Whatcom County, WA is one of the most beautiful corners of the United States. That may be why is it such a photography hot spot. As a professional portrait photographer who has grown up here, this is my list of the best public places to take photos! This is in no particular order; your choice of location will greatly vary depending on the time of year, the look you are trying to achieve, and the weather. Let's get right into it!

15- Whatcom Falls

Whatcom Falls in the perfect spot for those who love wooded, moody photos. You can't go wrong with dramatic waterfalls, a gorgeous cobblestone bridge, and tall trees. Because of the evergreen trees, Whatcom Falls is a great spot to shoot at year round. The heavy forest coverage also diffuses any harsh light, making it a very reliable spot no matter the time of day or weather. 

14- Woodstock Farm

Woodstock Farm is a lesser-known hidden gem off of Chucknut Drive. It has a gorgeous overlook of the ocean, lots of fields to play in, and heavily wooded areas as well. Woodstock is a great option to get a lot of variety in your photo session. Another draw of Woodstock is that because it isn't a well known spot, there are never crowds there. If you feel a bit shy about being in front of a camera, this may be the perfect spot for you. 

13- Birch Bay State Park

Birch Bay is one of my all-time favorite places to shoot in the summer. If you want a bold golden hour, wide ocean views, as well as some forested areas, Birch Bay is perfect. No matter what day of the week you choose, you'll never have to worry about fighting crowds at Birch Bay. Also note that you will need a Discovery Pass to park in the State Park area, but not all of Birch Bay. 

12- Fairhaven

If you like city streets over the outdoors, Fairhaven is the perfect place to take photos. The brick buildings, and fun shops make for a unique and beautiful photo session. You can pop into Village books, Makeworth coffee, or Ritual Records to make your session extra fun. 

11- Clayton Beach

Rocky cliffs, hidden coves, and a killer view of the ocean are all things you'll find at Clayton Beach. You have to hike about a mile and a half each way, but the scenery is worth it. 

10- Studios

Washington is known for its dreary winters, but studios are a great option if you want something more reliable in the off season! Studios are perfect for families with newborns who want a more controlled, quiet environment, or business branding photos. Some of my favorite local studios are The Bellingham Studio, or Vine Creative Spaces NW. 

9- Hovander Park

Hovander Park is the definition of variety. You can run around in gorgeous fields, walk around on the boardwalks over the lake, wander through the flower gardens, or explore the historic buildings on site. If you don't really know what you want for your photo session, Hovander is the perfect spot. You will get a little bit of everything! 

8- Semiahmoo

Semiahmoo maybe one of the most well known places to take photos in Whatcom County, and for good reason. Historic docks, golden fields, sandy shores, and the iconic water tower make for perfect photos on a summer night. Semiahmoo is also a location that can get rather crowded on the weekend (especially with other photographers). So plan ahead and shoot on a weekday so that you don't have to fight the crowds!

7- Blaine Marine Park

Another lesser known spot, Blaine Marine Park is one of my favorites. It has a beautiful pier overlooking the Blaine marina as well as White Rock, BC and Semiahmoo across the water. The pier connects to a beautiful field overlooking the water and is within walking distance to downtown Blaine. 

6- Downtown Lynden

Quiet, quaint, and Dutch! In the spring and summer, colorful flower baskets line the streets, complimenting the red and white brick. The iconic windmill, white walls, and golden fields behind the streets make for a perfect session. 

5- Boulevard Park

The iconic boardwalk, grassy fields, sailboats in the distance, and an easy walk to Fairhaven! Boulevard is a great spot for photos year round and in any weather. 

4- Waypoint Park

If you want a fun mix of industrial and ocean vibes, Waypoint Park is perfect. The Granery Building, Acid Ball, and digester tanks, make for very unique fixtures to include in your photos. There is also a lot of street art, and a small pier to play with. It can get rather crowded in the summer, so plan ahead!

3- Berthusen Park

Right outside of Lynden, Berthusen Historical Park is a beautiful forested park with towering trees and open fields. Berthusen is a very reliable spot year round because of the heavy evergreen coverage. It is also never heavily crowded, so it is a great option for any shoot!

2- Larrabee State Park

Another hidden gem off of Chuckanut Drive, this is a client-favorite. Larrabee is a beautiful mix of ocean views, cliffsides, and forest. It can get rather busy in the summer, and places to shoot are limited. So, if you want to shoot at Larrabee, make sure you plan it for a weekday for the best chance of getting the photos you want!  You will also need a Discovery Pass here!

1- Artist's Point

About an hour and a half from Bellingham, Artist's Point may be the most beautiful place in all of Washington. The dramatic 360 degree mountain views will take your breath away every single time. Artist's Point is usually only open July to October due to heavy snow, so take advantage of it while it's open! Mt Baker has many other beautiful places to take photos year round, but Artist's Point will always win if you hit it at the right time.