One of the questions I get most often as a Vacaville family photographer is, “Where should we take our photos?”
Over the years, I’ve photographed families in a variety of settings throughout Vacaville, Winters, Davis, and Dixon, and here’s what I’ve learned: the best photo spot is one where your family can actually enjoy the experience. An accessible setting that works well for families with young children and babies always makes for happier kids and better photos!
Thankfully, we have a ton of beautiful, family-friendly photo options in Vacaville and the surrounding areas!
Whether you love golden hills, big oak trees, gardens, downtown architecture, or a clean studio backdrop, there are so many great locations for photos.
Short drives, short walks and easy parking are necessities, so I’m always thinking about accessibility along with beauty!
With that in mind, here are the best family photo spots in Vacaville!
Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Park
Lagoon Valley is one of my favorite photo shoot locations because it’s familiar to so many people, but has a surprising amount variety in one setting!
Lagoon Valley has open views, rolling hills, redwoods, water, mature oak trees, and plenty of natural greenery. The landscape changes throughout the year with wildflowers in spring or rustic grasses in late summer. There’s lots of room to move, explore, and interact.
Best for: Families who want a short drive, easy access, a variety of vignettes, golden-hour light, and a relaxed outdoor session.
The U.C. Davis Arboretum
UC Davis Arboretum
Just a twenty-minute drive from Vacaville, the UC Davis Arboretum is another favorite for family and maternity photography.
Tucked throughout the UC Davis campus, the Arboretum is a sprawling network of gardens and walking paths winding along Putah Creek.
It’s got mature trees, gardens, bridges, redwoods, and open spaces spread across several miles. Depending on the season, you can find flowers and lush foliage or a quieter, more natural landscape.
The gardens are beautifully maintained, with smooth, open paths and grassy areas where little ones can run barefoot on soft grass.
Best for: Families and maternity sessions that love gardens, greenery, trees, and a beautifully maintained, romantic natural setting.
Browns Valley Hills & Open Space
If you’re looking for that classic Northern California look, the Browns Valley area is it!
Rolling golden hills with gentle, easy-to-walk inclines, mature trees, rugged boulders, and wide-open views create a beautiful backdrop for family photography.
In winter, the hills are lush and green; by summer, they turn a warm golden brown. They’re especially pretty just before sunset, when everything takes on that warm, glowing quality I love.
This is one of my favorite photo spots near Vacaville for families who want their images to feel expansive, and distinctly California.
Best for: Families who love golden hills, mature trees, and wide-open scenery.
Downtown Vacaville
Not every great photo spot needs to be surrounded by trees and fields.
Downtown Vacaville offers a completely different look, with historic buildings, exposed brick, interesting architecture, and beautiful open shade.
I love this option for families who want something a little more modern or editorial. The architecture adds texture and interest while still allowing the session to feel relaxed and natural.
Best for: Families looking for an urban, modern, or slightly editorial feel.
The Shoot Space in Vacaville
The Shoot Space is my natural-light studio in Vacaville and a wonderful option for families who want a more polished look.
The studio offers a classic white backdrop in a natural light setting. It’s also a great option when you want photographs without worrying about weather, the season, or finding the perfect outdoor location.
The simple, white walls are a perfect backdrop for personalizing cake smashes and milestone sessions!
Best for: Families who love natural light, simple portraits, a personalized set-up and a comfortable indoor setting.
Downtown Winters
If you love the charm of a small town, Downtown Winters is a charming option for family photos.
The historic buildings, storefronts, textured walls, historic train bridge, and charming storefronts with cafe lights create a timeless, small-town setting. It’s especially fun in the fall, when it feels like a scene straight out of Stars Hollow! It’s grown in popularity over the years, so it’s best during the week, when foot traffic is lighter.
Best for: Families who love charming small-town settings, historic architecture, and a little more urban texture in their photos.
Silveyville Tree Farm
For holiday photos, Silveyville Tree Farm is every local’s nostalgic holiday spot!
Rows of evergreens and gravel paths make a beautiful backdrop for simple, classic Christmas photos that feel festive without needing much in the way of props. Bring a plaid blanket or a red wagon and you are set!
Best for: Christmas photos, holiday cards, and families who love a traditional holiday setting.
The Sunflower Fields
If you’re looking for one of the most colorful photo spots around Vacaville, sunflower season ramps up in July and August.
For a short time each summer, the fields around Dixon, Davis, and Vacaville become filled with bright sunflowers, creating a fun and joyful setting for family photos. They’re especially wonderful for little kids because the flowers create such an immersive environment.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t my personal favorite spot to photograph, because there’s less room to run and explore, but it’s a popular choice for a lot of photographers!
Best for: Summer family photos, playful sessions, and families who love color.
Almond Blossoms
One of the things I love about living in the Vacaville area is that we have seasonal landscapes that feel uniquely Northern California.
Almond blossom season in late February is a big deal for photographers in the area! When the almond trees bloom in early spring, the orchards are covered in delicate white and pale-pink blossoms. For a short time, they create a dreamy, white backdrop for family and maternity photographs.
Because blossom season falls at the end of rainy season, the orchard can sometimes be muddy. A little planning and flexibility can help you catch the blossoms at their peak when the ground is dry, but it’s well worth it!
Best for: Spring family photos, maternity sessions, and anyone looking for a uniquely local setting.
Mustard Fields
If you want a photo session that feels like spring in Vacaville, mustard fields are hard to beat.
For a few weeks in late winter and early spring, the hills and agricultural areas around Vacaville can turn brilliant yellow with blooming mustard. The season is short, and exactly when and where the flowers are at their best can change from year to year depending on the weather.
Like almond blossoms, it’s one of those distinctly local landscapes that you really have to catch at the right moment!
Best for: Spring family photos, maternity sessions, and anyone who wants a colorful, quintessentially Solano County backdrop.
Dixon Orchards
For a more rustic and relaxed look, Ruhstaller Farm in Dixon is another beautiful option for family photos.
Rows of trees and a rustic wood fence create a simple, organic backdrop that works especially well with families and young children. It’s best midweek in spring for lighter foot traffic and a canopy of leaves.
Best for: Families who love rustic charm, natural textures, and an organic outdoor setting.
Your Own Home
Sometimes, the best location for photographs is simply your own home.
I offer in-home newborn sessions throughout the Vacaville area, and I love the relaxed, personal feel they bring to photographs. Your baby is photographed in the place where you’re already settling into life together.
I promise, you don’t need a perfectly clean or decorated home. We use the natural light in your home and focus in on details and connection.
Best for: Newborn sessions, families who want a relaxed and personal experience, and anyone who loves photographs that feel authentic to home.
Family Photography in Vacaville, Winters, Davis & Dixon
I photograph families throughout Vacaville, Winters, Davis, Dixon, and the surrounding Solano and Yolo County communities. When you book a session with me, you don’t have to spend hours searching for the perfect location or wondering where the best light will be.
I’ve gotten to know so many of these locations not just for how they look, but for how they work for a photo session for families with young children.
I’ll help you choose a location from my private location guide and take care of the rest!
Ready to Plan Your Family Photos?
If you’re looking for a Vacaville family photographer for your family, maternity, newborn, or milestone session, I’d love to help you create photographs that feel like your family.
Explore Family Photography Sessions →
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Explore Milestone and First Birthday Sessions →
Let’s find the perfect setting for your family!
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