Laguna Niguel Family Photographer – Pfeiffer Family at Regional Park

RELAXED FAMILY PHOTOS AT LAGUNA NIGUEL REGIONAL PARK

Little boy running through his parents' arms.

Irvine and Orange County family photos like this session with Natasha, Jason, and their boys are the kind of work I love coming back to every year. I’ve been photographing them for six years now, and somehow it keeps getting better. This time we met at Laguna Niguel Regional Park. It’s one of my favorite spots in South OC because of the variety—we started near the sycamore trees for that soft, filtered light and ended up on the open hills near the lake for sunset. It offers a rustic, woodsy vibe that’s hard to find elsewhere in Orange County. We explored, played, and caught the honest moments that matter. If you’re thinking about family photos in Irvine or nearby, this spot is always dependable.

Husband and wife standing close together watching their two boys play at Laguna Niguel Regional Park.

Why Laguna Niguel Regional Park is a South OC Gem

ICONIC SYCAMORE TREES

The massive Sycamore trees are the signature of Laguna Niguel Regional Park. They provide a grand, textured backdrop and, more importantly, consistent open shade. This means we can shoot earlier in the afternoon without harsh shadows on faces, giving us a clean, polished look that highlights the connection between your family.

Happy family enjoying a photoshoot at Laguna Niguel Regional Park in Orange County, CA.

FILTERED GOLDEN HOUR

Because the park is tucked into the hills of Laguna Niguel, the sun dips behind the ridge-line a bit earlier than at the beach. This creates a soft, filtered "golden hour" glow that wraps around the trees. It allows us to capture those dreamy, backlit family portraits while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and cool.

Two young brothers posing for a portrait at a park.

VARIETY BEYOND THE BEACH

While Orange County is famous for its coast, this park offers a stunning rustic alternative. We get incredible variety here without much walking: from the open grassy fields perfect for running toddlers to the walking paths near the lake. It provides that "woodsy" feel that gives your gallery a completely different vibe than the typical beach session.

Two boys playing at a park during family photoshoot in Orange County.
Two boys in shorts and white shorts wearing loafers.
8 year old blond haired boy playing with a stick.
Two young boys playing with sticks at a Laguna Niguel park.
Close up shot of a boy in a white shirt with his hands in the pockets.
Family portrait of parents and two sons interacting in an Orange County park.
Child playing outdoors. Natural light photography by Venya Manzyuk..
Orange County family photography: Father embraces son with joyful laughter.
Family portrait session in Laguna Niguel park, Orange County.
Young kid touching the bushes with a stick.
Orange County family photographer capturing a tender moment between mother and son.
Family photography in Orange County: Boy in white shirt embraces his mother in a park setting.
Heartfelt embrace between mother and son during an outdoor family photoshoot in Orange County.
Young kid making a funny face at his brother during family photoshoot.
Close up shot of a Viscera watch with a brown leather band on a man's arm.
Young kid sticking his tounge out at his brother.
Sunlit family portrait of a couple with their two boys.
Two brothers wearing white shirts and khaki shorts posing for a portrait next to a big tree.
A family of four standing in a big field at sunset.
Woman walking through the woods with her husband and two boys.
A father and his two sons share a moment in a park, captured by Venya Manzyuk Photography.
Young boy holding a big stick.
Two young boys throwing leaves up in the air.
Two boys in jeans running up a big hill in Laguna Niguel.
Two brothers giving each other high-fives at a park.
A boy running down the hill during family photo session in Orange County.
Mother and her son sitting down on the grass looking at each other.
A family of 4 walking up a big hill in Orange County, CA.
Laguna Niguel family portrait of parents hugging their two sons at the park.
Top down view of a boy hugging his father at a park in Southern California.
Family portrait, Orange County, sunset. Child on dad's shoulders, playful moment captured by Venya Manzyuk Photography.
Family of four walking up a hill in Laguna Niguel.
Two boys and their parents standing together watching the sunset.
Jason and Natasha Pfeiffer standing close together posing for a portrait.
Close up shot of a man hugging his wife.
Man and woman about to kiss during their family portrait session in Laguna Niguel.
Jason and Natasha Pfeiffer kissing on top of a hill in Laguna Niguel.
Orange County family holding hands walking downhill.
Orange County child portrait, boy in jeans, outdoor photoshoot.
Boy in denim jacket, children's portrait photography.
Young boy running under his parents' arms at a Laguna Niguel Park.
Parents chasing their two boys around the field during a family photo session in Orange County.
Young boy being thrown up in the air by his father.
Orange County family of 4 making funny faces.

Related Sessions

Two brothers jumping across large rocks and laughing during a playful family photo session at Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine.

YOUNG FAMILY

JEFFREY OPEN SPACE TRAIL

Parents crouching down to hold their toddler daughter's hands on a dirt path under the trees at Jeffrey Open Space Trail.

PATEL FAMILY

JEFFREY OPEN SPACE TRAIL

A father laughing while holding his young son during a golden hour family photography session at Capistrano Beach.

WEINGARTEN FAMILY

CAPISTRANO BEACH

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, OC Parks charges a small vehicle entry fee (typically $3–$5). I highly recommend driving in rather than parking on the street. The park is massive, and our shooting spots are far from the entrance. Driving in saves our time and energy for the photos rather than spending it on a long hike.

  • Yes, this location requires a professional photography permit. I handle all of the permitting and paperwork on my end as part of your session, so you don't need to worry about being stopped by rangers.

  • It is one of the best. Unlike the beach where you have to worry about waves or steep cliffs, this park is flat, grassy, and open. It’s incredibly safe for toddlers to run free, which helps us capture those genuine, joyful candid moments.