This ultimate guide of favorite Seattle area senior portrait locations has been compiled over many years of planning the most beautiful photoshoots with senior girls. As a senior photographer in the Pacific Northwest, I have had the opportunity to shoot in some incredibly gorgeous locations. And some have become favorites that senior girls consistently fall in love with!

Beaches:

Beaches are always a favorite request by senior girls. And they look beautiful anytime of year! Sand and open water look wonderful with any outfit choices from super casual to formal. And beaches have the added rustic element of driftwood, sand, and rocks.

A few favorites: Discovery Park Beach and Lighthouse, Golden Gardens, and Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Flower Farms:

Flower farms can provide some of the most stunning color and layered backgrounds for senior portraits. And they are one of my absolute favorite choices! A lot of flower farms do require reservations and fees, so be sure to check with individual locations. We have a lot of beautiful choices throughout the greater Eastside. And I discover new ones every year.

A few favorites: JB Family Growers, Scattered Seeds, and Snohomish Lavender Farm.

Rivers:

River locations like this one in North Bend have a peaceful, rustic look to them. Photographs in these spots tend to have a calm quality. If you aren’t a fan of crowds, rivers are usually in more remote areas with fewer people. Perfect for those wanting some privacy.

A few favorites: Tanner Landing Park, Middle Fork, and Monroe’s Al Borlin Park

Mountains:

Mountains look beautiful in senior photos and add rich layers and dimension. Pay attention to the coloring you are hoping for in your mountains. The time of year will have a significant affect on snow and hue of the peaks.

A few favorites: Middle Fork, Tanner Landing Park, and Meadowbrook Farm

Lakes:

Lake locations look just a little bit different than ocean front beaches in the area. Lakes can have more greenery, florals, and calmer water. Some spots also have an added dock or bridge element.

A few favorites: Juanita Beach Park, Luther Burbank Park, and Lake Sammamish State Park

Open Fields:

Never underestimate the beauty of a big open field. Golden grass and open sky are stunning in senior pictures. And some of these locations offer beautiful wildflower fields if you time your session right! These spots won’t compete with you or your outfits, allow room for movement, and offer plenty of light.

A few favorites: Discovery Park, Juanita Bay Park, and Marymoor Park

Rustic Vibes:

If rustic is more your vibe, there are a lot of amazing pnw spots to choose from. These places are usually away from crowds, have a peaceful feel, and allow you to connect with nature. Feel free to bring casual and dressy outfit options for these locations. They all look great!

A few favorites: Evans Creek Preserve, Old Owen Barn, and Rattlesnake Lake

Manicured Parks:

Manicured parks are usually a nice combination of short grass open areas, benches, flower beds, small gardens, and rock an/or wall elements. Some also have steps and buildings mixed in.

A few favorites: Heritage Park, Downtown Bellevue Park, and Volunteer Park

Urban:

If you are more into an urban vibe, there are some wonderful places to choose from. Urban locations look great anytime of year!

A few favorites: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle waterfront piers, Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market

Arboretums:

Arboretums tend to be a little more naturally green and less manicured than flower farms. They can also be very large! So plan on comfy shoes for the larger ones! I love arboretums for the layered foliage and blooms, diverse color, and variety of backgrounds.

A few favorites: Bellevue Botanical Garden, Washington Park Arboretum, and Highline Botanical Garden

Adventure:

The Pacific Northwest has some of the most amazing adventure locations if you are up for some travel. It can be well worth the time for an incredibly unique experience.

A few favorites: Moulton Falls Bridge, Christianson’s Nursery, Franklin Falls, and Mt Baker or Rainier

Some of the above locations fall into more than one category. Those are always gems! For example; Discovery Park in Seattle has open fields, beach, lighthouse, sandy bluff, wildflowers, and trees. If you are looking for a lot of variety in your senior portrait gallery, you have a few options.

1. Look for locations that provide some different scenery throughout the space.

2. Select a couple of locations that are closer together so you can visit both.

3. Book a longer photoshoot if you would like to select more than one location spaced further apart.

If you are still feeling overwhelmed with choices, I always recommend deciding on an overall feeling or vibe that you want. Then, start scrolling Pinterest or Social Media for some inspiration photos that represent your dream look. And from there, I can help my seniors discover the perfect location to fit their needs. My Senior Guide is another great resource for those who book a session with me. Look for a senior photographer who offers this type of guide to help you with planning the most amazing senior photoshoot experience possible.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Janelle