Heisler Park Photoshoot Location Guide (Laguna Beach, CA)
An easy, ocean-view location for warm, happy, real family and maternity photos in Orange County.
If you want Laguna Beach views without a session that feels complicated, Heisler Park is one of my favorite go-to locations. You’ll get a hybrid gallery here. Classic portraits that look great on the wall, plus the “that’s so us” moments in between. The walking paths make it especially doable with toddlers and kids who need to move.
Warm, happy, and real, with just enough guidance to make it easy.
Heisler Park Quick Details & Things to Consider
Best light: Golden hour (the hour before sunset) is the easiest win here.
Crowds: Heisler is popular. Weekdays feel calmer, while weekends and summer can be busy (especially near sunset).
Walking level: Easy. Mostly paved paths. Beach access involves stairs.
Parking: Metered street parking + nearby public lots. Laguna parking can be the hardest part, so plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early, and more on weekends or during summer.
Bathrooms: Yes, nearby.
Wind: It’s the coast. Wind happens. I’ll guide you into angles and prompts that keep everything flattering and connected, even if your hair is doing its own thing.
Tides: Tide impacts how much sand we can use and which beach areas are accessible. Low tide gives us the most options, and I’ll help you pick a tide-friendly time window.
Toddlers and kids: This spot is naturally “wiggle-friendly.” We can walk, explore, snuggle, and play without forcing anyone to stand still the whole time.
Permit note: Laguna Beach requires a professional still photography permit for sessions at city parks and beaches. If you book a Signature or Premium collection, your permit is included in the cost.
Planning a full beach day too? Read my Heisler Park Visitor Guide for parking, bathrooms, and what to do nearby.
Recent Photoshoots at Heisler Park
Want to see what this location looks like in a real client gallery? Here are a few recent family and maternity sessions at Heisler Park. This is one of my favorite Laguna Beach spots for creating a mix of classic portraits and joyful, connected moments.
Heisler Park Laguna Beach Photoshoot Location Overview
Heisler Park is one of the most iconic coastal spots in Laguna Beach, and it works especially well for family photos and maternity photos because you can get multiple clean, beautiful backdrops within a short walk. The combination of paved paths, ocean cliffs, and pockets of greenery makes it a strong option when you want coastal scenery without a session that feels like a full beach hike.
If you’re choosing between a few Orange County beach locations, Heisler is often the sweet spot when you want variety + convenience, as long as you plan for parking and crowds.
Related: If you’re browsing options, start with my Orange County photoshoot location guide
Best Time for Heisler Park Photoshoot
Golden hour (before sunset) is ideal for soft light and that warm Laguna glow.
Seasonally, Heisler photographs well year-round, but the experience changes:
Spring + fall: often the most comfortable mix of light and crowd level
Summer: gorgeous sunsets, but the busiest season
Winter: quieter, sometimes breezy, great if you want fewer people around
If you tell me your kids’ ages (and due date, if maternity), I’ll recommend a time window that makes sense for light + logistics + kid energy.
What to Expect During a Heisler Park Family or Maternity Session
You don’t need to know how to pose. You don’t need your kids to act like tiny models. You just show up and I’ll guide you.
A typical flow here:
Start on the paths for classic portraits while everyone is fresh
Shift into simple prompts (walking, snuggling, playing) that create real smiles
Add variety with cliffs and ocean backdrops
If tide and energy allow, finish with a few beach images for extra variety
This is the hybrid approach: wall photos + “that’s so us” photos.
Heisler Park Photos With Toddlers
Heisler is a strong choice for toddlers because it doesn’t require kids to stand still the entire time. The paved paths give us a “move-friendly” base, and we can build in resets naturally.
What usually works best:
starting on the paths (less distraction than the sand)
using movement prompts instead of “stand here and smile”
letting curiosity and play lead, while I keep the structure
If your toddler is shy, loud, clingy, or having big feelings, it’s normal. We pivot, we keep it light, and we still get connection.
What to Wear at Heisler Park
Heisler photographs best with simple, warm, true-to-life styling.
Good choices for a coastal Laguna look
soft neutrals and warm tones (cream, tan, rust, muted blue, soft greens)
light texture (linen, knits, gauze)
comfortable shoes you can walk in (we can swap for a few photos if you want)
Try to avoid if you can
neon colors
tiny busy patterns
outfits that require constant adjusting
If you book Signature or Premium, you also have access to my Motherhood Wardrobe (which makes outfit planning way easier).
Heisler Park Parking Tips (Laguna Beach)
Parking is usually the biggest stress point here, so the best “hack” is simply building in a buffer.
Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early (more on weekends and summer sunsets).
Aim for metered street parking
If parking logistics feel like an automatic no, tell me. I can recommend a similar coastal option with easier arrival.
Heisler Park Photoshoot Location FAQ
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Yes. Laguna Beach requires a $100 permit for professional sessions in city parks and beaches. My Signature and Premium collections include the permit cost
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I always check tide reports before scheduling a photoshoot here, however, if tides are unexpectedly high, we’ll stay path and cliff heavy and still get a full, varied gallery.
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The main park paths are paved and easy. Beach access involves stairs, so we plan around your comfort level.
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I’ll guide you into cleaner backgrounds and keep us moving. Weekdays and non Summer scheduling helps if you want fewer people around.