This session was everything you remember when you look back on a summer night at the lake. Nick and Lauren chose a local spot in Lake Tahoe from the years when they lived there to document who they are as they enter an exciting new chapter of becoming parents.

This location wasn’t just a pretty backdrop, but a place filled with meaning and memories—and because it was dog-friendly, their pup was able to be part of the adventure too. We wandered a small trail nearby, watched the sun dip below the mountains, and captured the slow, intentional moments life in transition. In this blog, you’ll find inspiration from their Tahoe session, along with ideas for your own shoot in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Table of Contents:

• Nick and Lauren’s Photos in Lake Tahoe
• Location Ideas for your photos in the Sierras
• Lake Tahoe Super 8 Video
• Best Seasons in Lake Tahoe
• Tahoe Photo Sessions
• Nick and Lauren’s Review
• Tahoe Photographer
• Inspiration for your Portraits

Lakeside Adventure – Maternity Photos in Lake Tahoe

Nick and Lauren

The North Shore of Lake Tahoe is a place that holds a deep, personal significance for Nick and Lauren. When they reached out with the idea to document this new season at a place they once called home, it was an immediate “heck yes” from me.

There is something so intentional about returning to your roots to celebrate a new beginning. Our history goes back an entire decade—10 years ago, I photographed their engagement photos in Santa Cruz. Now, seeing them prepare for their greatest adventure yet—parenthood—felt like such a beautiful, full-circle moment.

On a quiet evening in late May, we didn’t just “take photos”; we spent time in a place that already held many memories for them. We started by wandering along a local trail, where their pup could lead the way. As the sun lowered in the sky, we made our way down to the the lake. There is a specific kind of stillness that settles over Lake Tahoe just as the sun begins to dip behind the mountains. It was the perfect, low-key setting to slow down and document the essence of who Nick and Lauren are together and soak in those feelings of how far they’ve come, and what is ahead.

More Locations for your Photos in the Sierra Nevadas

While this tiny hidden gem of a locals’ spot in Lake Tahoe was incredibly sweet, the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains have so much more to offer. Depending on the “vibe” you want for your session, these are a few of my favorite areas to explore in and around Lake Tahoe:

Donner Lake / Donner Summit

Located just outside the mountain town of Truckee, California, this area offers a diverse array of looks in a very small footprint.

• Donner Summit: Offers sweeping views of the lake from high above—an absolutely amazing spot to start your session at sunrise.
• Donner Lake: The shores of Donner Lake and pockets of Donner Memorial State Park, offer forest locations, and the best lakeside vibes. 
• Add a touch of adventure: Donner is a perfect spot if you want to incorporate an activity like paddleboarding on a summer afternoon, jumping off the docks, or a quiet sunset picnic on the shores.

South Shore Lake Tahoe

The south end of the lake is often known for its laid-back vibes, but it also holds real hidden gems if you know where to look to escape the crowds. With South Lake Tahoe as your backdrop, we can find lakeside spots with those iconic views of the mountains meeting the water, walk along the beach, or find a trail to explore. While it can be a busy area, it is a real gem if you plan for the right time of day to ensure the session feels intentional and private.

Hope Valley

If you’re down to venture away from the immediate Tahoe basin, Hope Valley is one of my favorite areas for a quieter experience in the Sierras. Because it’s a bit more tucked away, it offers a sense of stillness.

• The Landscape: Throughout Hope Valley, you’ll find expansive meadows framed by mountains, riverside spots, and stunning alpine lakes, offering different backdrops for your photos.
• The Vibe: Being removed from the main destinations of Lake Tahoe gives you the space to explore and really soak in the quiet moments of your session.

Best Seasons for Photos in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of those places in Northern California you simply have to see for yourself. While the photos are beautiful, they truly don’t do the scale of this place justice. Because it is such a popular destination with small mountain roads, it can be a bit of chaos in certain seasons. However, you can still find pockets of quiet beauty if you hit the right spots at the right time—and I am here to help you navigate exactly that.

Late Spring & Summer in Lake Tahoe

Hitting Tahoe in the late spring (May through early June) is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds while still enjoying a lush, beautiful landscape—if you’re lucky, you might even catch some wildflowers.Summer in Lake Tahoe is truthfully absolute chaos, but it remains one of the best seasons to experience the mountains. You get those classic warm days followed by crisp, cool evenings that make that summer in the mountains feeling hard to beat. If you have your heart set on a summer session, I highly recommend a sunrise session to capture the best light and find quiet moments before the day’s bustle begins.

Fall Season in Lake Tahoe

Once late August hits and summer vacations wind down, the pace in Tahoe and the Sierras slows down a bit. The fall season here is absolutely stunning; the landscape shifts into warm hues in the grasses and golden tones in the trees. Late August through September is a prime season for photo sessions because of that incredible color palette and the stillness of it all.

Ready for Your Own Lake Tahoe Adventure Session?

Whether you’re looking for a chill lakeside session or a real adventure deeper into the Sierras, there are so many spots to choose from in these mountains and endless ways to create a session that feels true to who you are.

The Sierra Nevadas are so rad, and I would love to help you find the perfect “off the beaten path” spot that tells your story. If you’ve made it this far, be sure to check out the links below for more Sierra Nevada sessions and inspiration for your own photos in the mountains.

What Lauren and Nick had to say about their Portraits in Lake Tahoe

“Jess took our engagement photos a decade ago and we couldn’t think of a better person to have a full circle moment with and ask to take our maternity photos! She brought our vision to life and I couldn’t be more stoked on how the experience was itself and how the photos turned out. My husband isn’t keen on getting his picture taken, but even he shared how comfortable he was and how natural it felt to be in our element creating these beautiful memories. We had so much fun and I felt like Jess really captured the essence of who we are as a couple and a growing family. It was a really special day and I would recommend Jess to anyone!”

Lake Tahoe Photographer

Jess Rankin

Inspiration for your Adventure Session in the Sierras

Ready to keep dreaming? Here are a few of my favorite sessions and guides to help you get stoked as you plan your own adventure in the mountains of Northern California: