Family Portraits at Jeffrey Open Spaces

Family Portraits at Jeffrey Open spaces

At Blue Sky’s Studio, we take pride in creating memories that families can cherish forever. When I met the Udani family for their photoshoot at Jeffrey Open Spaces in Irvine, I knew we were about to create something truly special. Their warmth and energy were infectious, and I’m thrilled to share some of the magic we captured together.

The Magic of Morning Light

Mornings are one of the best times for baby photography. Babies are typically well-rested, happy, and ready to engage, and the Udani family session was a perfect example of this. The soft, golden morning light provided an idyllic setting to capture the innocence and joy of their one-year-old, making every moment truly special.

Udani Family Candid Moments

Photographing a one-year-old can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. During our session, the Udani’s little one was full of energy and curiosity, making it a delight to capture candid moments that reflect their true personality. From spontaneous giggles to exploring the surroundings, every candid moment was a treasure.

Udani Family Simple Perfect Outfit

The Udani family chose simple, casual outfits that perfectly complemented the natural setting. Their matching pink shirts added a cohesive and stylish touch to the photos. Coordinating colors can enhance the overall aesthetic of family portraits and create a unified look that is visually pleasing.

Exploring Jeffrey Open Spaces

Jeffrey Open Spaces in Irvine is one of my favorite locations for family photography. With its lush greenery, open fields, and serene trails, it offers a variety of beautiful backdrops. This setting is ideal for capturing both posed and candid moments, allowing families to interact naturally with the environment and creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience.
Thank You, Udani Family
A heartfelt thank you to the Udani family for choosing Blue Sky’s Studio to capture their precious moments. It was a joy to work with you and to create memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Book Your Session

If you’re looking for an Irvine photographer to capture your family’s special moments, I’d love to hear from you. At Blue Sky’s Studio, we are dedicated to providing a personalized and enjoyable experience, resulting in beautiful photos that you will treasure forever. Contact us today to book your session!

To see some of other other favorite locations, see the following posts:

Orange County Family Photography Huntington Beach Central Park

🌳 FAQ: Family Photo Sessions at Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine CA

1. Is Jeffrey Open Space Trail a good location for a family photo shoot?

Yes! Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine, CA is one of Orange County’s best-kept secrets for family photography. With its manicured trails, lush greenery, rustic fences, and scenic bridges, it offers a peaceful, natural backdrop that works year-round.

2. What makes Jeffrey Open Space Trail ideal for family photos?

This location is loved for:

Wide open grassy fields and tree-lined pathways
Wooden fences and bridges for rustic charm
Clean landscaping and low crowds
Easy access with nearby parking

It’s a perfect blend of nature and structure—great for both posed portraits and playful candid moments.

3. Do you need a permit to take professional photos at Jeffrey Open Space Trail?

As of now, Jeffrey Open Space Trail does not require a permit for small, non-commercial family photography sessions. However, it’s best to double-check with the City of Irvine Parks and Recreation Department in case policies change.

4. What time of day is best for a family session at Jeffrey Open Space Trail?

Golden hour (1 hour after sunrise or before sunset) is the best time for warm, glowing light. The sun filters beautifully through the trees and makes colors pop. Morning sessions offer soft light and cooler temps—perfect for families with young children.

5. What should we wear for a photo shoot at Jeffrey Open Space Trail?

Go for soft, earthy tones or pastels to complement the natural setting:

Cream, blush, sage, tan, or dusty blue work beautifully
Avoid bright neon or heavily patterned outfits
Coordinate outfits rather than matching exactly
Bring a backup outfit for little ones just in case!

Footwear tip: Comfortable shoes or neutral flats are great for walking along the trail.

6. Is Jeffrey Open Space Trail stroller and kid-friendly?

Yes! The trail is well-maintained and stroller-accessible. With open fields and lots of space to explore, it’s a fantastic location for toddlers and kids to roam freely and be themselves—perfect for capturing authentic, joyful moments.

7. How long does a typical family session last at Jeffrey Open Space Trail?

Most sessions last 45 minutes to 1 hour, allowing time to explore different areas along the trail. Some photographers offer mini sessions (20–30 minutes), especially during fall or spring for seasonal portraits.

8. What should we bring to our family photo session?

Here’s a quick checklist:

Water and snacks for kids
Baby wipes or tissues
A small blanket or quilt for seated poses
Comfortable walking shoes
Any meaningful props (like a book, toy, or picnic basket)

Optional: Bring a treat (like bubbles or a lollipop) for young kids as a reward after the session.

9. Is there parking at Jeffrey Open Space Trail?

Yes, there is convenient parking near multiple entrances, especially off Irvine Blvd and Jeffrey Road. Most spots are free and close to the trail, making it easy to unload and get started.

