Your Guide to Beach Family Photo Sessions in Seattle

There is something so special about beach photos in the Pacific Northwest. The rugged driftwood, the views of the Olympics across the Sound, the moody-meets-golden light that Seattle summers serve up... it's honestly hard to beat. If you've been dreaming of a beach session for your family (or your maternity session!), I've got you covered with everything you need to know before we hit the sand.

I've been photographing families in the Seattle area for over 13 years, and beaches are some of my absolute favorite locations to work with. Let's get into it!

The Best Beaches Near Seattle for Family Photos

There are so many beautiful beaches in and around Seattle, and the one that's right for your session really comes down to your location, your preference, and the time of day we're shooting (more on that in a sec!). Here are my favorites:

Golden Gardens is probably the most popular spot for beach sessions in Seattle, and for good reason. It's stunning. The views of the Olympics, the sandy beach, the driftwood... it checks every box. I've written a whole blog post about shooting at Golden Gardens, including what it looks like at both sunrise and sunset, if you want to take a deeper dive!

Carkeek Park is another west-facing favorite with great beach access and a little more of a tucked-away feel. Richmond Beach Saltwater Park up in Shoreline is gorgeous and tends to be a bit less crowded. Seahurst Beach in Burien is a beautiful option if you're south of the city. And then there's the Edmonds waterfront and Brackett's Landing, and another go to - Lincoln Park in West Seattle.

Other honorable mentions: Magnuson Park and Luther Burbank for Lake Washington vibes!

I have an entire guide to the best family session locations in the Seattle area if you want to explore beyond the beach, too!

One note on parking: popular beaches like Golden Gardens can fill up fast during Seattle's summer months, especially on weekends and warm evenings. I always recommend arriving a little early to snag a spot and give yourself time to settle in before we start shooting.

Best Time of Year for Beach Sessions in Seattle

Let's be real: Seattle summers are magic, and that's when beach sessions really shine. June through September is the sweet spot for beach photos, with July and August being the most reliably warm and sunny. The long summer days give us incredible light and tons of flexibility with scheduling.

That said, I've done beautiful beach sessions in May and even into October when the weather cooperates. PNW weather keeps you on your toes, but some of the most stunning light I've ever worked with has been on those partly cloudy days when the sky puts on a show.

Sunrise vs. Sunset: Why It Matters (And Which Beach to Pick)

Okay, here's where it gets fun. This is one of the biggest things I help my clients think through for beach sessions.

In the Seattle summer, sunrise and sunset are very early and very late. We're talking sunrise around 5:15 AM in June and sunset not until nearly 9:15 PM. I know, I know. Neither of those times screams "easy with a toddler." But if you can swing it (or get close to it), the light is absolutely worth it.

The key thing to consider is which direction the beach faces, because this determines whether sunrise or sunset is going to give you the best light.

West-facing beaches like Golden Gardens, Carkeek, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, and Seahurst all face the Sound and the Olympic Mountains. These are your sunset beaches. The sun sets right over the water, and the light is incredible. If we're shooting at one of these spots, I'll recommend an evening session.

East-facing beaches like Magnuson Park are where you want to think about sunrise sessions. When the sun comes up behind us, you get that gorgeous, soft morning light without anyone squinting directly into the sun. It's so much better for natural expressions and posing.

Now, here's the good news: sunset timing doesn't have to be exactly golden hour to get beautiful photos on the beach. We can often start a bit earlier and still get lovely, warm light. So if the idea of wrangling your toddler at 8:45 PM sounds like a stretch, don't worry. We'll find a time that works.

For maternity sessions without kids, sunset is often the way to go. You have more flexibility with timing, and that golden evening light is dreamy for bump photos on the beach.

For families with little ones, sunrise can actually be easier. Kids are often in better moods in the morning (before the day has had a chance to derail things, ha!), and popular beaches tend to be way less crowded at that hour.

That being said, I love doing sunrise sessions at Golden Gardens. It's a totally different vibe from sunset there, and it's equally beautiful. I've also done gorgeous sunrise sessions at Brackett's Landing in Edmonds. As with everything, I'm flexible and can work with whatever you have in mind. After 13 years of shooting around Seattle, I've got experience working with just about every combination of location, time of day, and weather.

What to Wear for a Beach Photo Session

I have a ton of tips on what to wear for family sessions, including guides for spring and summer and maternity sessions specifically. My family session prep guide is also a great place to start! All of those tips apply to beach sessions, but there are a few beach-specific things to keep in mind.

Think about the breeze. Beaches can be windy, especially in the evening. If you're considering a flowy maxi dress, just think about how you feel about that. Sometimes the breeze creates this gorgeous, flowy effect that looks amazing in photos. Other times, it can feel annoying and distracting if you're constantly fighting with your fabric. Only you know which camp you'd fall into, so just give it an honest think!

Please skip the blue shirt and khaki combo. I say this with love, but gentlemen, this is the one outfit combination I'll specifically steer you away from for beach sessions. Blue and khaki will blend right into the water and sand. You'll practically disappear! Opt for warmer tones, greens, or richer colors that complement the natural beach palette rather than matching it.

Be smart about shoes. Your shoes are going to get sandy and probably wet. Don't wear your favorite dressy shoes to the beach. Either bring shoes that can handle sand and water, or plan on kicking them off and going barefoot (which I love, honestly). One thing to know: the rocks between the sand and the water at PNW beaches can be rough and have barnacles on them. It can be nice to have a pair of shoes you can wear across the rocks, even if you take them off for the rest of the session. Just something to plan for!

Bring a towel. This is such a small thing, but you'll thank yourself. A towel to wipe off sandy, wet feet goes a long way toward keeping everyone comfortable (and keeping sand out of your car after the session).

Bring a picnic blanket! I always recommend bringing a blanket to sit on for a few shots, whether that's spreading out on the sand or draping over a piece of driftwood. It adds a cozy, natural element and gives us some variety in posing.

Ready to Book Your Beach Session?

If a beach session is calling your name this summer, I'd love to chat about the best spot and timing for your family. I'll help you think through everything from which beach makes sense for you, to what time of day will work best, to what to wear. That's what I'm here for!

Drop me a line and let's start planning. I can't wait to see you at the beach!