New Year’s Day Sunrise at Memorial Park – Photo Walk

Happy New Year's Photographers! What better way to kick off the New Year than taking pictures of the first sunrise of the year. We are also kicking off a new year of r in-person meetups with a New Year’s Day sunrise photo walk at Memorial Park in Riverside.

We’ll meet an hour before sunrise and begin shooting during civil twilight along the rivers edge. Memorial Park offers great river reflections, walkways, benches, and the memorial sculpture—ideal for landscapes, details, and quiet, intentional compositions. Expect a low-key, walk-and-shoot style meetup with time to explore and compare shots.

All experience levels are welcome, whether you’re dusting off your camera or starting a new photography habit for the year.
Recommended gear:
Camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or phone)
Tripod (strongly recommended before sunrise)
Wide to mid-range lens
Extra battery and memory card
Layers or a warm jacket

So join us to kick off the new year with calm river views, soft morning light, and a relaxed start to 2026. Looking forward to meeting everyone and starting the year with good light.