5 OUTDOOR photo locations when everything is still dead in Utah

Is it the spring in winter and everything is still dead in Utah? Picture this: You are getting married in the Spring or summer but you don’t want snow for your engagement pictures. Or you are wanting amazing formal pictures, but not in the snow. Here are 5 locations that are pretty still even when it’s dead outside.

  1. Utah Lake

    Utah Lake is so diverse. I have 4 spots I like to shoot along there. Depending on the spot, there are big boulders, rocks, shoreline, docks, tall grasses, trees. This is a great place for spring.

2. Saltair

Saltair is only 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake. There is a good variety there with the long grasses, sand, rocks, and beautiful lake views. Usually in the Spring there is not a lot of bugs unless is unusually warm. It is a walk (10ish minutes) out to the shore depending on the year. And hopefully there will be a good sunset for some silhouette shots!

3. Diamond Fork Red Ledges

Red Ledges is up Diamond Fork Canyon in Spanish Fork. It’s a great location if you want some red rock but don’t want to travel to St. George or Moab. There’s the red rock, fence, a river, the road, and a nearby field (not pictured).

4. Storm Mountain, Big Cottonwood Canyon

Storm Mountain is up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is a beautiful rocky landscape with views down the canyon. To get the good view of the canyon, there is a super short climb required. It is a beautiful spot!

5. Downtown Salt Lake

There’s a few spots in downtown Salt Lake that are great spots for an urban feel. There is temple square, exchange place, or a parking garage.

Contact me to take your engagement or bridal pictures at one of these locations!

What should I wear to my engagement session?

tips on what to wear to your engagement session

Are you unsure of what to wear to your engagement session? One huge tip that I like to give to my couples is to try on the outfits first! Whatever you wear, I would suggest to have a family member or friend take a picture of you in it first. If you are anything like me, you will care more about the way you look in the picture before you care about the best smiles. I’ve had people time and time again say they loved the photo but they didn’t like what they wore.

What to wear: You are welcome to wear 1-2 outfits. You could start your photo session wearing dressy clothes, and then change into more casual clothes (or vice versa). Most locations do not have a bathroom, so plan on changing in your car or bringing a blanket to change behind. 

Tips on what to wear:

  • Choose comfortable clothes: If you’re not comfortable, it will be noticeable in the pictures. Choose clothes that will flatter and look best on you.

  • Wear something that compliments your personality: Make sure your clothes look like “you” and fits your style.

  • Coordinate your clothing with each other: Wear clothes that are the same level of “dressyness,” and wear similar shades that compliment each other.

  • Choose clothes to compliment your location and the time of year.

What NOT to wear:

  • Fluorescent Colors: Fluorescent colors (such as bright orange or red) tend to color cast on faces, necks and hair. When the shirt is so bright, it often also changes the color of the person standing next to them.

  • Big and bold graphic shirts, baseball hats, sunglasses.

  • Major changes with your hair and makeup: You want your engagement photos to reflect who you really are, and you want to be comfortable in your own skin.

If you are unsure what to wear, bring it all and I can help you decide!

Other tips: 

-Please empty your pockets. You don’t want keys and phones to show through.

- Spit out your gum. It is hard to photoshop out gum showing through teeth. 

- Please be on time! I want to make sure you get the best light for both of your outfits.

See more ideas for engagement outfits on my Engagement Photography Portfolio page.

Contact me to book your session!