I’ve accumulated a list of some great location ideas in and around Seattle, including the Eastside, for senior photo sessions. Each spot offers a unique backdrop, so you can choose a location that reflects your style and personality.
Seattle Locations for Senior Portraits
Discovery Park
With stunning views of Puget Sound, grassy meadows, and coastal cliffs, Discovery Park is ideal for those who love nature. Its mix of open fields, forest paths, and beaches offers versatility.
Tony’s Thoughts: Simply my favorite photo shoot location in the Seattle area. It’s almost my personal photo studio.
Past Senior Photos Sessions at Discovery Park:
Seattle Discovery Park Senior Portrait Session
Seattle Senior Portraits at Discovery Park
Washington Park Arboretum
With its wide variety of trees, flowers, and walking paths, the Arboretum is perfect for seniors who love the changing seasons and want colorful, nature-filled photos.
Tony’s Thoughts: Simply a beautiful setting; especially during the Fall. Great in the Spring, too. It could get a bit crowded.
Magnuson Park
With lakefront views, open fields, and forested areas, Magnuson Park offers a versatile setting for seniors looking for a mix of water and greenery.
Tony Thoughts: Very similar to Discovery Park. One of my favorite settings for senior photos and couple engagements.
University of Washington
The iconic cherry blossom trees in spring, gothic architecture, and wide lawns make UW’s campus a perfect spot for seniors who want an academic and classic feel to their photos.
Tony’s Thoughts: As much as I love the Quad cherry blossoms in the spring, there is no getting away from the crowds. I don’t recommend a spring shoot for that reason. However, I highly recommend photo shoots during the Fall
Past senior photo shoot sessions:
Vibrant Fall Seattle Senior Portrait Session (tonyasgari.com)
Golden Gardens Park
Golden Gardens offers a stunning beach setting with driftwood, sandy shores, and sunset views over the Puget Sound. It’s ideal for seniors wanting a relaxed, beachy vibe with a Pacific Northwest twist.
Tony’s Thoughts: Highly recommended. It could get crowded during the summer.
Seward Park
This peaceful park offers lakeside views, forest trails, and a serene environment. It’s a great option for seniors who want a natural backdrop without leaving the city.
Olympic Sculpture Park
For a modern, artsy vibe, Olympic Sculpture Park combines contemporary art with views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. It’s perfect for seniors who want something creative and urban.
Tony’s Thoughts: Recommended. Downtown parking maybe a slight challenge.
Ballard Locks and Botanical Garden
The Ballard Locks offer a unique mix of water views, boats, and lush botanical gardens. It’s perfect for seniors who want a blend of urban and nature backdrops.
Tony’s Thoughts: Recommended during the Fall.
Alki Beach – Seacrest Park
Alki Beach gives a coastal vibe with views of Puget Sound and downtown Seattle in the distance. The sandy beach and driftwood are great backdrops.
Tony’s Thoughts: Finding parking could be a challenge.
Kubota Garden
Kubota Garden is a peaceful, Japanese-inspired garden with ponds, bridges, and lush greenery. Perfect for a serene, nature-filled backdrop with a bit of elegance.
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park offers a mix of industrial and natural elements, with views of downtown Seattle and Lake Union. The old machinery and structures create an edgy vibe, while the grassy hills add a softer touch.
Green Lake Park
A classic Seattle location, Green Lake offers tree-lined paths, open water views, and plenty of green space. It’s perfect for a casual outdoor setting with a relaxed vibe.
Volunteer Park – Capital Hill
A classic Seattle park location with easy access.
Eastside Locations for Senior Portraits
Rattlesnake Lake – North Bend
Perfect for the adventurous senior who loves the outdoors, Rattlesnake Lake features a beautiful lake, forested trails, and mountain backdrops.
Tony’s Thoughts: One of my favorite locations. The tree stumps offer an out-of-this-world vibe to it.
Past senior photos shoot sessions:
Bellevue High School Senior Portraits at Rattlesnake Lake
Marymoor Park – Redmond
This large park offers open fields, wooded trails, and rustic fences, making it ideal for seniors seeking a laid-back, natural environment without traveling too far from the city.
Tony’s Thoughts: Highly recommended at all seasons. Simply a stunning setting.
Past senior photo shoot sessions:
Kirkland Senior Photos | Lake Washington High School
Natural Light Outdoor Seattle High School Senior Photos
Seattle Senior Photo Session in Marymoor Park
Chism Beach Park – Bellevue
Chism Beach Park offers waterfront views of Lake Washington, sandy shores, and a peaceful park environment, perfect for a relaxed, laid-back vibe.
Wilburton Hill Park – Bellevue
This park features lush greenery, forested trails, and open fields, offering a variety of natural backdrops for senior photos. It’s great for a relaxed, nature-focused session.
Juanita Bay Park – Kirkland
Juanita Bay Park offers lakeside views, wooden boardwalks, and wetlands—ideal for seniors seeking a scenic, nature-filled location close to the city.
Bridle Trails State Park -Kirkland
This expansive park provides a wooded setting with miles of trails, tall trees, and peaceful nature all around. It’s great for seniors who want a quiet, rustic backdrop.
Marina Park – Kirkland
With waterfront views, a marina, and beach area, Marina Park offers a blend of lakeside serenity and urban charm in downtown Kirkland. It’s perfect for seniors who want both water and city vibes.
Mercer Slough Nature Park – Bellevue
This 320-acre nature park features wetlands, boardwalks, and quiet trails, perfect for seniors seeking a peaceful, nature-focused backdrop with a unique vibe.
Luther Burbank Park – Mercer Island
Offers lakefront views, sandy beaches, and scenic walking trails. With its docks, wetlands, and open fields, it’s ideal for seniors seeking a mix of water, forest, and open-space backdrops.
Tony’s Thoughts: Highly recommended at all seasons. Simply a stunning setting.
Past senior photo shoot sessions:
Senior Portrait Shoot at Mercer Island’s Luther Burbank Park (tonyasgari.com)
Lake Sammamish State Park – Issaquah
Lake Sammamish State Park features sandy beaches, grassy fields, and a beautiful lake, offering plenty of variety for a peaceful lakeside feel.
Tollgate Farm Park – North Bend
A scenic local park with Mt. Si in the background. Super charming
Scatter Seeds Flower Farm – Monroe
It’s a private nursery and has a beautiful field of flowers that begins coloring up in May and continues a beautiful cycle of ever-changing color and texture all the way up until the first frost which is typically mid-October. They permit photo shoot but for a fee that will be an additional cost to you. More information can be found on their website
Tony’s Thoughts: I have not yet photographed a session here but have scouted the location and it is stunning.
These locations offer a wide variety of backdrops from urban to natural, ensuring you’ll find the perfect spot to reflect your style and personality. When choosing a location, think about which setting complements your look and vibe!
