It was so much fun to take these candid family photos at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, CA! So spoiler alert, this is my own family, but since we’ve moved to Chicago it’s getting to be more rare that we get to spend time together! When we went to the Ruth Bancroft Garden (it’s a super cool succulent and cacti garden!!) it was so picturesque that I knew I could take some beautiful family photos.
I love the framing of these beautiful doors and the reflections of the bright garden!
Father, son, and grandson! I was thinking of calling this blog a “fatherhood” photoshoot! “Motherhood” photography is a blanket term for maternity, birth, fresh 48, newborn, and family photography, but I’ve never seen the term applied for men on nonbinary individuals! I’ll need to do more research about this because I really want my photography business to be inclusive and comfortable for all to approach.
The plants at this garden were stunning! Here’s the yellow blossoms of a palo verde tree, and the beautiful flowering stalks of an agave!
I love all the vibrant colors and interesting shapes of succulents and cacti! I also love that my new camera can let me shoot with a very wide aperture in full sun to get a beautiful blurred out effect!
My father-in-law is an enthusiastic photographer, particularly of plants and birds. He had a lot of fun taking macro photos in the garden!
If I get the chance to incorporate blurred out foreground into a photo I go for it. ?
There’s a beautiful, shaded pond in the middle of the garden. There are so many beautiful locations here for portrait photography!
Aw, one of my favorite shots right here!
Kristen Hazelton is an Oak Park, IL (Chicago, IL metro area) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) senior, family, and engagement photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
