Finding the right park for your session is all about variety and movement. The Seattle area is packed with beautiful green spots where you can wander through quiet tree-lined paths, relax in grassy fields, or catch wide views over the water.
Below are my go-to park spots, including what makes each one unique and a few insider tips on parking and peak seasons.
To give you a real sense of what to expect, the featured photo galleries show these parks under various lighting and weather conditions—bright sun, soft gray clouds, and rainy days included.
University of Washington (Seattle / U-District)
Why I Love It: UW offers a unique mix that feels like a European estate right in Seattle. You get impressive historic buildings, stone arches, and grand steps paired with lush green quads and mature trees. It’s perfect if you want your photos to feel sophisticated, classic, and versatile.
A quick photographer tip: Campus gets super busy during spring cherry blossom season and graduation weeks! Keep in mind that parking on campus is paid year-round.
Saint Edward State Park (Kenmore)
Why I Love It: This park is an absolute gem because it gives you a rare mix of grand, historic architecture and lush PNW nature all in one place. The iconic brick Lodge building and surrounding grounds give photos a polished, high-end feel, while the surrounding trails, tall trees, and grassy lawns offer plenty of soft, organic backdrops. It’s huge, peaceful, and feels super private compared to city parks.
A quick photographer tip: Just keep in mind that a Discover Pass is required for parking here.
Ballinger Lake Park (Mountlake Terrace)
Why I Love It: It gives you two really distinct looks in one easy walkthrough. You get a broad, open view right by the lake, which catches sunlight beautifully, paired with wide grassy field and plenty of open shade. The lush trees and water backgrounds make it hard to believe you’re still right in the middle of town, giving your photos a soft, effortless, and natural feel.
Bellevue Botanical Garden (Bellevue)
Why I Love It: When everything is in full bloom, this spot is so much fun to shoot at. It’s packed with vibrant greenery, manicured gardens, and colorful backdrops that give you a ton of variety in just one stroll.
A quick pro-tip for this location: Timing is everything here! Keep in mind that weekends—especially during spring (with all the prom photos!) and peak summer bloom—can get super crowded, and parking can be a real headache. To get the best light and have the gardens mostly to ourselves, I always recommend booking a weekday session here!
Green Lake Park (Seattle)
Why I Love It: While walking the whole loop for photos can be a bit underwhelming and overly busy, Green Lake has a few specific, tucked-away spots that are absolute gems. I stick to a couple of hidden nooks with beautiful mature trees, soft water reflections, and great light where we can actually get clean, peaceful shots without dodging crowds.
Pro-tip: Since Green Lake is a city favorite, I always recommend weekday sessions here so we can easily park, head straight to the best pockets, and enjoy a relaxed shoot!
Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle)
Why I Love It: It’s basically a massive forest right in the middle of the city. To be honest, it’s definitely not the easiest location if you try to explore the whole thing, as it requires a lot of walking. However, I know a couple of specific spots that are super easy to reach right from the parking area. They give you those gorgeous, towering trees and rich green forest backdrops without making you trek for miles.
A quick photographer tip: Thanks to the dense tree canopy, these spots offer smooth, flattering shade even in bright sunlight
