Family Photos at Tolmie State Park
Fall showed up right on time for this one.
We met at Tolmie State Park on a gray October afternoon, which around here is basically the ideal lighting setup — no squinting, no harsh shadows, just soft even light and a whole lot of yellow bigleaf maple overhead.
Why I love Tolmie State Park
for Family Photos
Tolmie is one of my go-to spots for families in the Olympia, WA area, and here's why:
Two totally different backdrops in one park. Forest trails and mossy understory on one side, Puget Sound beach and driftwood on the other. You get variety without driving anywhere.
It's close. About 20 minutes northeast of downtown Olympia — easy for families who are working around a nap schedule.
Short walk from the parking lot. Nobody's hauling a toddler up a mountain.
Fall color that actually shows up. The maples turn gold, and the ground gets covered in leaves, which doubles as a backdrop AND a toy for little kids.
What to wear to your family session
This family nailed it. A shared palette of navy, denim, cream, and warm tan, with a little pattern mixed in. Nobody matched exactly, but everything belonged together — and the earth tones sat naturally against the fall color instead of fighting it.
A few rules of thumb:
Pick two or three colors and build everyone's outfit from that range.
Skip large logos and bright neons; they pull the eye away from faces.
Layers photograph well and give us options if the weather turns.
Comfortable shoes for the kids. They will be walking on uneven ground, and they will tell you about it.
““OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I TRULY CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!! ahhhh I love them!!!”
Quick logistics note:
Tolmie is a Washington State Park, so you'll need a Discover Pass on your vehicle.
Day passes are available at the park, but grabbing one ahead of time saves you a scramble.
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