As a photographer, there are few things more delightful than capturing the joy and energy of a young family. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing family photos at UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. The garden’s expansive landscapes, diverse plant life, and serene atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for their session.

Here’s a little peek into what made this session so special and why the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is one of my favorite locations for family photos.

The Perfect Location: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

Nestled in the Berkeley hills, the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden offers over 34 acres of diverse plant collections from all over the world. It’s truly a photographer’s dream. With its winding paths, shaded groves, and vibrant flowers, there are endless opportunities for creating dynamic, beautiful photos that feel like they’re in a magical oasis.

The garden allows for both open spaces where kids can run and play, as well as quieter, more intimate spots where families can snuggle up for those precious family moments. The variety of the garden’s settings—from desert cacti to lush redwoods—gives us plenty of options to capture the different personalities and dynamics within the family.

Working with Little Ones: The Joy of Candid Moments

Photographing young children, especially a toddler and a young child, is always an adventure. Their boundless energy and natural curiosity are what make sessions so fun and unpredictable. For this session, we embraced the chaos, letting the toddler son’s playful spirit lead the way while his older sister showed off her gentle, nurturing side.

The best family photos are often unposed and full of natural interactions, so we let the kids explore. The botanical garden became their playground, from peeking at flowers to running across a bridge. Their curiosity was contagious, and it made for some beautiful candid moments. The laughter, the running, and those sweet, fleeting moments when the toddler paused long enough to cuddle with his parents—those were the real magic.

Making the Most of the Light

The morning light at the botanical garden is just incredible. On this morning, there was fog up in the hills which created soft, golden light filtering through the trees. This soft, glowy light made the perfect backdrop for the family’s portraits, especially with the garden’s beautiful, natural setting.

Wrapping Up: Why I Love Family Sessions in the Botanical Garden

The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is one of my absolute favorite places for family sessions. The blend of natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place for families to be themselves and enjoy the moment. For this family of four, the garden provided a calm yet playful environment where the children could explore, and the parents could relax and connect with their little ones.

If you’re thinking about booking an outdoor family session, I highly recommend considering a location like the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. It’s a place where we can capture both the candid, playful moments and the tender, quiet ones—creating a well-rounded collection of images that reflect your family’s unique bond.

Whether you have energetic toddlers or more grown-up kids, this garden is a treasure trove of photo opportunities, and I can’t wait to go back for more unforgettable sessions!