Where To Take Photos Around Palo Alto

Before moving to the Bay Area, I had always heard about how gorgeous the region is, but had never really experienced it for myself. Now that we live in Palo Alto, I am overwhelmed by the lush beauty of the entire Bay, especially the Peninsula. As a Bay Area photographer, the first thing I did when I moved here was research where to take photos around Palo Alto. After visiting so many beautiful places, I am even more amazed by the variety of gorgeous locations to use as backdrops for capturing the memories of my clients. Here are just a few!

Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Photoshoot

I love the Gamble Garden as a Palo Alto photoshoot location because it has many unique backdrops, include a gorgeous rose garden. In my personal life, I also love to take my kids there to have a picnic and let my toddlers run some energy out!

I love using Gamble Garden for Bay Area family photography sessions–see more examples here.

Filoli Historic House & Garden Photoshoot

Filoli is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in the Bay Area. It’s a sprawling estate with formal gardens and beautiful architecture. Each location within Filoli surpasses the last, providing a diverse range of stunning backdrops for capturing memorable moments.

Note: Filoli family photography requires a separate entrance fee.

Palo Alto Photoshoot Location: Arastradero Preserve Photoshoot

The Arastradero Preserve is a beautiful backdrop for simple, clean photos. The colors there are pretty neutral, so this location is perfect for those with a more neutral color palette at home! Doing your photoshoot here, like the family sessions above, will give you that classic Palo Alto look of open space grasslands.

Palo Alto Photoshoot Location: Arizona Cactus Garden

Fun fact: I’m originally from Arizona (more about me here!) and I just love desert landscapes. I love doing portrait sessions at the Arizona Cactus Garden on Stanford campus because there is a wide range of backdrops–so we can get a great variety while maintaining cohesiveness overall.

Menlo Park Photoshoot Location: Sharon Park

If you’re looking for where to take photos around Palo Alto and you want somewhere that’s less commonly seen, Sharon Park is for you. Located in the Sharon Heights neighborhood of Menlo Park, Sharon Park has many great places to take photos. It also has a nice playground for kids to run off some energy after the session!

Foothills Nature Preserve Photoshoot

The Foothills Nature Preserve is a special place with a remarkable diversity of settings. Here you will find native plants, grasslands, oak trees, wildflowers, and more! I like to start at Boronda Lake to get some shots on the docks (like the senior session pictured above) and then drive around in order to diversify the backdrops.

Note: There is a $6 per vehicle daily entrance fee.

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With this area being as beautiful as it is, there is no shortage of places to take photos around Palo Alto. If you’re looking for a Palo Alto photographer, contact me here!