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Tag: Location Guide

Where to shoot — favorite spots and how to choose the right location.

  • 3 Days in Sydney: A Photographer’s Walk-Through

    3 Days in Sydney: A Photographer’s Walk-Through

    Three days is not enough time to “do” Sydney, so I didn’t try. I walked it, shot it early, and let the afternoons go slow. Here’s the exact route we took — useful if you’ve got a camera and roughly the same amount of time.

    Day 1 — The greatest hits, on foot

    Start at the Opera House, because you’re going to anyway, then walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge — the view back toward the sails is the one you think you’ve already seen a hundred times, and it still gets you. We carried on to Luna Park (the giant grinning face at the entrance is a gift to anyone holding a camera) and took the ferry back. Sydney is a harbor city; the ferry is not a tourist activity, it’s just the good way to travel, and it happens to hand you a moving viewpoint of the skyline for the price of a normal ticket.

    Day 2 — Bondi, slowly, then a sunset ferry

    Bondi Beach in the morning, a long unhurried breakfast, then the Bondi coastal walk — cliffs, pools, and more joggers in better shape than you. In the evening we went out to the Watson Bay lighthouse, then timed the ferry back for sunset so we’d catch the Opera House as the light went. That’s the move I’d repeat: don’t shoot the Opera House at midday with everyone else. Let the ferry deliver it to you at golden hour instead.

    Day 3 — The one photograph, then actually relax

    I got up before sunrise and walked to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the dark. That’s where the Opera House image I sell comes from — the tile detail up top, the part we stop seeing because we’re so used to the whole building. (The full pre-dawn story is its own post: Greetings From Sydney.) After that, we let the day off the leash — over to Manly Beach to just hang out. We’d talked about a scuba dive and skipped it; the water was cold and, honestly, sometimes you’d rather enjoy the trip than white-knuckle a dive you’ll spend all morning dreading. Dinner was in Chinatown, street tables, the most attentive service of the whole trip.

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    A note on how Sydney feels

    We’d just come off a run of trips through Asia, and Sydney hit differently — so Western, so familiar, that it made the world feel small for a minute. A huge, buzzing city on the far side of the planet that could almost be home. Worth knowing going in: it’s an easy city to love, not a hard one to decode.

    Where to point the camera (the short list)

    Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at sunrise, the bridge walk looking back at the sails, the sunset ferry, and Luna Park’s face for something with a little humor in it. Shoot the details, not just the postcard — that’s usually where the actual photograph is hiding.

    Speaking of postcards: the Opera House detail became Greetings From Sydney in the Postcards Collection, if you’d like the small version of a place you may or may not make it to. Start there.

    — Preston

  • Fall Family Photos in Utah: The Complete Guide

    Fall Family Photos in Utah: The Complete Guide

    There’s a two- or three-week window every fall when Utah’s canyons turn gold, the light goes soft and warm, and everything looks like it was made for a family photo. It’s my favorite time of year to shoot — and if you want your family on a wall (or this year’s holiday card) looking like that, a little planning goes a long way.

    Here’s everything I’d tell you over coffee before a fall session: when to go, where to point us, and what to wear so you all look like yourselves — just the golden-hour version.

    When to book: chasing Utah’s fall color

    Utah’s fall color is worth chasing, but it doesn’t wait around. Up in the higher canyons — Park City, the Cottonwoods, Provo Canyon — the aspens usually peak from late September into mid-October. Down in the valley, the color hangs on a week or two longer. Weather nudges it earlier or later every year, so the move is to book early and stay a little flexible: I keep an eye on the canyons and we pick the moment.

    One more reason to plan ahead — fall weekends fill fast, and golden hour creeps earlier as the season goes. The families who reach out in late summer get the best pick of dates and light.

    Where to shoot: my favorite fall family spots

    These are the places I come back to for fall families — a mix of full-on aspen-and-mountain drama and easy, kid-friendly options where nobody has to hike. (For the full list with addresses, fees, and a spot for every vibe, see my guide to choosing the perfect Utah location.)

    For the aspens and mountain color

    • Aspen Grove, Provo Canyon — dense golden aspens and dreamy late light. Hard to beat for classic fall family photos.
    • Guardsman Pass, Park City — alpine overlooks and iconic fall aspens up high; big, cinematic color.
    • Tibble Fork Reservoir, American Fork Canyon — a mountain lake with easy access and dramatic peaks behind you.
    • Silver Lake at Brighton, Big Cottonwood Canyon — a flat boardwalk loop around an alpine lake: the mountain look without the hike (great with little ones or grandparents along).
    • Jordan Pines, Big Cottonwood Canyon — forested and creekside with soft light; my go-to when there are toddlers in the mix.
    • Logan Canyon (First Dam), Logan — water, mountains, and some of the best fall color in the state (a travel fee applies up here).