10. When is the best time of year for a photo shoot at Jeffrey Open Space Trail?

Spring: Lush green grass, fresh blooms, and soft light
Fall: Golden tones, warm colors, and ideal temperatures
Summer: Longer daylight hours but warmer temps
Winter: Fewer crowds and beautiful afternoon light

Fall and spring are the most popular times—book early for the best availability!

Orange County Family Photography Huntington Beach Central Park

Orange County Family photography Huntington Beach Central Park

If you’re searching for the ideal location for your family photoshoot, look no further than Huntington Beach Central Park. In this blog post, we’ll explore why this scenic haven is the perfect backdrop for your family’s lifestyle photography needs.

Why Choose Huntington Beach Central Park for family photos?

As an Orange County family photographer, I understand the importance of selecting a unique location for your family pictures. A location that not only complements your family’s unique style but also provides a stunning setting for your session. Huntington Beach Central Park ticks all the boxes, offering a picturesque blend of natural beauty and versatile landscapes.

Scenic Beauty and Diversity:

Huntington Beach Central Park has wide open fields of grass, serene lakes, and charming bridges. In addition, there are wooded areas that provide the perfect shade for a photography session. For natural light portrait photography, the open shade is ideal. All these elements provides a diverse range of backgrounds for your family portraits.

Lifestyle Family Photography at its Best

At Blue Sky’s Studio we love to capture images that portray the essence of your family’s lifestyle. Huntington Beach Central Park is a peaceful location. Here, we can capture your family’s genuine moments. These moments may include laughter, playfulness, or just bonding in nature.

Proximity to Orange County:

Convenience matters, and Huntington Beach Central Park is ideally situated in Orange County. Easily accessible, this location minimizes travel time, ensuring an stress-free experience for your family. When searching for “family photography near me,” this beautiful park is a top choice for Orange County residents.

A variety of unique backgrounds all in one location

As a Laguna Beach photographer, I am often asked about the best local locations for a family photo session. I love the beaches in Laguna and the surrounding areas, but often times clients want someplace a little different. Huntington Beach Central Park offers a perfect organic location for a session. The park is beautiful and the way light and shadows interact is amazing. Each one of your family members can have a unique portrait without having to change locations.

At Blue Sky’s Studio Photography, our commitment is to turn your family photoshoot into a magical experience. Huntington Beach Central Park, with its scenic beauty and diverse landscapes, sets the stage for timeless memories. Trust us to transform your family’s moments into cherished works of art, celebrating the beauty of your unique story against the backdrop of this remarkable location.

Ready to schedule your family photoshoot at Huntington Beach Central Park? Contact Blue Sky’s Studio Photography today and let us capture the beauty of your family’s journey. Click here to get more information.

For more information on our favorite Orange County locations for a family photography session, visit this post:

10 of the Best Orange County Photography Locations

At the Beach, At the Park, Family Photography, In a field, Urban Photography

Best Clothing Color Schemes for Stunning Outdoor family Portraits

Wondering what to Wear for your Outdoor Family Photos?

We’ve got you covered with clothing color schemes for each of the popular locations in Orange County.

Make sure you have right color outfits to go with the scenery at your session!

Do you want to find out what to wear for your outdoor family photos? Your outdoor family photo session is coming up and you’re going through your mental checklist: get haircuts, wax those eyebrows, pick the outfits.

In your outdoor family photos, I recommend picking two to three colors and coordinating everyone’s outfits around that color scheme. For example, navy and cream with a pop of gold.

Think of your location when it comes to color schemes for your photography wardrobe:

What to wear to a family session | Classic Neutrals

The Classic Neutrals: There is timeless elegance with neutrals and earthy tones. Think of beiges or cremes – these colors look great in open fields, such as Laguna Canyon, San Juan Open Spaces, Alta Laguna Park and Mission San Juan Capistrano.

What to Wear to a Family Photo shoot | For bold and vibrant clothing

Bold & Vibrant: This is for our fashionistas! Stand out with bright and bold colors that pop – just be careful to avoid clashing colors in group photos. This color scheme works great in an urban environment to show off your style. The best locations in Orange County for these types of sessions include The Lab, The Camp, Downtown Laguna Beach, Orange Circle, Los Rios Historic District, Newport Fun Zone and the Santa Ana Arts District.

What to Wear to an Outdoor family session | Pastel Perfection

Pastel Perfection: Use oft and dreamy pastel hues to create a whimsical atmosphere. These color schemes will look great during a sunset at the beach, San Juan Capistrano in the flower fields, Laguna Niguel Botanical Gardens, or Sherman Gardens in Corona Del Mar.

What to Wear to a family shoot | Mixing and matching patterns

Mixing Patterns: Embrace creativity with playful patterns that complement each other. You can add hints of polka dots to a tie, or a hair bow, or even socks. There’s many fun ways to harmonize styles and patterns to each of your family members. These looks are best at the beach, an urban area or in a field.

