Location Guide
These are my favorite places to shoot around Humboldt County. Listed for your consideration are any travel fees for sites outside of my complimentary travel range, as well as any location fees required by the site. If you're looking for something a little different or have any accessibility considerations, please reach out! Custom locations are possible with my Adventure Session Packages, or with an additional custom location fee.
I give my deepest thanks and respect to the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa, and Karuk peoples, among many others, who have cared for and been cared for by this land and water since time immemorial. One way to honor the Indigenous peoples of this place is through a voluntary Honor Tax, which you can learn more about here: https://honortax.org/.
Big Lagoon County PArk
The lagoon, beach, and grassy dunes provide a variety of backdrops, with a beautiful sitka spruce forest just a short walk away. Do it all with an Adventure Session or choose your favorite setting for a Portrait Mini.
Moonstone beach
A classic Humboldt favorite beach with a river, large rocks, a view of Poï''k (Camel Rock in the Yurok language), a forested area, and a cave. An overlook above the beach provides a great view for posed group portraits.
Houda Point
A great location for an Adventure Session, there are several tree-lined trails down to beaches on each side of the point. At low tide the beach is wide and sandy. Scenic Drive offers sweeping views.
Baker Beach
A walk along the secret forested trail where lush green ferns and grassy meadow spots coexist and trip down to the beach make a great hour or two-hour long session at this spot. This trail is a bit more challenging and slippery.
Samoa Dunes recreation area
Long grasses, a view of Humboldt Bay, the seawall, and huge cypress trees all are stunning in the evening light. This is a favorite spot of mine for family sessions, especially with little ones along the calm shores of the Bay.
college cove // Elk head
This is a great location for an Adventure Session with enough time to shoot on the beach, the forested trails, and the rocky outcropping of Elk Head. Access to both beaches is limited by the tide's timing. Winter swell can set off the dramatic "blowhole" effect!
clam beach
The wide and flat beach here is broken up by beautiful gnarled driftwood logs. Evening light shines beautifully through the tall grasses in the dunes, and by the shoreline the expanse of sea and sky meld together. This is a short walk on a boardwalk that is often semi-submerged.
Trinidad State beach
Dynamic lighting around Trinidad Head often leads to evening glow through the spray of crashing waves. Sea stacks line the beach and at the far north end a creek flows into the ocean. One of my favorites for family sessions!
Luffenholtz beach // tepona point
The reconstructed platform at Tepona Point is a fun structure to incorporate in portraits, especially for a posed group or a yoga/fitness instructor. Luffenholtz Beach is a short walk down the road and a steep trail, where a creek and sea stacks create a dynamic beach setting.
Manila dunes
Springtime lupine blooms provide a pop of color in the grassy dunes! Mix it up with a walk out to the shoreline or a visit to the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center with its unique architecture. There are many forested trails with beautiful lichen trailing from tree branches out here as well. Evening light is a treat in Manila!
arcata bottoms
Barbed wire fences and country roads lend a little grit to your portraits. Springtime mustard flowers abound along the roadsides, and the Hammond Trail Bridge is a great spot for interesting architectural lines. Several spots lend access to Baduwa't (the Mad River) as well.
arcata marsh & wildlife sanctuary
Klopp Lake and the Humboldt Bay glow in the evening light at the Arcata Marsh. Wide trails, grassy meadows, and a variety of trees, benches, and bird blind structures are just some of the possibilities. The new Humboldt Bay Trail is paved, and this is an easy location for groups and families.
redwood natL. park visitor's center
Travel fee
The Cathedral Trail will take us amongst the sword ferns and old-growth redwoods to a sparkling stream. The Elk Meadows offer a great grassy field moment!
avenue of the giants
Travel fee
Towering trees, a carpet of redwood sorrel, with the Eel River nearby. There are so many beautiful spots along this scenic corridor of Highway 101. The winding road is a fun backdrop, and autumn colors along the river are so lovely.
Let's make a day of it and visit a few spots along this stretch with an Adventure Session!
Sequoia park
We can catch blooming dahlias and more at the Sequoia Park Garden where a variety of benches and pergolas add great elements, or venture into the trees, and even down trails to the duck pond. Or, trip to the Zoo and the Skywalk through the redwood trees, anyone?
arcata community forest
A variety of walking trails lined with sword ferns and mossy logs wind their way through the redwoods here. Blooming rhododendrons add pops of color in springtime.
