East Bay Redwoods Photography Sessions | Oakland, CA
There aren’t many locations I love more than the iconic redwood forests that dominate the hills in the Oakland Hills. These beautiful forests make for great hiking, a picnic or even your yearly family photos! For families that like twice yearly photos, redwoods in the fall and wildflowers in the spring is a perfect combination!
The redwood forests are a gem of a location for many situations:
- Maternity Sessions
- Extended Family Sessions
- Families who need flexible (morning / afternoon) start times
- Families with special mobility needs
Flat trails
The redwood grove that I like to use is very close to the parking lot making it a great choice for families with little kids, or extended family sessions that have grandparents with mobility issues. If needed, the entire session can be done without stepping too far off the paths.
The flat trails and small amount of walking make this a great option for maternity photos also!
Wide, safe spaces
If you have toddlers that need space to run around without worrying about hills or cliffs, this is a great option. Despite being in a forest, there are some areas that are quite open and great for running and playing. The large space in this redwood grove also makes it a great option for extended family sessions. If you need a space that can accommodate grandparents, brothers, sisters and all their kids, this is a great place to consider.
Flexible start times
Most photography sessions start about an hour before sunset. This helps capture the beautiful soft light that occurs just before the sun goes down. The redwood forest however, is one of the few locations that can be used most of the day! If you need a morning session, this is the best option in the East Bay. Similarly, the forest can accommodate a session in the late afternoon which can help avoid bedtimes on those summer nights where the sun sets after 8:00 PM.
If you think a redwood forest might be what you’re looking for, take a peek through some other redwoods sessions!
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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