Location Feature: Dune Peninsula Park with the Taylor Family

When I stopped teaching full time, one of the things that I missed the most was the long term relationships that I had developed with families. It’s a priveledge that comes from working at the same school for a longer period of time, and one that I did not take for granted after working at a different school each year of the first few years of my career. When I started my photography business, I did not have the imagination to think I’d get that back. And yet, seven years after starting this business, I’ve had the immense joy of walking alongside of families year after year, documenting their growing kids and growing families. It’s one of the things that I will forever be most grateful for about this job. Each time I get to show up at a session with a family I have come to know, and I get to comment on how big their kids have gotten or congratulate them on a new addition, I can’t believe I get to do this work.

One such family is the Taylor family. I was hired to be the newborn photographer for their daughter over five years ago, and got to photograph them again recently at Dune Peninsula Park on the Tacoma waterfront. I absolutely love Dune Peninsula for family sessions. It is the ultimate PNW location as it boasts sweeping views of the Sound, often with a ferry in the background. There is also a large grassy hill that plays a leading role in golden hour sessions as the sun sets right behind it, creating some beautifully backlit portraits. And if those weren’t enough, there are also some really fun metal structures that add a playfulness to the session that I love.

Picture of big brother with his newborn sister during Newborn Session in Lakewood, WA

Then:

Big Brother holding his new baby sister during newborn session January 2020.

Brother and Sister dancing during family session at Dune Peninsula Park in Tacoma, WA

Now:

Big Brother dancing with his sister during our family session, summer of 2025.

So if you’re looking for a location for your family pictures that give off a very PNW vibe while also providing a large variety of other backgrounds, Dune Peninsula might be the perfect fit for you. And bonus points if your kids break into a spontaneous dance at golden hour and it’s captured and frozen in time forever to be printed and hung on the walls of your home.