I'm a family and wedding photographer in Pleasanton, California. I serve couples and families of all backgrounds across the SF Bay Area. 

Meet Charlie Dawn

Alviso Adobe Park: The Perfect Spot for Family Photos in Pleasanton

real stories

After living and working in Pleasanton for a few years, I’ve discovered some of the best locations for family, maternity, and senior portraits. While some spots shine during certain seasons (hello, fall leaves!), one location stands out as a year-round classic: Alviso Adobe Park.

A Little About Alviso Adobe

Alviso Adobe Park may be small, but it’s packed with a variety of backdrops perfect for photos. From historic adobe buildings to golden foothills, a rustic bridge, lush trees, vibrant cacti, and seasonal blooms, this park offers something for everyone.

Fun fact: If you’re a Pleasanton local, you’ve probably heard of Meadowlark Dairy. Did you know Alviso Adobe was the original location of the dairy before it moved downtown? After your photoshoot, treat your family to a trip to Meadowlark Dairy as a fun reward for everyone!

Best Times for Photos

One of the best things about Alviso Adobe is its flexibility in timing—you really can’t go wrong. Here’s my advice for planning your session:

  • Sunset Sessions: For dreamy, golden hour photos, I recommend starting your session about 1.5 hours before sunset. Unlike open spaces, the sun dips behind the foothills at Alviso Adobe, causing the light to fade faster than usual. Starting earlier ensures we have enough time to capture that soft, glowing light.
  • Morning Sessions:If you prefer a morning session, plan to start 2–3 hours after sunrise. The sun rises quickly here, and depending on the season, it can get warm fast! While there are plenty of shaded areas, some of the best spots—like the foothills and open paths—are more exposed to direct sunlight.

Why Choose Alviso Adobe?

I photograph families, maternity sessions, and senior portraits at Alviso Adobe year-round. It’s a versatile location that works beautifully in every season, offering unique backdrops for a variety of styles and occasions.

Alviso Adobe Park is a timeless choice for your next photoshoot. Don’t wait to reserve your session—contact me today to secure your spot. Let’s create something beautiful together!

Wedding days end, newborns become toddlers, and parents become grandparents. These moments go by so fast. You deserve to live fully in them,  to be present, and then relive them through imagery that tells your story. Photography is more than just a picture, it’s a way to document your history. These are the good old days. Let me help you remember them.

photos that live up to the

memories

I believe every story deserves to be seen, felt & remembered.

Bruce Gilden

"I love the people I photograph. I mean, they're my friends. I've never met most of them or I don't know them at all, yet through my images I live with them."

Words I Live by

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Photographer, dog mom, book hoarder, and Trader Joe’s loyalist. I’m a Pisces, an ENFJ, and an Enneagram 3, which basically means I feel everything, care deeply, and always have a running to-do list (with color coding).

These days, I’m also figuring out life as a new mom — balancing baby snuggles with camera gear and reminding myself to slow down and soak it all in. I’ve built a career out of noticing the details, chasing the light, and turning everyday moments into art.

Wanna know more about the girl behind the photos (and the caffeine habit)?

Then let's connect! 

I'm Shannon.

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