What to Wear to a Family Session | Cool Blues and Greens

Cool Blues & Greens: Cool tones create a serene and calming effect. These dreamy images can help promote a sense of calm and well-being, which will not only look great for your memories but also on the walls of your home. Great destinations for these include the beach, Newport Back Bay, Balboa Island, and the Newport Beach Pier.

What’s your favorite color scheme or style? Let us know! Follow us on Instagram at @blueskysstudio, on Facebook at facebook.com/blueskysstudio, and follow along for more photography tips and tricks by signing up for our newsletter below.

Learn more about everything Blue Sky’s by getting updates on special promotions and our pop up studios by filling out your info here!

At the Beach, At the Park, Blue Sky's Promotions, Family Photography, Senior Photography

The Five best spots to photograph around Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach has the very best spots for unique family and senior photography. Since I not only work in Laguna Beach, but also live in the downtown area, I am always keeping my eyes open for the most unique spots to photograph high school seniors and families. Here are just a few of my favorite spots in the downtown area to get amazing, unique shots of your senior or family. And if you book and shoot before the end of September, you will receive 50% off of the session fee.

Heisler Park/ Picnic Beach Area

From beautiful vistas, to unique art pieces, to garden spots and yes even a sandy beach, if you are looking for a lot of variety in your portrait session, Heisler Park is my top choice. Check out a few of my favorite recent images shot in this location.

Downtown Laguna Beach

In just a three or four block area, there are so many great backdrop choices in downtown Laguna Beach. Some of my favorite spots include the red phone booth, the alley behind the Presbyterian Church, the area around the library, the flower stand on Forest Avenue and the rose garden on Forest.

Laguna Beach Neighborhoods

Around the Laguna Beach High School area is a perfect location to shoot a senior portrait session or even a family session. There are some really cool green areas, lots of trees, two small parks and lots of hardscaping with texture and character. Even more important to me and my clients, there is a lot of parking. Here are some of my favorite spots in the neighborhoods surrounding Laguna Beach High School.

Main Beach Laguna Beach

Try to avoid main beach on the weekends, but during the week, especially in the Fall, this is an amazing backdrop for a session. You have the iconic Lifeguard tower, the fun boardwalk, the rocks at the north end of the beach and the open sandy views of the south end of the beach.

Portrait by Brianna Caster and Co of my kids

Alta Laguna Beach and Laguna Canyon Areas

For a more organic background, Laguna Beach has Alta Laguna Park and the open canyon space. This year, with the super bloom, we have been so fortunate to not only get tall grass and open fields, but lots and lots of yellow flowers. Here are just a few examples of the variety of locations in the canyon and at Alta Laguna Park.

Now is the perfect time to book your session. We are office 50% off of the session fee in September as our early bird special. To book your session or to get more information, click here.

At the Beach, At the Park, Fashion, Senior Photography

Popular Trends in High School Senior Photography

Where should I shoot my OC Senior Portraits?

Orange County is an excellent spot for amazing high school senior portraits. We have beaches, open fields, city scapes, historic architecture and gorgeous parks.

Blue Sky’s Studio strategy for any portrait photography session is to start with your personal fashion style. If you tend to dress more edgy and high fashion, I would definitely recommend choosing a city background or in the studio. If FreePeople clothing is more your vibe then a flower field, a beach at low light or an open meadow would enhance the look of your session.

Fashionista Senior Session

If you love trendy clothing, fun accessories and the latest style in shoes and boots you are probably a fashionista. For your session, we want to highlight your amazing style. That means staying away from really busy backgrounds so all of the emphasis in the image is on you and your cute outfits. Here are some of my favorite spots for this type of session.

Boho Senior Session

If you love vintage clothing, neutral colors, free flowing hair and lots of texture, then a Boho inspired session is probably your jam! Think of Free People Clothing, or shop at your favorite vintage store or even raid your Mom’s old wardrobe. I love these sessions when the colors are really monochromatic as is the background look. The perfect locations for this type of session include.

Alta Laguna Park In Laguna Beach
San Juan Open Spaces A gorgeous field in San Juan Capistrano
James Dilley Wilderness Park In Laguna Canyon
San Clemente State Beach With gorgeous white cliffs and wide open beaches (to see more beaches in San Clemente Click Here.
The Great Park in Irvine Complete with small zoo, open fields, split rail fences and flower fields.

Endless Summer Session

Shooting your high school senior portraits on the beach is great any time of the year. It is true that Southern California is a photographers paradise. There are so many sunny days every year that it doesn’t matter if you book in August or February, you are sure to get at least a few, beautiful sunny So Cal days. Here are my top five spots for an endless summer session.

Enter to win a free fully styled high school portrait session with Blue Sky’s Studio!

CLICK HERE

If you are really into bold colors and statement clothing, you can read more in the Color blog post by clicking on this link: Using Color in your shoot to create style.