A Guide to Ventura County Family Photo Locations
When families reach out to me about a Ventura County family photos, one of the first questions they ask is, “Where should we go?” And I get it. Location plays a big role in how your photos feel.
For me, the best family photos come from spaces that allow movement and a little breathing room. Places where kids can wander, parents can relax, and you can remember having a great time together. Ventura County and the surrounding areas have so many absolutely beautiful locations that make this easy, which is why I love photographing families here, and why I wanted to make this guide for families planning their sessions.
Below are some of my favorite locations for family photography in Ventura and nearby areas. These are all places I’ve photographed families in and continue to come back to because they work beautifully every time.
Ventura Beach | Family Sessions in Ventura County
Ventura Beach is a great place for families who want something relaxed and flexible. The space is very open, with a mix of beach and walkways that photograph beautifully.
Why I Love This Spot as a Family Photographer
This area gives me a lot of freedom to adapt the session to the family in front of me. If kids want to move, we move. If they want to slow down, there’s room for that too. The variety within one location means we can keep things flowing without overthinking where to go next. It also works beautifully for maternity sessions, especially for couples who want their photos to have a relaxed, beachy feel.
See more of my maternity photography, like this session in LA.
A Real Family Session at Ventura Beach & Ventura County Fairgrounds
What started as a maternity session with Gena and Ryan at Ventura Beach slowly turned into a full summer night. We spent time on the sand soaking in those quiet moments before welcoming their baby girl, then crossed the street to the Ventura County Fairgrounds for ice cream, games, pizza, and live music. When Flo Rida came on, we had such a blast dancing, laughing, and dropping it low low low (if you know what I mean). Fair photos after a Ventura Beach session are always going to be a yes from me.
Newbury Park | Relaxed Outdoor Family Sessions
Newbury Park is one of my favorite spots for Ventura County family photos. This is for families who want something green, beautiful, and low pressure. Rolling hills, tall grass, and wide paths make it easy to move through the session without feeling boxed in.
This one is a great option for families who want their photos to feel grounded and natural, with plenty of room for kids to wander and explore at their own pace.
Why I Love This Spot as a Family Photographer
Newbury Park works so well for family sessions because it gives kids freedom. There’s no need to keep them close or ask them to stay in one spot, which instantly changes the energy of the session. When kids feel free to move, parents relax too, and everything flows more easily from there!
Real Family Sessions at Newbury Park
The Hardenburg’s are one of those families who feel more like friends at this point. I’ve photographed them through so many seasons, from before Haven was born to documenting life as their family has grown. With Hunter in the military, capturing each chapter has always felt especially meaningful. Haven brings all the energy, Bruna (their first baby aka their dog!) has been right there for every session, and this Newbury Park location has always fit their family so naturally. It’s easy to access, close to the parking lot, and doesn’t require long walks, which makes a big difference with young kids.
The Edwards family’s session here looked very different but carried that same sense of presence. Of course, the one rainy day in May ended up being our session day. It was cold, wet, and not exactly ideal, but everyone showed and had a great time. Emmy spent most of the session dancing through the field with her mom and climbing all over her dad (so cute) while Hunter tagged along as the calmest baby. Moments like these are always a reminder that family photos don’t need perfect conditions. When you lean into what’s happening and let kids be themselves, the photos take care of the rest.
At Home Family Sessions in Ventura County
At-home sessions in Ventura are a great option for families who want their photos to feel personal and rooted in real life. Being in your own space allows everyone to settle in and feel more comfortable. There’s less pressure, and because of that these are some of my favorite sessions to photograph.
This approach works especially well for maternity sessions and families with younger kids who feel most comfortable at home. The pace is slower, the environment is familiar, and the moments tend to unfold in a way that feels very honest.
Why I Love At-Home Sessions as a Family Photographer
At-home sessions create room for connection without distraction. There’s no schedule to keep or place to be, which makes it easier to focus on time together. I’m able to document the small, everyday moments that often get overlooked, the kind that end up meaning the most later on.
A Real At-Home Family Session in Ventura County
Amanda and Ben’s maternity session honored a season coming to an end. As they prepared to welcome baby Sterling and move their family to Utah for new work opportunities, they wanted to document this chapter of life exactly as it was, in the townhome where their relationship had grown. Every stage of their journey together had lived within those walls, which made photographing their maternity session at home feel especially meaningful. I captured the session using a mix of film and digital, letting their space and personalities lead.
Rosewood Miramar Hotel | Santa Barbara Beach Family Sessions
Rosewood Miramar is a great option for families who want a coastal setting without the chaos of a public beach. The hotel grounds have open walkways, shaded patios, and pockets of light that change beautifully as the day goes on.
It’s a space that lets families settle in quickly. We can move easily from one spot to the next, pause when kids need a break, and let the session happen without feeling rushed or overstimulated.
Why I Love This Spot as a Family Photographer
Rosewood Miramar works well because everything is close together. We can move naturally from one area to the next without rushing or overthinking the session. The neutral tones and open spaces keep the focus on connection.
A Real Family Session at Rosewood Miramar Beach
During the Nijjar family’s photos, we spent time moving through the hotel grounds and letting their daughter take the lead. Their session at Rosewood Miramar felt especially meaningful to photograph as they had traveled from Canada to California to freeze this season of life while on vacation, celebrating their daughter turning one. We wandered around the Rosewood Miramar together, letting their daughter explore, laugh, and just be. The day was warm and beautiful, less about posing and more about presence. And truly? Those are always my favorite stories to tell.
See more of my work on Instagram!
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Family Session
When planning your family session, whether in any of these Ventura spots or anywhere else, the best location is always one that feels aligned with your family’s energy! Some families feel most at home by the ocean, others love wide open fields, and some prefer something quiet and tucked away.
You don’t need to choose the most popular spot. You just need a place where your family can relax and be themselves. As a Ventura County family photographer, my goal is always to help guide and plan your session in a way that feels true to you, focusing on real life, movement, laughter, and the honest, in-between moments that tell your story.
Ready to Plan Your Ventura County Family Photos?
If you’re looking for Ventura County family photos that feel natural, relaxed, and true to your real life, I’d love to help you plan something meaningful. From choosing the right location to guiding you through the session itself, my goal is always to create space for connection and capture your family exactly as they are.
Reach out anytime to start planning your session, I’d love to chat!