Family Photos in the Bay Area Redwoods | Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland
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!
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.
"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.
throughout the entire session."
"She has a unique ability to make you feel at ease
and keep you laughing
