The Best Places in Sacramento for Photos

As a Sacramento wedding photographer and studio owner, I have visited hundreds of photo spots in the area! A few stand above the rest and have become my favorite go-to spots for photo sessions. Sacramento is a beautiful city year-round, and there are some incredible outdoor locations that are beautiful options for your next photo shoot! And if you’re looking to plan an indoor session, I have you covered there, too! 

WPA Rock Garden

WPA Rock Garden is one of Sacramento’s many lush parks. Sacramento is often called the “city of trees” because it has the most trees per capita in a city second only to Paris! WPA Rock Garden is actually located in the part of the city with the most trees. This park features a wide variety of plants and trees and little winding paths to walk through the incredible greenery. It was founded in 1940 to celebrate the city’s legacy. The best times to take photos at WPA Rock Garden are early in the morning when it’s peaceful and quiet or just before the sunset!

View more photos from WPA Rock Garden on the blog.

Capitol Park

Capitol Park is another one of my absolute favorite locations for photos in Sacramento. The park was dreamed up in 1863 by the California Governor, who wanted to create a Victorian garden that was more luxurious than at any other US Capitol. There are monuments, memorials, walkways, and massive shade trees that are some of the largest of their kind in all of California Within the park, you will find 3 specific locations that are AMAZING for photo sessions:

Desert Garden

The Desert Garden features fun cacti that are perfect for evening sunset photos!

State Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden

During the season when the roses are in full bloom, this location is absolutely breathtaking! Roses make an incredible backdrop for photos.

Capital Walkway of Trees

This walkway is a downtown Sacramento staple! It leads right up to the steps of the Capitol building and is lined with meticulously-groomed trees and landscaping.

UC Davis Arboretum

UC Davis Arboretum is a fan favorite for photos! Couples love having engagement sessions here. The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden location is easily the most diverse and spans the campus’s 5300 acres! The gardens feature local and exotic plants including rare species that are used for teaching, research, and habitat protection. These two spots are my favorites at UC Davis:

Ruth Risdon Storer Garden

This garden and the open fields surrounding it are perfectly kept all year long, so you don’t have to worry about visiting at a certain season!

T. Elliot Weier Redwood Grove

There’s no need to travel hours to find beautiful redwoods! You can take in all of their beauty right on the UC Davis campus. Redwoods are such a unique and beautiful tree and they make an incredible backdrop for photos.

(Check out this engagement session in the redwoods!)

Boulder Ridge Park

If you want an amazing sunset view for your photo shoot, this location is the one for you! The park is rocky and rustic with a breathtaking view. Boulder Ridge Park is located at one of the highest points in Rocklin, CA, so you can enjoy a view of the Sierras, Mt. Diablo, the Sierra Buttes, and downtown Sacramento from this park. There’s lots of space to enjoy the outdoors here as well, along with multiple trailheads and picnic areas. Boulder Ridge Park can tend to get busy, but sunset is still the best time for photos in my opinion.

View the full puppy family session on the blog!

Create & Bloom Studios

Create & Bloom Studios is the perfect indoor option for photos in Sacramento! Create and Bloom came to life after years of dreaming of owning my own studio where I could create, meet clients, and connect with other creative minds. The studio is located in Midtown and features multiple spaces for different types of sessions and events. There is both a natural light studio and an urban loft studio space—each with its own unique vibe. From newborn sessions to glamour shots to couples sessions, Create and Bloom has something for everyone!The Natural Light Studio has both a large and small room that have bright white walls and lots of natural light pouring in. There are plenty of backdrops and setups to make your session your own here! The Urban Loft Studio is a 600 square foot studio that is ideal for portraits and creative sessions. There are also artificial lighting options and some awesome props for moodier styles. You can read more about Create and Bloom on the website!

View a branding shoot from Create and Bloom on the blog.