    For easy access, close to the city

    • Memory Grove, Salt Lake City — tree-lined paths and soft greenery minutes from downtown.
    • Tunnel Springs Park, North Salt Lake — rolling hills and sweeping valley views at sunset.
    • Antelope Island — big sky and golden light when you want something wide and cinematic (state-park fee).

    What to wear: the fall family edition

    This is the question I get most, so here’s the short version: wear things you’d actually wear, in colors that belong in an autumn landscape. A few rules of thumb that make a family look pulled-together without looking like a matching set:

    Comfort first

    Pick clothes you already feel like yourself in. A shoot is not the day to break in a stiff new outfit — if you’re tugging at a collar or the kids are itchy, it shows. Comfortable people photograph better, every single time.

    Dress for the season (and the elevation)

    Fall in the canyons is gorgeous and cold once the sun drops. Lean into it: layers are your friend — jackets, cardigans, chunky knits, scarves, a good hat. They add cozy texture to the photos and keep everyone happy between frames.

    Build an earthy palette

    Autumn does the color work for you. Aim for neutrals and earthy tones — cream, oatmeal, rust, mustard, olive, camel, deep denim. Softer versions of colors read better than bright primaries, which tend to pull the eye away from your faces. Think ochre instead of orange, sky blue instead of electric blue.

    Complement — don’t match

    The old “everyone in white shirts and jeans” trick turns a family into one blurry blob — you can’t tell where one person ends and the next begins. Instead, keep the whole family to about four colors and let them play together. Pick one person to wear a feature piece — say, mom in a rust dress — and dress everyone else in tones that complement it. Variety in color, texture, and layers is what makes a family photo sing.

    Go easy on logos and loud patterns

    Big logos and busy prints fight your faces for attention (and date a photo fast). If you love a pattern, keep it subtle and limit it to one person — a soft flannel or a small floral, not head-to-toe print.

    Shoes you can actually walk in

    We’ll be on uneven ground more often than not, so skip anything you can’t move in. Boots are perfect for the mountains and look great in fall — save the heels for the ballroom. Happy feet make for a happier session.

    Still stuck? Bring two options per person and we’ll figure it out on the day. When you book, I’ll send my full fall wardrobe cheat-sheet — and you can always browse my what-to-wear guide for outdoor family photos for more.

    Keeping it easy with the kids

    If your main worry is whether the kids will melt down — I’ve got you. My sessions are loose and play-based; we keep it moving, keep it fun, and let the real moments happen instead of forcing everyone to say “cheese.” (I wrote up my honest on-set tricks in how to keep kids happy during family photos.)

    Let’s plan your fall session

    Fall books up fast and the color window is short — if you want your family in the aspens this year, now’s the time to grab a date. Tell me the vibe you’re after and roughly where you’re based, and I’ll help you pick the perfect spot and the best light.

    Book your fall family session →

    — Preston

  • A Photographer’s Guide to New Zealand’s South Island (Where to Point the Camera)

    A Photographer’s Guide to New Zealand’s South Island (Where to Point the Camera)

    We spent the better part of a week working our way across New Zealand’s South Island with the cameras out the entire time. Here’s the route we actually took, and — more useful for you — where the light genuinely earned its keep. Consider it the guide I wish I’d had, written by someone who was cold and standing in most of these spots.

    First, a warning.

    Getting in: the Queenstown airport will test your nerves

    Queenstown’s airport is tucked between mountains, and the wind has opinions. Our plane got within about fifty feet of the ground twice — once from each direction of the runway — aborted both times, and then simply gave up and flew us to Christchurch for the night. So: book a flexible fare, keep your expectations loose, and maybe have a Christchurch dinner spot in your back pocket. (Ours was Kaiser Brew Garden in Riverside Market. You’re welcome.)

    Queenstown & Arrowtown — your base

    Queenstown is the hub. Ride the Skyline gondola up at dusk for the town-and-lake view (the go-karts at the top are non-negotiable, for research purposes). Then give Arrowtown a full slow day — rent bikes and ride out through the countryside to the wineries. If you can time it for autumn color, do; the whole valley turns.

    • Queenstown and Arrowtown in autumn, New Zealand's South Island
    • Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's South Island

    Milford Sound — go even if it’s raining. Especially if it’s raining.

    We were supposed to fly back from Milford and got rained out, so we bused. Best accident of the trip: the rain turns the cliff faces into hundreds of temporary waterfalls you’d never see on a clear day. Take the boat. Get soaked. Worth it.

    • Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand
    • Milford Sound after rain, Fiordland, New Zealand
    • Milford Sound waterfalls, Fiordland, New Zealand

    Blue Pools & Haast Pass — glacial blue, and then some

    The Blue Pools are an easy, gorgeous stop — that impossible glacial color. And if you’re willing to get cold and a little lost past Haast Pass, there’s more back there than the pull-offs suggest. (That one turned into its own story.)

    • The Blue Pools near Haast Pass, New Zealand — glacial-blue water
    • Haast Pass, New Zealand's South Island

    The Wanaka Tree & Lake Pukaki — the postcard blues

    The lone Wanaka Tree is the most photographed tree in the country, so shoot it at first light or blue hour unless you enjoy other people’s tripods in your frame. Just up the road, Lake Pukaki’s glacial blue barely looks real; a roadside viewpoint does the whole job.

    • The Wanaka Tree and Lake Pukaki area, New Zealand's South Island

    Mt John Observatory & Lake Tekapo — save the overcast day for this

    Climb to the Mt John observatory for the big-sky view over Tekapo (ours was a last-minute call and immediately worth it). Down on the lakeshore is the Church of the Good Shepherd — a tiny stone church against all that openness. An overcast sky is a gift here, not a setback.

    • Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps from Mt John, New Zealand
    • Lake Tekapo, New Zealand's South Island

    The train + the ferry — shoot the coast, watch the weather

    The Christchurch → Picton train (spring for first class; you’ll be wined and dined past open-air coastal views) hands you the South Island’s coastline on a plate. Then the ferry across the Cook Strait to the North Island — smooth for us, and the last one to make it across for a couple of days as the weather turned. Check the forecast, and don’t dawdle.

    • The South Island coast from the Christchurch–Picton train, New Zealand
    • The Cook Strait ferry crossing, New Zealand

    The prints

    A lot of these stops came home as photographs, and several are becoming prints in the shop. If you’re just starting a wall, start with a postcard. That’s how every collection starts.

    — Preston

    Shop the New Zealand collection

  • The Most Romantic Engagement Photo Locations in Utah

    The Most Romantic Engagement Photo Locations in Utah

    Utah offers some of the most dramatic engagement photo locations in the country — if you know where to go.

    From alpine lakes and mountain meadows to desert cliffs and quiet salt flats, Utah’s landscapes create an incredible backdrop for engagement photography.

    The right location does more than look beautiful in photographs. It sets the tone for the entire session—whether that means adventurous, peaceful, dramatic, or intimate.

    Choosing a location that reflects your personality as a couple helps the photos feel authentic and meaningful.

    Here are some of the most romantic engagement photo locations across Utah.

    Big Cottonwood Canyon

    For couples who love mountain scenery, Big Cottonwood Canyon offers some of the most versatile engagement photo locations near Salt Lake City.

    Tall pine forests, winding rivers, and alpine lakes create a peaceful atmosphere that feels far removed from the city.

    During summer and early fall, wildflowers and soft mountain light make the canyon especially beautiful for evening sessions.

    The canyon also offers several easily accessible spots, making it perfect for couples who want dramatic scenery without a long hike.

    Antelope Island

    Few places in Utah feel as expansive and cinematic as Antelope Island.

    Surrounded by the Great Salt Lake, the island offers wide-open landscapes, rolling hills, and breathtaking sunsets.

    The light here can be extraordinary, especially as the sun reflects off the water and the sky begins to glow.

    The island’s quiet, open spaces also create a sense of intimacy that works beautifully for engagement portraits.

    Albion Basin

    High in the Wasatch Mountains, Albion Basin is one of the most iconic summer photo locations in Utah.

    In July and August, wildflowers blanket the mountainsides, creating colorful alpine meadows that feel almost surreal.

    Couples who want a dreamy, romantic mountain setting often fall in love with this location.

    Because of its elevation and natural beauty, Albion Basin is particularly stunning during golden hour.

    The Bonneville Salt Flats

    For couples drawn to minimalist landscapes, the Bonneville Salt Flats offer a completely unique engagement photo experience.

    The endless white surface creates a surreal environment where sky and earth blend together.

    At sunrise or sunset, the reflections and open space create incredibly dramatic images.

    This location works especially well for couples who want something bold, artistic, and a little unconventional.

    Utah Lake Shorelines

    For a softer and more relaxed atmosphere, Utah Lake offers beautiful shoreline locations with tall grasses, warm sunset light, and open water views.

    The lake’s calm environment can create a peaceful, romantic feeling during sessions.

