Maternity Pictures at Old Borges Ranch
A popular spot in Walnut Creek (especially if you have little ones), Old Borges Ranch makes for a lovely location for maternity or family pictures! I have photographed this location dozens of times, and frequently bring by own family here to hike! I hope my insight can help you decide if this is the right place for your maternity photos!
About the Ranch
Borges Ranch really has it all! As part of the Walnut Creek Open Space, the trails are beautifully kept and always a stunning backdrop. These particular trails are nice and wide, making it a perfect spot if you have toddlers! No sharp drop offs! Plus, once you get up the first hill, its almost completely flat.
If you’re feeling a bit to pregnant to get up that hill, there are plenty of areas down by the farm for family and maternity pictures. Old Borges Ranch has a cute little farm with tons of goats and chickens. There are also quite a bit of cattle, but they are sometimes grazing the Open Space above the ranch. A pretty white fence surrounds a garden that blooms in the spring. The ranch also has some tall cactus and plenty of barns and sheds to give your maternity photos a rustic flair.
Tips for Maternity Photos at Old Borges Ranch
- Long flowy dresses look amazing if you venture to the trails above the ranch, but if you’re planning to have your pictures taken at the actual ranch, I wouldn’t suggest something long. (It’s an active ranch and the animals will leave their droppings as the please).
- If you want to hike to the Open Space trails above, I would recommend comfortable shoes for the walk up. It’s not a huge hill, but the wrong shoes AND a pregnant belly could be tough.
- If you’re planning for both the ranch and the Walnut Creek Open Space trails, make sure to do the ranch first. It gets dark there early. Plus you don’t want to miss the epic sunset from up top. It never fails to deliver!
I hope these tips have helped you decide if you’d like your photography session at Old Borges Ranch. It is always a favorite of mine! If this isn’t quite right, check out another favorite spot of mine for maternity photos. This spot is in nearby Martinez. If you prefer to still have some mountains in the background, there are also some amazing locations near Mt Diablo.
Jenn Chen is a family, maternity and newborn photographer in the Walnut Creek area. While she works with families of all sizes, she specializes in working with young children and toddlers (she has a 2 and 4 year old of her own!). Jenn has been photographing families since 2017 but has had a passion for photography since she was a child. Jenn has a photography studio in downtown Martinez which is currently open for newborn sessions and children’s portraits.
Jenn is a member of NAPCP and as of 2024 was recognized as a “Master of Family Photography” based on her current portfolio. As of 2025, Jenn was accepted as one of NAPCPs California ambassadors. Jenn is also a member of Nikon Professional Services.
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