2 minute read
Picture Perfect
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By Stephanie Seaberg, Resident since 2010
Hap MaGee Ranch: Danville’s Best Kept Secret
As we approach the fall season, we can thank our lucky stars that we live In California. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth, and the Golden State is absolutely the golden destination for a family photo shoot. The mild pink and purple sunsets bring out the brilliant orange leaves, which scatter the ground while the smell of burning firewood fills the air and pumpkin flavored everything is available in the corner shops.....how could you not get excited for fall?
Don Fraser and Eula Dial look fantastic surrounded by sun beams.
Autumn is always the most popular season for family portraits. The kids are looking their back-to-school best and cute scarves are everywhere. One of the many hidden gems of the Danville area happens to be a picture perfect destination for anyone looking to get inspired for their next holiday card. Between September and November, Hap Magee Ranch is often bustling with photographers snapping away at couples and families. This super quaint property features a wide open lawn, gazebo, old farm houses, community garden, playground, and wood bridge all surrounded by lovely Japanese Maple trees.
There are plenty of spaces around Hap MaGee for that perfect photo.
We caught up with Nicole Dial of Nautilus Lens Photography on a late September afternoon while she was taking a couple’s portraits. Dial calls this “Golden Hour”. It’s a certain time of day when the sky is evenly lit and the most flattering for pictures. “A few of my favorite spots are along the fence because it has great trees and the light near sundown has a lovely golden quality.” Hap Magee Ranch has numerous photo hotspots that fill this former cattle ranch turned park.
Professional photographers, like Nicole, can catch that golden light.
Newly engaged couples are often seen here along with families and young couples with their adorable pooches (Hap MaGee is a very dog friendly park) all anxious to take advantage of this beautiful landscape. It’s never too early to get your holiday card pictures taken so head over to the ranch with your favorite photographer!
Hap Magee Ranch Park 1025 La Gonda Way, Danville
Stephanie Seaberg has lived in the East Bay for the last 30 years, and is a SRVHS Alumni. Steph is a play-writer and director for Theater Performance Workshop, KAOS Camp, and Golden Oak Montessori. Steph lives for cooking, theater, photography, travel, and singing.