Azalea state natural reserve
This forested loop trail offers a few backdrops, and the meadow at the trailhead often has wildflowers. A sweet spot for springtime when the azaleas are in bloom!
Trillium falls
A loop trail through the redwoods with a bridge over the creek and beautiful trees. This spot is a dream at midday when the light comes streaming through.
fern canyon
$12 entrance fee per vehicle
Travel fee
One of the most breathtaking spots in Humboldt. From May 15th-September 15th a parking reservation is required and must be obtained in advance through Redwood National and State Parks, and this location can be very busy.
Make a day of it with a visit to the coast at Gold Bluffs Beach.
baduwa't (Mad RiveR)
A grassy field by the banks of the river...ridgelines fading into shades of blue...springtime wildflowers...late fall colors under the cottonwood trees... There are so many magical spots along this river.
Jacoby creek & Covered bridge
The historic red covered bridge over Jacoby Creek is a nostalgic spot for portraits of all kinds, through any season. Depending on the height of the creek and your ~adventuresomeness~ we can go down into the creek beneath the bridge as well.
redwood roots farm
$40 location fee*
Date-dependent**
A local CSA (community-supported agriculture) farm collective located in Bayside, offering a variety of colorful flowers, apple trees, and a scenic creek. This location is best for flowers from August-October and this is dependent on what's growing!
*Subject to change.
**Certain dates may be unavailable. Please reach out early to book this location.
trinity river farms
Location fee*
Date-dependent**
Travel fee
More info coming soon.
Located in Willow Creek, Trinity River Farms' iconic red farmstand is open April-October. Flower fields and orchards await you! Extend this location with a trip to the river.
*Subject to change.
**Certain dates may be unavailable. Please reach out early to book this location.
bald hills prairie
Travel fee
Rolling hills and springtime wildflowers (some years have an incredible lupine superbloom) plus wide open skies and golden dry grasses in the late summer and fall.
The Dolason Prairie picnic area is one of many great spots up here.
Sue-Meg state park
$8 entry fee per vehicle
This State Park is full of trails through the coastal forest as well as grassy meadows. Wedding Rock offers stunning views along the rugged coastline here.
horse mountain botanical area
Travel fee
Gnarled pines and views for miles to the east, plus grassy meadows and Forest Service roads. If you're up for an adventure up here, I know a spot!
Lady Bird johnson grove
Travel fee
A mellow trail with a striking bridge through the towering redwoods and fire-hollowed tree trunks.
maple creek
Travel fee
Another great spot in the Baduwa't watershed, just a little further from town with a historic bridge and variety of river and creekside vignettes.
Brunner Family Farm
$50/hr location fee*
Date-dependent**
Located in Fieldbrook, this organic family-run farm offers lush and colorful flower fields until October. You can make your own flower bouquet during their seasonal U-Pick!
*Subject to change
**Certain dates may be unavailable. Please reach out early to book this location.
Waluplh-Lighthouse Ranch park at table bluff
Travel fee
Table Bluff overlooks stunning coastal views of the South Spit of Humboldt Bay. The trail here winds past large Cypress trees and tall grasses. There is a striking tunnel beneath the Cypress trees along the road. Add a visit to the South Spit beach just below.
Fieldbrook winery
Location fee*
Date-dependent**
Fieldbrook Winery is open through October and has a beautiful mix of backdrops for your portraits. The pond and canoe is a gorgeous setting for couples portraits.
*Subject to change
**This venue requires advanced scheduling and is subject to availability.
McKay community park
This redwood forest in Eureka has fern-laden hillsides and stunning trees along redwood needle-covered trails. Big-leaf maple trees offer pops of color through Autumn.
Trinidad museum native plant garden
Paved walking trails and benches with lovely pergolas make this a great accessible location and the native plants provide a beautiful variety of colors and textures.
freshwater farms reserve nature trail
Trail closes at dusk
A greenery-lined trail winds through the pastures and wetlands alongside Freshwater Creek, offering a mix of scenic foliage and views of the estuary.
headwaters reserve
Travel fee
Paved trail through the redwoods along the South Fork of Elk River, with a rustic barn.
custom locations
Looking for something not listed? Reach out about custom locations.