to take family photos this year! This list is by no mean exclusive but it is a good start to your search.

1. CA Capitol Park/Downtown Sac // (15th & N St) 1317 15th St, Sacramento, CA 95814
   
   The California State Capitol is beautiful year round. You can always find something pretty here. My favorite part is the cactus garden near the corner of N St. & 15th St next to the rose garden. These photos of Huyen’s family were taken in mid October near sunset time, hence the soft glow. Huyen told me last year that she wanted something evergreen that won’t define a particular season once printed.
   

2. Cosumnes River Preserve– 13501 Franklin Blvd, Galt, CA 95632

Located 15 minutes south of Elk Grove, the Cosumnes River Preserve is a super clean & well kept park. You do have to walk 5-8 minutes in to get to the pretty places so I highly recommend you wearing boots, flats or wedges here.

The best time to take photos is mid to the end of September where some of the leaves are turning yellow and red. The prime time for yellow fall leaves though is the first and second week of November.

4. Jack E. Hill Park- 9380 Porto Rosa Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95624

Jack E. Hill park is a hidden gem in Elk Grove. It’s a neighborhood park with a little playground, a large brown bridge and a large stretch of open fields. If you’re into the dry grass glowing in the sun look, then a sunset photoshoot here will be perfect for you. It’s perfect for the boho and carefree look.

5. William Land Park- 3800 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95822

William Land Park is beautiful year round. However, the best time to go for Fall Photos is in October and early November. There is a lot of ducks near the pond (so there are lots of poops on the ground). So I highly recommend wearing boots here. For the guys, don’t wear shoes that cannot get dirty. There is a pretty rock garden next to the amphitheater that’s always beautiful. This particular spot from Danny & Andrea’s engagement session though, is on the opposite side by 13th street. By mid October, you can expect a good amount of leaves to be on the ground already.

6. Natomas Oak Park– 2230 River Plaza Dr, Sacramento, CA 95833

Natomas Oak Park is literally next to Garden Highway in Natomas. It is always surprising to clients how chose it is to Highway 5 but you wouldn’t notice since it’s tucked away by so many trees. It has a walking trail, lots of dry grass and some pokey plants on the ground. So I highly recommend wearing boots and closed toe shoes here if you want “in the wild” photos. The best time to take photos here for me is in the morning at 9AM.

7. UC Davis Arboretum/ T. Elliot Weier Redwood Grove- Davis, CA 95616 

If you want that forest feel to your photos this year, the redwood grove at UC Davis Arboretum is the closest place to find it. It is located in Davis, CA, about 30 mins outside of Sacramento. You can enter T. Elliot Redwood Grove into your GPS and it should take you straight to a parking lot (5, I believe) on campus. It is a short 3 min walk from the parking lot to this particular spot.

There is lots of space for the kids to run around. My favorite is having the kids walk (and wobble) on the fallen branches. Don’t go here 1 hr before sunset because the sun would be covered up by all of the leaves already. The best time is 2-3 hrs before sunset to get started.

8. Old Sac/Tower Bridge/Railroad Museum– 1125 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814

If you have young kids that love train, Old Sac is the perfect spot. Most of the shops in Old Sac opens up at 9am so if you want to avoid the crowd, have the photoshoot at 8:30am or so. You can park by Fat’s or by the CA Railroad Museum & walk over. Make sure to check to see if the parking meter is active. After the session, you can have a little outing with the kids to get some snacks and candies before going home.

9. Leland Stanford Mansion // 800 N St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Located 2 blocks away from the Capitol, this is a hidden gem that not too many people know about yet. It is the site of a museum. Leland Stanford Mansion has that Victorian feel that is perfect for formal, dressed up photos. The lighting is actually perfect here at all time of the day because the building is hidden from the sun behind a couple tall glass buildings in the back. The only thing to note is that the gate is closed when the museum is closed, which is at 4:30 or 5PM each day and on most major holidays. So make sure to check before you go so you don’t waste a trip.

10. Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, CA. (Apple Map will say, “Willow Creek Recreation Parking” 

Technically Willow Creek Park is not in Sacramento but it’s so beautiful that I had to include it here. I had photographed alot of families here and the lighting is always so magical in the evening. From the parking lot, you can alway out again toward the entrance and there is a path on the left to go to a bridge. By the parking lot, there is a dock as well as an area with lots and lots of rocks by the water. They make for the most magical photos at sunset. There is a good amount of walking here so make sure all of the kids have boots or flats and are motivated.

11. BONUS***. Bywater Hollow Lavender Farm– The dock & canoe photos- 5950 Mt Vernon Rd, Lincoln, CA 95648

Bywater Hollow, now called Bunz, is a private farm located 45 mins north of Sacramento in Lincoln, CA. They are open to the public for photos only on certain days & you have to make a reservation ahead of time. Reservation is $50 but it is so worth it. In the Summer time in May and June, there are lavender in bloom but in the fall, you can take photos by the willow trees and by the dock. they even have a canoe that you can get hubby to paddle you in as well. It makes for the most romantic and whimsy images.