UC Davis Arboretum
Davis Portraits at the
100 acres. A cathedral redwood grove. Open oak lawns. A shimmering waterway. The most diverse portrait location in the greater Sacramento area.
The UC Davis Arboretum is in a league of its own. A 100-acre living museum stretching along the old north channel of Putah Creek, with a 3.5-mile loop trail winding through over 4,000 species of trees and plants — redwood groves, oak collections, flower gardens, a lake, a gazebo, and botanical displays from every corner of the world. For portrait photography, it's genuinely unmatched in the region for sheer variety. Whether you're a family looking for something lush and beautiful, a graduate celebrating a UC Davis milestone, or simply someone who wants portraits that feel extraordinary — this arboretum delivers in every season.
Why do I love this location?
The UC Davis Arboretum is the location I recommend when someone tells me they want maximum variety in a single session. Established in 1936 and spanning 100 acres along the banks of Putah Creek, this living museum has been cultivating one of the most diverse plant collections in California for nearly 90 years — and from a portrait photographer's perspective, that diversity means something genuinely special: a completely different backdrop around every bend of the trail.
Here's how I think about the key sections for portrait sessions:
The T. Elliot Weier Redwood Grove One of the largest collections of coast redwood trees outside their native range, the Redwood Grove creates a cathedral-like atmosphere that is unlike anything else in the Sacramento area. Tall, towering redwoods planted by UC Davis student volunteers in the 1930s form a canopy of soft, filtered light that is some of the most consistently beautiful natural light I work with anywhere. It's a serene, immersive setting that works beautifully for families who want something intimate and organic, and for graduates who want an editorial quality to their images.
The Peter J. Shields Oak Grove & Open Lawns With wide sweeping lawns, open vistas, and more than 80 kinds of oaks, the Shields Oak Grove offers a completely different energy — spacious, bright, and open. It's a wonderful section for larger family groups, for movement-based portraits, and for golden hour sessions when the low light skims across the grass and turns everything warm and glowing. The scale here is genuinely impressive.
Lake Spafford & the Arboretum Waterway The central waterway that runs through the arboretum is one of its most photogenic features — a calm, reflective stretch of water bordered by diverse plantings, bridges, and benches that creates beautiful depth and layering in portraits. Lake Spafford widens this waterway into a proper lake at the center of the arboretum, offering gorgeous waterfront portrait opportunities in every season.
The White Flower Garden & Specialty Gardens The Carolee Shields White Flower Garden — designed in the style of the moon-viewing gardens of Japan and India — offers a soft, romantic, and ethereally beautiful backdrop, especially in spring and summer when the white blooms reflect the light in an almost luminous way. The arboretum's many other specialty gardens, from the Mediterranean Collection to the California Native Plants garden, offer botanical variety that keeps every session feeling fresh and distinctive.
Best Time to Book Your Session Here
Spring (March – May)
Spring is one of the most spectacular seasons at the UC Davis Arboretum. The Warren G. Roberts Redbud Collection produces clouds of magenta-pink blossoms that are extraordinary in early spring. The White Flower Garden comes into bloom, the waterway plantings turn lush and vibrant, and the whole arboretum has an energy and color that is genuinely breathtaking. For families and graduates who want portraits bursting with botanical beauty, spring is an exceptional season here.
Fall (October – November)
Fall brings warm, rich foliage to the oaks, the waterway plantings, and the varied collections throughout the arboretum. The Shields Oak Grove takes on a golden quality that is deeply beautiful, and the late afternoon light along the waterway creates a warmth and depth I love. Fall sessions here have a timeless, layered quality — rich botanical color without the crowds of peak spring bloom season.
Summer (June – August)
Summer sessions are timed around golden hour, when the light drops low and warm through the full summer canopy and across the waterway. The Redwood Grove is wonderfully cool and shaded even on warm summer days, making it a particularly comfortable and beautiful section for summer family sessions. Golden hour along the waterway and open lawns in summer is genuinely stunning.
What to Wear
Spring Sessions Soft, romantic tones complement the botanical spring blooms beautifully — blush, dusty rose, sage green, cream, ivory, soft lavender, and warm white all photograph wonderfully here in spring. Flowy fabrics and soft layers feel right at home in a botanical garden setting.
Fall Sessions Warm, earthy tones — rust, mustard, olive, camel, tan, deep burgundy, and forest green — all complement the golden fall foliage throughout the arboretum. Cozy layers and rich textures add depth and warmth to fall portraits here.
Summer Sessions For golden hour summer sessions, warm neutrals — cream, tan, soft rust, and warm white — harmonize beautifully with the rich evening light through the summer canopy and along the waterway.
For all seasons: Coordinate your family's outfits around one anchor piece rather than matching everyone exactly. Avoid neon colors, large logos, and busy patterns. The arboretum's extraordinary botanical variety rewards thoughtful, tonal dressing — the setting provides more than enough visual interest on its own.
Location Details
Location: UC Davis Arboretum, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616
Parking: Paid parking in campus lots on weekdays; free on weekends. Visitor Lot 5, Putah Creek Lodge lot, and Gateway Parking Structure are closest to different arboretum sections
Restrooms: Available at the Arboretum Gazebo, Arboretum Headquarters, and Arboretum Terrace Garden
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible
Travel Fee: None — no travel fee for the Davis area
Session Types Available Here: Family sessions, extended family sessions, grad sessions, senior portraits, mini sessions
Note: The arboretum is a popular public space — early morning or golden hour sessions offer the most peaceful experience. Weekends are free for parking and tend to be busier with visitors.
