Playful Family Portraits at Cypress Lawn — A Creative Bay Area Family Photography Session

Family photography sometimes takes the most unexpected and wonderful turns — and this session was exactly that. As a Bay Area family photographer, I am always delighted when a client suggests something playful or offbeat, but this creative teen’s idea took things to a whole new level. She proposed a full multi-generation family portrait session in the historic Cypress Lawn cemetery — a place filled with striking architecture, peaceful green lawns, and more personality than any standard park backdrop.

Generations gathered together among angel statues, grand stone crypts, and beautifully aged pathways. Rather than somber, the day was full of laughter. The family embraced the quirky location wholeheartedly: piggy-back rides, bubble blowing, sisters posing dramatically between stone pillars, and a grandmother wrapped in the warmest hugs from her grandkids. Every moment felt spontaneous and genuinely joyful.

What I loved most was how the location brought out the family's dynamics — the gentle teasing, the affection, and the comfort they share with one another. The cemetery’s historic paths became stages for goofy poses, quick group hugs, and moments of quiet connection. It was heartfelt, irreverent, and refreshing — the kind of session that reminds me why I love photographing families.

If you are thinking about planning your own unique session, you can explore more of my family photography and portrait sessions to spark ideas. You can also browse the full portfolio gallery or learn about my session approach on the Services page.

This cemetery session ended with giggles, hugs, and a set of images that truly capture this family’s bond — playful, loving, and unapologetically themselves. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard at a shoot. It was perfect.