    Because the shoreline areas are spacious and quiet, couples often feel comfortable interacting naturally without the distraction of crowds.

    Alpine Meadows and Open Fields

    Some of the most romantic engagement sessions happen in simple natural landscapes.

    Utah’s open fields and alpine meadows offer soft light, wide views, and space to move naturally.

    These locations are especially beautiful during late summer and early fall when grasses turn warm golden tones.

    The simplicity of the environment helps keep the focus on the connection between the couple.

    Choosing the Right Location for Your Engagement Photos

    While Utah offers countless beautiful locations, the best choice often depends on the experience you want during your session.

    Some couples are drawn to:

    • mountain scenery and alpine lakes
    • desert landscapes and dramatic cliffs
    • quiet open fields
    • lakes and water reflections

    The goal is to choose a location that feels authentic to your relationship and comfortable for your session.

    If you’re preparing for an upcoming session, you may also enjoy reading:

    ➡ How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session (Without Feeling Awkward in Front of the Camera)

    A Location That Feels Like You

    Engagement photos are about more than scenery.

    The best images capture the connection between two people during an exciting moment in their lives.

    When the location feels right and the atmosphere is relaxed, the experience becomes less about posing and more about simply spending time together.

    And those natural moments are often the ones couples treasure most.

    Next step

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    Share your preferred dates, location ideas, and who will be included. I will respond with availability and a clear plan for your session.

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  • How to Choose the Perfect Utah Location for Family Photos

    How to Choose the Perfect Utah Location for Family Photos

    Choosing a location is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your photo session — and in Utah, you’re spoiled for choice.

    From alpine lakes and mountain forests to modern architecture and dramatic desert landscapes, Utah offers some of the most diverse photography backdrops in the country. Whether you’re planning family photos, engagement portraits, or a personal branding session, this guide will help you find a location that matches the look, mood, and energy you want in your final images.

    As a Utah photographer, these are the locations I recommend most often — organized by vibe, so you can quickly narrow down what feels right for you.

    🌲 Mountain & Forest Locations (Romantic + Timeless)

    Guardsman Pass — Park City

    Description: Alpine overlooks, wildflowers, and iconic fall aspens.

    Address: Guardsman Pass Rd, Park City, UT 84060

    Fees: Seasonal parking fee may apply.

    Best for: Engagements, adventurous couples, fall sessions

    Aspen Grove — Provo Canyon

    Description: Dense aspen groves with dreamy golden-hour light.

    Address: 9521 Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Provo, UT 84604

    Fees: Canyon access fee may apply seasonally.

    Best for: Families, maternity, couples

    Tibble Fork Reservoir — American Fork Canyon

    Description: Mountain lake with dramatic peaks and easy access.

    Address: American Fork Canyon, UT 84003

    Fees: Day-use canyon fee required.

    Best for: Families, engagements, sunrise sessions

    Jordan Pines — Big Cottonwood Canyon

    Description: Forested creekside location with soft light and easy access.

    Address: FR 632, Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT 84121

    Fees: None typically required.

    Best for: Families with young children

    Silver Lake at Brighton Resort — Big Cottonwood Canyon

    Description: Alpine lake with a scenic boardwalk and evergreen forest — mountain feel without the hike.

    Address: 8073 S Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Brighton, UT 84121

    Fees: None typically required; parking can fill quickly.

    Best for: Families, engagements, maternity, easy-access mountain portraits

    Logan Canyon (First Dam Area)

    Description: Water, mountain backdrops, and incredible fall color.

    Address: Canyon Rd, Logan, UT 84321

    Fees: None.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Seniors, families, couples

    Ogden Canyon

    Description: Dramatic canyon walls with evergreen scenery.

    Address: Ogden Canyon Rd, Ogden, UT 84401

    Fees: None.

    Best for: Adventure-inspired portraits

    🏛️ Urban & Architecture Locations (Modern + Editorial)

    Utah State Capitol — Salt Lake City

    Description: Marble architecture and elegant symmetry.

    Address: 350 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

    Fees: No photography fee.

    Best for: Engagements, formal portraits, bridals

    Cathedral of the Madeline — Salt Lake City

    Description: Gothic architecture and ornate details.

    Address: 309 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

    Fees: Indoor sessions may require permission or fee.

    Best for: Editorial couples sessions

    Downtown Provo

    Description: Historic buildings and urban textures.

    Address: Center St, Provo, UT

    Fees: None.

    Best for: Seniors, branding, couples

    Ogden Historic 25th Street

    Description: Vintage brick streets and urban charm.

    Address: Historic 25th St, Ogden, UT 84401

    Fees: None.

    Best for: Stylish portraits

    Provo City Library

    Description: Historic architecture with timeless arches.

