Location Guide

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is "Do you know of any good locations that I might like?"

I wanted to create a place where my you can explore options and then come to me with any additional questions you might have.


Below you will find tips for how to pick a location, the pros and cons of renting a studio space, and my favorite locations by season.


Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have while reading this guide or picking a location for your session.

Kaysville

Mona

Bountiful

Salt Lake City

SPRING

Here are three of my favorites:

  1. Memory Grove & Utah State Capital (Salt Lake City) - surrounded by a trail of blooming pink cherry blossoms + pathways with flowers and green. (5 minutes from downtown SLC)
  2. Tunnel Springs Park (North Slat Lake) - This location is popular for a reason! The park is a large meadow of green grass, rolling hills, and yellow reeds. (15 minutes from downtown Bountiful)
  3. Cherry Orchard (Kaysville)
  4. Garden Park Ward (Salt Lake City)

Mountain Green

SUMMER

Here are three of my favorites:

  1. Trappers Loop (Mountain Green)
  2. Albion Basin (Little Cottonwood Canyon) - A stunning view of Utah's mountain landscape & fields of wildflowers in the summer. This location has never failed me yet! (30 minutes from downtown SLC)
  3. Lavender Fields (Mona)
  4. Bountiful Pond (Bountiful)

Big Cottonwood Canyon

FALL

Here are three of my favorites:

  1. Solitude Ski Resort (Big Cottonwood Canyon)
  2. Tibble Fork Reservoir (American Fork Canyon) - A blue reservoir surrounded by evergreen tress and tall mountain scapes. (30 minutes from downtown Provo)
  3. Great Salt Lake Shoreline Preserve (Layton)
  4. Guardsman Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

How to pick a location

The first step to choosing a location is to identify the goals of your session. These goals might be something like: "yearly Christmas card family photos," or they could be something like "candid photos of my husband and two other kids at 32 weeks somewhere with lots of flowers while I'm wearing a white flowy dress." The goals of your session will look different for everyone!


To determine YOUR goals, ask yourself these questions:

  1. Why am I getting my photos taken?
  2. What do I want to feel when I look at my completed photos?
  3. Do I naturally like color? Or do I learn toward neutrals?


By answering these questions, you will be able to determine which locations are or aren't for you. Knowing what is important to you will help you determine if you should stay inside or head outside, venture to the mountains or find red rock, stay local or try a location in another city.

Salt Lake City

Should you rent a studio?

Pros of Renting a Studio

  1. There is no sun in the eyes, wind messing up hair, grass to pull and throw, or pressure from other photographers to hurry. Studios are always warm, never windy, and hardly rushed. They are perfect for littles.
  2. Studios are great for those who desire a more intimate setting. Studios often have beds, couches, chairs, and other props that are available to use during your session.
  3. If you love the feel of an in-home newborn session but don't love the look of your own home, studios are the perfect compromise.


Cons of Renting a Studio

  1. Studios often cost around &50-$100 to book for an hour session. This adds to the cost of your session & does not include a travel fee if the studio is outside Utah County.
  2. You cannot be late to your session. Studios are rented hourly and cannot be changed less than 24 hours in advance. If you are late, there is no grace period & your time cannot be made up at the end of your session.
  3. Studios must be booked during daylight hours.


These pros and cons can also be applied to in-home newborn sessions which generally take place within the comfort of your own home.

Studio Elevn

Session 101

how to prepare