Citrus Ranch Park Family Photos in Tustin, CA
YOUNG FAMILY PHOTOS AT CITRUS RANCH PARK
Young family photos at Citrus Ranch Park hit the sweet spot for this holiday session: easy parking, clean backdrops, and plenty of space. I met Ashley, Blaze, and Blake here for their end-of-year photos, and we kept things simple—minimal posing, lots of interaction, and soft winter light. If you’re looking for a beautiful spot near Irvine that works well for families, this Tustin hillside is worth considering. You can also check out how my family photography sessions in Irvine are structured if you're thinking ahead.
Why I Love Photographing Families at Citrus Ranch Park
EASY ACCESS
Citrus Ranch sits just off Portola Parkway, with its own parking lot and a short walk to the lemon grove and hilltop. You don’t have to stress about parking on side streets or hauling gear across a huge park. If you’ve got toddlers, strollers, or grandparents coming along, that matters. It’s the kind of setup where you can be shooting five minutes after pulling in. You can see how this compares to other locations I use for family photography in Irvine.
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
This park isn’t overly landscaped or filled with signage—it’s simple. A row of lemon trees. A curved stone staircase. A little hill that catches golden hour light in a way that makes skin tones look great. You don’t need props or a styled wardrobe to make it feel put together. It’s easy to keep the focus on your family without competing with what’s behind you.
GREAT LIGHTING
At the top of the hill, the light stays clean and even. Toward the end of the day, you don’t get blown-out skies or harsh shadows—it’s wide open and easy to shoot in any direction. There’s clear sky behind, the lemon grove below, and enough space to move without anyone else in the background. It makes things look sharp and put together, even if the session itself is low-key.
Session Details & Pricing
Family sessions start at $600. That base rate covers up to two hours, all final images delivered high-res, and a private online gallery with no download limits. Some sessions run longer or include extra coverage (like multi-generational families or separate locations), and pricing adjusts accordingly. You can see how things are structured on the investment page if you want more detail.
I. STARTING PRICE
Citrus Ranch is one of those spots that photographs better later in the day. We usually start 60–90 minutes before sunset to take advantage of the hilltop light, then move through the grove as it softens. In December, that means around 3:30. In spring and fall, closer to 4:30. I’ll help lock in the timing based on your date and light.
II. BEST TIME TO SHOOT
Galleries are typically ready within 10–12 days. If you’re planning to use the photos for holiday cards or gifts, just flag it—I can usually move your edits up if there’s a deadline. Everything is delivered online in one place, with full-res downloads and no hoops to jump through.
III. DELIVERY TIMELINE
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes. The walk from the parking lot is short, and once you’re at the top of the hill, there’s space to move around without distractions or safety concerns. We don’t need them to sit still—we just need a little room and decent light, and this park gives us both.
-
Absolutely. Especially with younger kids, it’s smart to have something on hand for breaks. Bring anything that won’t stain clothes or slow us down too much. I usually recommend a wipe or two in your pocket just in case.
-
Cloudy days actually photograph really well. The light stays even across the whole park, and you won’t have to squint or worry about harsh shadows. We can still use the full location, and the gallery will look just as clean.