I started this portrait around noon at Refugio Valley Park in Hercules, California. This can be a good time of day for a portrait as long as it isn’t too hot and there are large trees. Trees provide ample shade so that you don’t squint. They also allow for bright, colorful backgrounds and ample contrast. I typically use a flash so your face is bright against the glowing midday background.
Refugio Valley Park is a great space for portraits because of the well maintained grass, the trees, places to sit, the water features and the varied terrain. During earlier hours of the day, it’s also fairly empty so we can have our choice of spaces.
