This mini-guide is designed to help choose a location for your portrait session in Northern California

Hello Friends! There’s one thing I get asked all the time and that is, “What location(s) would you recommend?” So a while back I created a mini-guide of some of my favorite portrait locations here in Northern California (mostly Shasta and Tehama Counties). And today is your lucky day, because I’ve decided to share that information here on the blog! I hope this post helps you determine which location you want your next family session or senior session or maternity session to be at. As a portrait photographer here in the Redding area for over a decade, I know what locations work the best and at what time of day. So make sure to read the descriptions for each location!

One other thing before I dive in, let me quickly introduce myself just in case we haven’t met before…Hi and welcome! I’m Jen, owner of Jen Peterson Photography. I specialize in Weddings, Portraits and Real Estate Photography here in Redding, California. And I just love people! It’s always such an honor to serve my clients and give them the gift of lasting memories! I started my photography journey back in 2010 and will never turn back. I’m super excited that you’re here and I hope you’ll find value in this post!

Enjoy! -Jen

Manzanita Lake

Located just inside the Lassen Volcanic National Park. Manzanita Lake is beautiful! The park is not open year-round so this location is best suited for the spring-fall months. The way the lake is positioned, this spot would be best for afternoon/sunset sessions. I definitely love the glowy light through the trees! It creates a magical feel.

NOTE: This location requires a day pass into the park! Click here to secure your pass. Also this is about an hour away from Redding so there would be a travel fee.

Little Bear Creek Ranch

Little Bear Creek Ranch is located in Anderson, California not too far from Hawes Ranch. It’s mostly known as a gorgeous wedding venue! I had the privilege of photographing a wedding there recently and absolutely fell in love with the ranch. It’s stunning! Then I got to go back for a branding session where the owners extended the offer to doing family/portraits sessions at the ranch. So honored! They have several barns on the property, a big huge agricultural field, a white gazebo by the creek, and more. There’s so much variety that it would work for any time of day, but my favorite is the late afternoon during golden hour.

NOTE: This location requires special permission! It can also be hard to secure on weekend dates during wedding season.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Tehama County Courthouse

Located in downtown Red Bluff on 633 Washington Street. A beautiful building with vintage columns, marble flooring, staircase, large trees and manicured landscaping. Perfect for all seasons!

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Turtle Bay Arboretum Gardens

Next to the landmark, Sundial Bridge. The easiest access to the gardens is from the Arboretum Drive off North Market Street. Or you can walk across the bridge from Auditorium Drive. Features beautiful landscapes, water fountains, olive trees, children’s play area with bamboo grove, and more! Good for most seasons of the year, but best in Spring/Early Fall.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Turtle Bay Hidden Field

This spot is hidden and takes a bit of trekking to get into, but it’s gorgeous at sunset! We would start at the Sundial Bridge. The best season for this spot is Spring/Summer and early Fall.

Lema Ranch at McConnell Foundation

Located off Shasta View Drive in Redding, California. Park in the public parking area off Hemingway Street. Features gorgeous landscapes, ponds, a pathway lined with olive trees, willow trees, and a private dock. Great location for all seasons! Click Here to visit their website.

There’s also a grove of Manzanita at the beginning section of the trails!

*This location does require special permission for certain spots on the property. So a 3-5 day advance notice is required to obtain permission.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Gover Ranch

Located at 3776 Gover Road in Anderson, California. Features a beautiful garden area with gazebo, huge white barn, large agriculture fields, and white wood fencing. Click Here to visit their website.

*This location does require special permission and an extra fee of $50! So a minimum of a 5-7 day advance notice is required.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Caldwell Park & Diestelhorst Bridge

Located in the downtown Redding area. For Caldwell Park, we typically meet in the parking lot off Quartz Hill Road near the Aquatic Center. It features bike trails with manicured lawns, mature trees, and a great view of the Sacramento River. Diestelhorst Bridge, we would meet in the parking lot off Benton Drive just next to Caldwell Park. Diestelhorst is a beautiful historic bridge! The best season for these two spots would be in the Fall! Click Here to visit the website for Caldwell Park, and Here for Diestelhorst Bridge.

Camden House in French Gulch

Located just past Whiskeytown Lake off Highway 299 (on the left if you’re coming from the Redding area). Features a historic white home, large barn with a wide-open field, a creek, and a footbridge. Beautiful in all seasons! Click Here to visit their website.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Anderson River Park

Beautiful family park located right next to the Sacramento River. Access from Rupert Road or Dodson Lane off Balls Ferry Road in Anderson, California. Features the Sacramento River, pond, wild-growing shrubs, huge mature trees, and a large agriculture field with the trail going right through the middle of it! The best seasons are Spring/Summer/Fall. Click Here to visit their website.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Whiskeytown Beach

Or some may know this location as East Beach. Located in the Whiskeytown Lake Recreation area. Just take the JF Kennedy Memorial Road and the entrance is to your right. Features views of the lake, beach type feel, beautiful manzanita, and natural boulders.

Lavender Fields

There are several lavender fields here in Shasta and Tehama Counties! Moonbeam Farms located in Corning, California, 29 Rows Lavender located in Happy Valley, California, and Lavineyard Farms (I haven’t photographed here just yet but I’m anxious to!) located in Whitmore, California. If you want the Lavender to be in full bloom, it’s best to book these locations in May or June.

*These locations require special permission. So a minimum of a 3-5 day advance notice is required.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Mt. Lassen Vantage Point

This location takes a 4x4 vehicle to get into, especially during the winter months! But it is an absolutely EPIC location! It overlooks the backside of Mt. Lassen from a service/logging road past Lassen National Park. It’s about an hour drive from Redding, California. The best season for this spot is definitely WINTER!

NOTE: This location would require a travel fee. It’s about an hour away from Redding.

Old Shasta

Located right off Highway 299 as you’re heading towards Whiskeytown. This cute rustic little town features brick ruins, a museum, and a historic barn with a wagon. Click Here to visit their website. This location works well in the afternoon!

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Urban Downtown Redding

The just recently renovated downtown Redding area is a perfect location for that urban/downtown feel. There is a lot of neat architecture and colors! We would meet on Market Street and walk all around the area. Also, just up the street is the Shasta County Courthouse where you’ll find gorgeous palm trees, a brick pathway, and a really fun set of stairs! Click Here to visit their website.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Verbena Fields

How about a drive to Chico, California?! Verbena Fields in Chico is absolutely beautiful! It’s nestled in the middle of a neighborhood but has a ton of mature trees and lots of glowy light. This location is great year-round and would work for morning or afternoon shoots, but of course my favorite is going to be afternoon golden hour!!

NOTE: This location would require a travel fee since it’s about an hour away from Redding.

See blog posts at this location: CLICK HERE

Bidwell Mansion

If you’re looking for a location in Chico, California…Bidwell Mansion is absolutely beautiful! This historic location has beautiful architecture and mature garden styled landscaping. This location is great year-round and would work for morning or afternoon shoots.

NOTE: This location would require a travel fee since it’s about an hour away from Redding.

And there you have it! My top location spots! However, I’m always open to new locations! So if you have a location in mind…I’d love to hear it and try them out!