Location, Location, Location
Baker Beach
Perhaps the most iconic beach of San Francisco, Baker Beach offers variety: Classic beach and bridge views, sandy cliffs, coastal trees, and some dilapidated but aesthetically interesting barracks… Baker Beach is a one-stop shop for a variety of beautiful backdrops! It works equally well for early morning and sunset sessions. I do love photographing here, but I don’t love the crowds as they can distract from the beauty of your photos and the intimacy of the session. Sunrise sessions are usually uncrowded and weeknight sunset sessions are also manageable in terms of crowds. It’s not recommended for a weekend sunset session as it is just too hectic. One final downside is the old dude nudists are a fixture at this beach (they are there year round) so if you don’t want to see old naked men, this is not the location for you.
Lands End/ Sutro Baths
Lands End and Sutro Baths offer some of the most striking scenery in San Francisco, with rugged cliffs, windswept trees, coastal trails, and sweeping views of the Pacific. They can each serve as a beautiful session location on their own, or we can combine them for a gallery with plenty of variety.
Lands End is ideal for a relaxed, nature-filled session. We can stay near the more accessible overlooks or venture farther along the trails and bluffs for a sense of adventure. From there, we can continue down to Sutro Baths, where the historic ruins, dramatic coastline, and nearby beach create an unmistakably San Francisco backdrop.
These locations are beautiful in both sunshine and fog. Clear evenings bring warm coastal light, while fog creates a softer, moodier atmosphere that feels especially magical. Early mornings are often my favorite time to photograph here because the light is lovely and the area is much quieter. I generally avoid weekend evenings, when the baths and surrounding trails can become extremely crowded.
De Young Museum/
Music Concourse
The de Young Museum and surrounding Music Concourse are perfect for a modern, art-inspired photography session. The area offers an incredible mix of sculptural architecture, clean lines, rich textures, and bold terracotta tones.
One of the highlights is the museum’s outdoor Skyspace installation, where shifting light and shadow create a striking backdrop that feels different throughout the day. With so much visual variety nearby, this location works beautifully for couples, families, maternity portraits, and individual sessions.
It is also a wonderful alternative for anyone who cannot schedule a sunrise or sunset shoot. Many areas photograph beautifully throughout the day, although access to certain spaces may depend on museum hours.
Woodline / Lovers Land in the Presidio
Wood Line at Lovers’ Lane is a peaceful, wooded setting tucked inside the Presidio. At its center is Andy Goldsworthy’s winding art installation, created from eucalyptus branches that weave through the forest floor and provide a wonderfully organic backdrop for photographs.
The filtered light, towering trees, and earthy textures give sessions here a quiet, slightly enchanted feeling in both sunshine and fog. It is especially lovely for families, as children can explore, play, and interact naturally with the surroundings while I capture a mix of candid moments and portraits.
Fort Point
A National Historic Site located under the Golden Gate Bridge and at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay, this is another one of San Francisco’s beautiful and unique locations. Fort Point is architecturally stunning with interesting geometric backdrops, beautiful brick-red archways, and especially fun for all you history buffs out there. On the top level you can stand underneath the golden gate bridge with views of the Pacific Ocean, SF Bay and downtown SF. It’s only opened Fridays – Mondays 10-5, but can work well anytime within that window. This is an edgy, funky and unique venue.
Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is a very popular photography session location in San Francisco. It is a very beautiful Beaux-Arts styled building with an interesting history, a pretty pond and some nice greenery around. This location is almost always crowded especially in the main dome area so it is only recommended for early morning sessions or weekday evenings. Expect some crowds regardless of session time. The design and composition possibilities here are quite fine and it works well if you are looking for a formal backdrop for your family, couples engagement or maternity session.