Common Photoshoot Locations
Salt Lake City and the surrounding Wasatch Front offer an unusually wide variety of wedding portrait locations. From the alpine lakes to the salt flats to urban architecture. Because Utah has dry air, strong sun, and high elevation, the quality of light changes dramatically throughout the day, more so than in many lower-elevation locations. Scheduling your locations with the light levels associated with the time of day and season can create some magical scenery.
Use our Quick Lighting Guide as you’re deciding when to go to the locations you choose.
City Locations
Salt Lake City and County Building
Highlights: Soft light on sandstone architecture, usually fewer people, soft directional light.
Best: Aim for sunrise or one hour before sunset.
Utah State Capitol
Highlights: Nearly empty at sunrise, golden hour adds warm side-light, downtown views from the west lawn.
Best: Aim for sunrise (Primarily) or golden hour.
Temple Square
Highlights: Gardens look best in soft light, blue hour is excellent for glowing pathways and architectural lighting.
Best: Early morning or blue hour.
Parks and gardens
International Peace Gardens
Highlight: Warm backlight through the trees creates a soft, romantic look.
Best: Golden hour.
Memory Grove Park
Highlights: Mature trees provide natural diffusion, stone bridges and water features add variety, easy backup location.
Best: Morning or late afternoon.
Liberty Park
Highlights: The western light filters beautifully through the mature tree canopy.
Best: Golden hour or blue hour.
Mountain/Outdoor Locations
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Highlights: Canyon walls block early sunlight, enables shooting through multiple lighting zones as the sun drops.
Best: 2-3 hours before sunset.
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Highlights: White Pine, Lisa Falls, and Albion Basin are fantastic locations.
Best: Golden hour.
Albion Basin Wildflower Season (Little Cottonwood Canyon)
Highlights: Wind is usually minimal, peaks catch light first for unique backdrops. Mid-July through early August is the prime wildflower window.
Best: Sunrise.
Silver Lake
Highlight: Mirror-like water is most common before morning breezes develop.
Best: Sunrise
Tibble Fork Reservoir
Note: Morning usually provides the cleanest reflections and the fewest paddleboarders.
Best: Sunrise or sunset.
Guardsman Pass (One of Utah’s Best)
Highlights: Glowing aspens, layered mountain ridges, dramatic cloud color.
Best: 60-90 minutes before sunset.
Park City
Historic Main Street
Highlight: The street lights begin glowing while there is still enough ambient light to balance exposure naturally.
Best: Golden hour into blue hour.
McPolin Barn
Highlight: A classic northern Utah engagement and bridal location.
Best: Sunrise or golden hour.
Other Utah Locations
Bonneville Salt Flats
Highlights: Endless horizon, Huge skies, Minimal visual distractions, Beautiful pastel transitions after sunset.
Note: Reflections only occur when shallow water is present after rain or seasonal flooding.
Best: Sunrise or golden hour.
Great Salt Lake State Park
Highlights: Orange and pink skies, Silhouettes, Storm reflections, Minimalist shoreline compositions.
Note: Water levels, shoreline mud, and insect conditions change throughout the year.
Best: Sunset
Antelope Island State Park
Highlights: Beaches, Open grasslands, Mountain backdrops, Occasional wildlife in the distance.
Best: Sunrise or sunset (sunset is usually more dramatic)
Flower & Lavender Fields (June–July)
Highlights: More saturated flower color; Less wind; Fewer visitors; Usually cooler temperatures
Best: Sunrise
Urban / Downtown Sessions
Top Locations:
Library Square
Gallivan Center
City Creek Center
The Gateway
Highlights: City lights become attractive bokeh; Cooler ambient tones complement white dresses; Easy access for short bridal sessions.
Best: Blue hour and Evening
Fall Aspens
Top Locations:
American Fork Canyon
Millcreek Canyon
Guardsman Pass
Jordan Pines
Highlights: The low-angle light makes yellow aspens appear to glow from within.
Best: ~ 90 min before sunset.
Winter
Top Locations:
Snowbird
Alta
Solitude
Highlights: Sun is high enough to illuminate snow texture; Shadows are less extreme than at dawn; Temperatures are usually more comfortable; More flexibility if clouds move through
Best: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Let us help you decide where to go! Book a free consultation with us and we’ll help you get all sorted out and feeling confident.
