My favorite Seattle photo locations
Having lived in Seattle for most of my life (minus 4 years in rural areas), I have favorite places for photography! There are best places for views of the Seattle skyline, and best places for different types of portraits. Want something that feels industrial? Or want something that looks like you're in the middle of the wilderness? I got you.
I've put together my top 5 list for portrait locations with consideration for accessibility and ease to navigate and find. Now, there are many more places I love but I find these the most popular for my clients. These are not the only places I do portraits outdoors, but they are my favorites.
#1 Lincoln Park, West Seattle
A favorite park of mine personally this park has both a water side trail and woods.
For clients who want the water and woodland options, I love working here.
ADA info: there is parking by the water so you don't have to navigate the steep trails down from the upper parking lot. But this does means we mostly have water side and some trees but not the woodland look for those who need wheeled access.
#2 South Seattle College Arboretum
What I love about this place is that they have a lovely variety of plants, trees and accessible pathways. With all the variety, the seasons find different colors here too - from fall foliage to summer roses to evergreen like this multi-generational lifestyle portrait.
ADA info: the first part of the Arboretum here is paved which is wonderful for the garden and seasonal flowers background too!
#3 Hamilton View Point, West Seattle
A hidden gem for a Seattle Skyline view, and nature without hiking! While my parent's high school years knew this spot as a place to make out or get high, I have seen folks visit for their postcard selfie, or eat lunch.
What I love is that it's not too large to navigate for both the Seattle as a backdrop or nature.
It's also small enough that it doesn't get too busy on the weekends as people don't stay for long. Without a restroom facility, I use it for short Mini Sessions.
ADA info: the access is mostly for the view point, which isn't as well designed for view below the railing. There are some areas with nature backgrounds, but mostly not as accessible in my opinion.
#4 Georgetown
In the early founding of our city, this area boasted the most bars and taverns in the city! It also is home to some of our core industries from electricity to beer. What I love about this place are the variety of buildings for urban backgrounds. It does get busy on the weekends, so I only go here on weekdays or mornings.
ADA info: being an older part of the city, some of the sidewalks are accessible with the urban background options, but would need to be strategic with parking.
#5 Olympic Sculpture Park
Nestled at the north end of the Seattle Downtown waterfront, this park is part of the Seattle Art Museum which means it has both sculptures and curated landscaping to merge the PNW nature with artwork.
I love it for clients who want both options: something artful with structure and nature.
It does get busy on the weekends, but thankfully there is parking garage and lots of street parking nearby.
ADA info: there is parking under the Pavilion with access to the upper part of the park which is good for more of the urban texture backgrounds. The pathways are mostly small gravel or include steps.
