"You know all the good spots" my friend Melissa told me when asking for a photo shoot. True, I do have an innate eye for scenery that's becoming more and more polished now that I practice photography. At first, landscape photographers like large expansive vistas. Now I find myself looking at scenery on a smaller, person sized scale.

Pena Adobe Park

​With a lagoon and a choice of hills covered in both grass or trees, Pena Adobe is an excellent location. One can even have a picnic in the shady Hume Grove, an area in the park with tall trees providing shade and a well tended garden of plants and flowers. On a hill above the lagoon, there's a pioneer grave surrounded by cherry trees. An excellent spot in the right season when the cherry blossoms bloom. Keep in mind though, that it's on a hilltop so be prepared to hike.

​Suisun Waterfront

A particular favorite, the Suisun Waterfront is scenic and easy to get to. ​The venue is a microcosm of portrait locations to choose: The lighthouse and city hall are the prominent landmarks, however there are many smaller areas that make a unique and interesting scene. For example, next to the lighthouse is a grove of trees hard against the waterfront.

I enjoy frequent walks here and one spot in particular catches my eye for a future shoot. A gazebo in a residential neighborhood by the boat launch on Kellogg St. Another spot with potential is the outdoor hearth next to the Lawler House.

Serpas Ranch

Serpas Ranch open space is a huge playground for a photographer. Wide open vistas at 500 ft elevation, oak trees, hills, a pond and seasonal wetlands. The big downside is it's a cattle pasture. Beef doesn't smell so good when it's this fresh.​

At the entrance there's some flowering bushes and the seasonal wetland. Further into the hills to the west is an oak grove and a great view of Twin Sisters Mountain. ​Eastward is the "Turtle Pond".