One of our most coveted locations for family photo sessions in OC is the Thomas F Riley Wilderness Park location. Thomas F Riley’s family photo sessions are a definite favorite! The team learned about this location a few years ago from a previous engagement session in the Coto de Caza area. Since then, our team has been incorporating a ton of photoshoots! Family session photoshoots, Maternity session photoshoots, portraits, as well as Engagement photoshoots!
A permit was not always a requirement to shoot on site. However, a few years passed since then and now it has become an evermore popular location for photographers and photoshoots. A new rule was implemented throughout the scene, specifically for professional photographers. Although attaining a permit for the Wilderness Park location seems a little difficult, it is luckily quite easy. At TNK Photos we would definitely recommend purchasing a permit from the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park location if you already do not have one at your local OC Parks. A beautiful area with a popular scenic background, it is a no brainer to make this the place to be.
Additionally, we always schedule our sessions about an hour before sunset here at TNK Photo. This is implemented for several reasons: lighting, background, and comfort for our clients.












Off-camera lighting during a photoshoot is always a staple. That time just before the sun sets is the best type of lighting when it comes to natural light photography. With the gorgeous background of the sun going down and beautiful setting of golden colors. It provides a lovely background for our photoshoots, but also helps them feel comfortable in the cooler environment while posing. When it is extremely hot, sweaty and humid, comfortability is something we try our best to provide for our clients.
At Thomas F Riley you do have to keep in mind that they close the gate at sunset. As long as we wrap up before the sun sets, everything should be perfect!






All in all, there are endless options in Orange County for family photo sessions and a variety of portraits. And, at Thomas F. Riley t Wilderness Park in Coto De Caza, California, we must admit it is one of our top favorites for many reasons.
If you’d like to book a session here with us, feel free to reach out to us below. We usually do the longer 90-minute session so you don’t feel rushed. Also helps if you want to do multiple outfits. Generally, we start on one side of the trail and then focus on the other side at the end.