Utah Photography Locations – Jessica Valentine Photography
March 28, 2023
I am so excited that you booked your session with me! The next step is to choose where you want to get your photos taken. Here are some of my very favorite, tried and true, Utah photography locations. I do have a long list of “wishlist” locations I haven’t been to but have heard good things about from other photographers. If you’re interested in an adventure, I can send over some of the other Utah photography locations, and we can pick something new!
Provo Canyon Field
I just scouted this location out last fall, so the only photos I have are in the fall. But HOLY COW. It is going to be so green in the spring! This does have a bit of a hike on a dirt road – about 10 minutes up to the field. Cell reception is spotty, so we will meet at the parking lot below and walk up together. It isn’t a very well known spot, so its not busy at all. We’ll meet at the parking lot about 1 – 1.5 hours before sunset.
Tibble Fork: American Fork Canyon
The sun sets behind the mountains early here, so we need to meet up a few hours before sunset. We will make a specific plan so you know exactly where to meet because there is no cell service It’s $6 to get up the canyon and is a very popular location for family pictures. The good thing is that there is so many places with amazing views that it doesn’t feel over crowded! Around the reservoir there is a beautiful field with a stunning pine background, wooden fences, and a beautiful shoreline.
Deer Creek Reservoir: Provo Canyon
I love love love this location. It’s at the very end of Provo Canyon, about a 20 minute drive from the mouth of the canyon. It has the most beautiful view of the mountains in an open field and is a great option all year long. Its never very busy and there is a lot of space to run around. We’ll meet here about an hour before sunset.
More photos from this location
Even more photos from this location
Aspen Grove: Provo Canyon
Aspen Grove Family Pictures is one of my favorites! We love this beautiful, Provo Canyon location all year long. In the summer it’s full of green, lush grass and then in the fall the leaves turn beautiful, bright colors! The parking lot is right next to the field, and it is only moderately busy during the busiest photography seasons. The sun sets behind the mountain a little earlier than most places, so we’ll meet about 2-3 hours before sunset.
Alpine Poppies: American Fork
The poppies are in bloom only for about 2 weeks in the early summer. When the poppies are there, it is very busy! I suggest you schedule your poppy photos on a weekday evening or in the morning. Its about a 10 minute (15 minute with little kids) walk up a dirt road. You can shoot here all year long, and it still looks beautiful for photos!
More photos and information about the poppies
Jolley’s Ranch: Hobble Creek Canyon
Jolley’s Ranch features pine trees, which stay green all year round, a white barn, a white fence, and a big field with mountain views. During fall its amazing, with tons of leaves and color. Because of the pine trees, mountains, and barn, this location is great year round. It takes under 10 minutes to get to this location from the base of the canyon.
GPS Location for Jolley’s Ranch
Tunnel Springs: North Salt Lake
Tunnel Springs is located on the East mountain range in North Salt Lake and is known for its beautiful bright light and wide open, rolling hills. Tunnel Springs is full of rolling hills and wide open spaces. In the Fall the grass is dry and brown, and in the spring the grass is green. This is a beautiful location all year round. Tunnel Springs is a VERY popular location and is often very busy, but sooo worth it.
GPS Location for Tunnel Springs
The Great Saltair: Magna, Utah
The Great Saltair is just off of I-80 east at the Great Salt Lake Marina State Park. When shooting at the Saltair the plan on getting dirty! The white, salty sand is messy and if you decide you want to shoot in the water it will be muddy. But, I promise you the mess and the mud is totally worth it! The sun sets very slowly here, so we’ll usually meet no more than an hour before sunset. This location is best in spring and fall – during the summer it gets a lot of mosquitos!
Greenhouses: Private Property
If you want greenery, but with an indoor option, greenhouses and flower farms are a great way to go! There are 2-3 available in Utah County and one in Salt Lake County that I love to go to. Its beautiful year round, the sun is perfectly diffused so a mid-day session is totally doable! An additional $50 shooting fee is required by the facilities.
Red Ledges: Spanish Fork Canyon
Can you even believe these red rocks are so close? The Red Ledges look so good throughout the year! It is a 20 minute drive through Spanish Fork Canyon, but is very easy to get to. The parking lot is right in front of the rocks. The ground is a pretty sandy, so wear shoes that you are okay with getting dirty.
