Choosing the right location for your photos in nor cal
The location you choose plays a big role in how your photos look and feel, whether it’s an engagement session, couples session, or another lifestyle shoot. Choosing a location doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or overly complicated. The best locations are often the ones that align with your style, the season, and the overall feeling you want your photos to reflect.
This is a curated collection of my favorite photo locations throughout Butte County and Northern California, grouped by vibe, along with a few creative, Instagram worthy location ideas for couples who want something a little more unique. These spots photograph beautifully across different seasons and lighting conditions and offer backdrops that feel natural, elevated, and timeless. Location guidance is always part of the experience, and this list is meant to be a helpful starting point as we choose a setting that feels like you.
upper park, chico
Upper Park offers a peaceful, natural setting surrounded by trees, water, and soft filtered light. This location is ideal for photos that feel calm, romantic, and organic. The trails and lakeside views create a timeless Northern California look that works beautifully for couples who want relaxed, nature focused images with an elevated feel.
Also great for graduates, especially in the spring
Honey run covered bridge, chico
Honey Run Covered Bridge offers a charming, rustic backdrop with a blend of natural surroundings and historic character. The wood textures, surrounding trees, and soft light create a warm, romantic feel that photographs beautifully in every season. This location is perfect for couples who want images that feel timeless, cozy, and uniquely Northern California.
Perfect for any session type
open Fields, Chico
Open fields offers a clean, minimal backdrop with wide open space and beautiful natural light. The simplicity of the setting allows the focus to stay on connection and movement, creating images that feel soft, effortless, and timeless. It’s an ideal location for couples who want a natural look without distractions and a setting that feels both intimate and elevated.
Exact location provided upon request.
Perfect for any session, especially in the spring and winter seasons
Romantic & Natural Locations in chico
These locations are perfect if you’re drawn to soft light, open space, and a more organic feel. They tend to photograph beautifully year round and work especially well for couples who want their photos to feel effortless, romantic, and timeless.
william land park & Rock garden, sacramento
William Land Park and the Rock Garden offer a romantic, classic setting with manicured greenery, winding paths, and soft natural textures. The mix of open lawns, garden elements, and stone details creates a refined yet approachable backdrop that photographs beautifully throughout the year. This location is ideal for couples who want elegant, romantic images with a timeless, editorial feel while still feeling relaxed and natural.
California State Capitol Rose Garden, sacramento
The World Peace Rose Garden offers a romantic, classic setting surrounded by blooming roses, greenery, and clean architectural lines. The soft colors and structured garden paths create an elegant backdrop that feels timeless and refined. This location is perfect for couples who want elevated, romantic photos with a subtle editorial feel while still feeling natural and approachable.
Honorable mentions: Capitol Park Tree Lined Paths, Capitol Steps, and Capitol Reflecting Pools
Baker Beach, san Francisco
Baker Beach offers a romantic, cinematic setting with sweeping ocean views, soft coastal light, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. The combination of sand, shoreline, and dramatic cliffs creates images that feel effortless, emotional, and timeless. This location is ideal for couples who love movement, natural textures, and a classic Northern California coastal backdrop with an elevated, editorial feel.
San Francisco in general has so many beautiful backdrops, and I'm always happy to explore the city!
Romantic Locations in northern california
These locations are ideal for couples drawn to soft light, open landscapes, and a naturally romantic feel. Northern California offers a wide variety of settings that feel peaceful, scenic, and timeless, from rolling hills to quiet waterfronts and hidden nature pockets.
Chico State Campus, Chico
Chico State’s campus offers a clean, timeless setting with a mix of classic architecture, tree lined walkways, and open spaces. The neutral tones and structured elements create a refined, editorial feel while still allowing room for natural movement and candid moments. This location works beautifully for seniors, families, couples, and branding sessions, offering variety and consistency within one cohesive area.
A perfect location for grads, couples, and brands.
Downtown Chico, chico
Downtown Chico offers a versatile urban backdrop with a mix of brick textures, storefronts, alleyways, and clean architectural lines. The variety of settings within a small area allows for editorial style portraits that feel modern, intentional, and visually interesting. This location works especially well for seniors, couples, branding, and lifestyle sessions, creating images that feel elevated while still natural and approachable.
Get Creative!
Thursday Night Market, Hotel Diamond, or your favorite bar are such cool backdrops!
tree farm & seed orchard,
chico
The Chico Seed Orchard offers a peaceful, natural setting with wide open space, soft light, and rows of trees that create depth and symmetry. This location photographs beautifully throughout the year and works especially well for sessions that feel relaxed and organic.
oroville forebay, oroville
The Oroville Forebay offers a scenic, open setting with water views, natural shoreline, and expansive skies. This location provides beautiful light throughout the day and a peaceful, natural backdrop that works well across seasons. The combination of water, surrounding landscape, and open space creates images that feel calm, grounded, and timeless, making it an ideal choice for outdoor sessions that lean natural and elevated.
Note: Paid parking and hours may vary.
Urban & Agricultural Locations IN butte county & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Urban and agricultural locations offer a unique mix of structure, texture, and open space. These settings combine clean lines, historic elements, and working landscapes to create images that feel grounded, modern, and distinctly Northern California.
The Weathered Grounds, Marysville CA
(Private, 15 minutes outside of Marysville)
This private property near Marysville offers a beautifully weathered setting with rustic wagon wheel details, overgrown jasmine walls, and a striking weeping willows. The combination of natural growth and aged textures creates an abandoned, romantic feel that photographs incredibly well. It’s an ideal location for clients drawn to character, depth, and a slightly moody, editorial aesthetic while still feeling organic and intentional.
Rustic red barn, magalia CA
(Permission Required)
This rustic red barn offers a timeless Northern California backdrop, set against views of a nearby lake and surrounded by lush green forest. The contrast between the warm barn tones and the natural landscape creates visual depth while keeping the setting grounded and organic. This location is ideal for sessions that blend rustic charm with scenic beauty, resulting in images that feel relaxed, romantic, and naturally elevated.
Limited availability, Permission Required
orchards & Vineyards, butte county
(Private Access)
Orchards and vineyards offer a timeless Northern California backdrop with open space, natural textures, and beautiful light throughout the day. The symmetry of tree rows and vines creates depth while keeping images feeling organic and relaxed, making these locations ideal for a wide range of sessions. One of the benefits of working with me is access to private orchard and vineyard properties through established relationships, offering more privacy, flexibility, and a quieter setting that allows sessions to feel calm, personal, and elevated.
Cathedral, undisclosed location
(Within 30 Minutes of Chico)
This cathedral offers a striking architectural backdrop with tall columns, detailed stonework, and soft, directional light. The scale and structure create an editorial, timeless feel that elevates any session while still allowing for natural, candid moments.
Located within 30 minutes of Chico, this undisclosed location provides a refined setting with added privacy, making it ideal for clients who want something unique, classic, and visually impactful without the crowds of more public spaces.
Client Exclusive and Private Locations
Some of my favorite photo locations are private or undisclosed, available only to clients through established relationships, booked sessions and local access. These locations offer a quieter, more flexible experience with added privacy and fewer distractions, allowing sessions to feel calm, personal, and intentional. Choosing a private or undisclosed setting is one of the benefits of working together and helps create images that feel elevated, unique, and truly one of a kind.
