Couple posing with their dog on a dock at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont CA during a couples photo session

When a Fellow Photographer Trusts You With Her Photos

I'll be honest- photographing another photographer is one of those things that makes my palms sweat a little. When A reached out about a couples and anniversary session, I was thrilled and fully aware of exactly what that meant: she knows good light, being a talented photographer herself. We planned their Coyote Hills couples photos in Fremont on a winter afternoon, and from the moment we started, I knew it was going to be one of those sessions where everything just falls into place.

Five Years Together: That Deserves a Party (or at Least a Photo Session)

A and M were celebrating five years of marriage. Five years! They brought along A's mom and M's cousin and their partner, which meant we got the full family energy- group shots, candids, everyone cheering each other on. There is nothing like photographing people who genuinely love being around each other, and this crew had all the good energy

Oh, and Bucky. Bucky was a very good boy and I will not be taking any further questions about whether dogs belong in family photos. (They do. Always.)

Why Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont Is a Hidden Gem for Bay Area Couples Photos

We chose Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, CA for their couples photos, and honestly, more people should be shooting here. It has so much to work with: rolling golden hills, a gorgeous easy pier to walk along, open space that gives you room to breathe, and that particular winter light that is soft and warm and does all the heavy lifting for you.

For Bay Area couples looking for something that isn't Golden Gate Bridge or the Marin Headlands, Coyote Hills is a genuinely beautiful alternative. It's spacious enough that you're not dodging other people, the terrain gives you variety within the same session, and the East Bay light in winter? Absolute magic. If you're looking for couples photos in Fremont or the East Bay, it’s such a good option.

Real People, Real Love, One Very Good Dog

What I love most about sessions like this is that the love just shows up on its own. A and M are just that couple- the kind where you point a camera at them and it's already right there on the surface. No posing required, no awkward warm-up. Just five years of knowing each other, showing up exactly as they are, with the people they love most.

The group shots had so much laughter and joy in them. Bucky was photogenic and cooperative (10/10, would photograph again). And that winter sun came through low and golden and made everything look like a movie.

Happy five years, A + M. Here's to more adventures, more good food, and so many more memories, and to Bucky, who absolutely carried the whole shoot 🐾

xoxo misterdebs

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Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, CA offers a lot of variety in one location, including a scenic pier, rolling hills, open marshland views, and wide open space. It feels relaxed and spacious, which makes for natural, unhurried photos that do not feel posed.
Golden hour is the best time, about an hour before sunset. In the fall and winter, the light is soft, warm, and lower in the sky, which creates a natural glow. Planning your session to end at sunset will give you the best results.
Yes, Coyote Hills is a great location for couples, families, and pets. Dogs are allowed on the trails, and the open space makes it easy for everyone to move around comfortably during the session.
Yes, there is a day use parking fee to enter the park. It is best to check the current rate on the East Bay Regional Parks website before your session, since fees may change.