I’ve been living and photographing people in San Francisco for over 10 years. I’ve learned that some places that may be really cool for an engagement shoot can be an absolute nightmare if you have little ones with you!

Here’s a list of questions I ask myself and for you to keep in mind for your next family photoshoot.

1. Is it safe for kids? This is number 1, because I want everyone to be able to relax and enjoy themselves without the worry of your kids getting lost or running into the street.

2. Is the location versatile? We don’t want every photo looking the same. I want to give you a variety of backgrounds and space to move around.

3. Are there restrooms and parking? This is a big one for families. The location should have easy access and clean restrooms…just in case.

4. Does it get crowded? Ok, so many beautiful places in SF get crowded. We can usually work around it, but ideally, we’ll need to schedule our session during off-peak hours. This may mean early mornings or weekday afternoons.

5. Is the location meaningful to your family? Maybe it’s where you and your spouse got engaged, or it’s where your child learned to ride a bike, or perhaps it’s the walk you take every Sunday morning. The point is, years from now the photos will hold so much more significance if you have a connection with the location.