Family Photos in the Bay Area Redwoods | Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland
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November 18, 2024
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I’m so excited to share this blog because I’m finally talking about one of my favorite Bay Area locations for family photos: Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland! This expansive 500-acre park is home to towering redwoods, dog parks, hiking trails, bike paths, and so much more.
During the summer, Roberts Pool, located right across Skyline Boulevard from Joaquin Miller, adds another layer of fun with its large picnic tables and a community swimming pool. It’s amazing that we have a spot in the Bay Area where you can take your kids swimming while being surrounded by beautiful redwood giants.
My Favorite Trail
I’ve been photographing families in these redwoods for about four years, and my favorite spot is the Redwood Glen Trailhead off Skyline Drive. This trailhead is perfect because it’s quiet, spacious, and even on busy weekends, you don’t feel crowded by other parkgoers.
Best Time of Day
The best time for photos in the redwoods depends on the season. Redwoods are naturally darker, which means traditional golden hour lighting doesn’t shine quite the same way as in open spaces. While you might catch some soft, golden light filtering through the trees at sunset, I prefer to schedule sessions about 1–2 hours after sunrise or 1–2 hours before sunset for optimal lighting.
This location is particularly great for families with little ones on strict sleep schedules since we aren’t limited to late evenings. Here’s a breakdown of my preferred times:
- Winter Sessions: Early mornings between 8:00–10:00 AM are ideal. The sun rises a bit higher and creates beautiful light spilling through the trees.
- Summer Sessions: I love scheduling photoshoots closer to 4:00–6:00 PM, as the sun begins to dip and creates soft, even lighting.
Redwood Minis
Every year, I offer full family sessions at Joaquin Miller Park, but this year, I introduced Redwood Mini Sessions for returning clients who needed quick updates. We held these minis between 8:30 AM–12:00 PM, and it was such a joy to reconnect with so many families I’ve photographed before. The photos we captured during those sessions turned out beautifully!
Check out their galleries below!
Book your Family Photos Now!
Remember, Mini Sessions happen just once a year in the fall, but I offer full photoshoots year-round, including sessions for families, couples, maternity, and newborns.
If you’re ready to book a session, inquire here. I hope to see your family in the redwoods this year!
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