    Address: 550 N University Ave, Provo, UT 84601

    Fees: No fee (check current policies).

    Best for: Engagements and classic portraits

    🌅 Open Landscape & Big Sky Locations (Minimal + Cinematic)

    Great Saltair — Magna

    Description: Iconic lakeside structure and dramatic sunsets.

    Address: 12408 W Saltair Dr, Magna, UT 84044

    Fees: Small parking/entry fee may apply.

    Best for: Couples, artistic portraits

    Antelope Island State Park

    Description: Vast lake views and roaming wildlife.

    Address: 4528 W 1700 S, Syracuse, UT 84075

    Fees: State park entrance fee required.

    Best for: Families, golden-hour sessions

    Little Sahara Sand Dunes — Nephi

    Description: Clean sand tones and minimalist landscapes.

    Address: 27020 W Sand Mountain Rd, Nephi, UT 84648

    Fees: Entry fee required.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Engagements, artistic portraits

    Bonneville Salt Flats

    Description: Endless white landscape with surreal reflections after rain.

    Address: I-80 Exit 4 near Wendover, UT

    Fees: None.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Editorial or destination-style sessions

    Spiral Jetty

    Description: Iconic earth artwork with minimalist surroundings.

    Address: Near Corinne, UT 84307

    Fees: No fee.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Fine-art inspired sessions

    🌿 Easy-Access Nature & Park Locations (Family Friendly)

    Memory Grove — Salt Lake City

    Description: Tree-lined paths and soft greenery downtown.

    Address: 300 N Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

    Fees: No fee.

    Best for: Families, lifestyle sessions

    Tunnel Springs Park — North Salt Lake

    Description: Rolling hills with sweeping valley views.

    Address: 1080 Eaglepointe Dr, North Salt Lake, UT 84054

    Fees: No fee.

    Best for: Families, maternity

    Thanksgiving Point Gardens — Lehi

    Description: Curated gardens and seasonal blooms.

    Address: 3900 N Garden Dr, Lehi, UT 84043

    Fees: Photography permit/entrance fee required; closed Sundays.

    Best for: Families, spring sessions

    Ogden Botanical Gardens

    Description: Floral gardens with colorful backdrops.

    Address: 1750 Monroe Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401

    Fees: None typically required.

    Best for: Family portraits

    🧱 Indoor & Studio Options (Weather-Proof + Modern)

    Studio Elevn — Salt Lake City

    Description: Industrial studio with natural light.

    Address: Salt Lake City, UT (by reservation)

    Fees: Studio rental fee required.

    Best for: Branding, couples, modern portraits

    White Space Studios — Bountiful / Provo

    Description: Minimalist white interiors and clean aesthetic.

    Address: Bountiful & Provo, UT

    Fees: Rental fee required; reservation needed.

    Best for: Families, newborns, modern portraits

    Wild Willow Studio — Park City

    Description: Neutral tones and soft light.

    Address: Park City, UT

    Fees: Rental fee required.

    Best for: Lifestyle portraits

    Kings Peak Coffee Roasters — Salt Lake City

    Description: Industrial café atmosphere with warm textures.

    Address: Salt Lake City, UT

    Fees: Must coordinate with business; possible fee.

    Best for: Lifestyle and couples sessions

    🔥 Southern Utah & Adventure Sessions (Epic + Bold)

    Snow Canyon State Park — Ivins

    Description: Red and white sandstone with dramatic contrast.

    Address: 1002 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738

    Fees: State park entrance fee.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Engagements, elopements

    Sand Hollow State Park — Hurricane

    Description: Red rock meets vibrant blue water.

    Address: 3351 Sand Hollow Rd, Hurricane, UT 84737

    Fees: State park entrance fee.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Adventure portraits

    Moab (Arches & Canyonlands)

    Description: Iconic desert landscapes and massive scenery.

    Address: Moab, UT 84532

    Fees: National park entrance fees required.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Destination-style sessions

    Capitol Reef National Park — Torrey

    Description: Epic terrain with fewer crowds.

    Address: Torrey, UT 84775

    Fees: National park entrance fee.

    Travel Fee: Travel fee applies

    Best for: Couples and adventurous families

    📌 A Quick Note About Fees & Travel

    Some locations require entrance fees, permits, or studio rentals. These are paid directly to the venue and help preserve these beautiful spaces.

    For locations more than 60 miles from West Valley City, a travel fee applies to cover drive time and logistics — I’ll always confirm this up front so there are no surprises.

    Ready to Plan Your Session?

    If this guide helped you picture your session, you’re already halfway there. Tell me the vibe you’re drawn to — mountains, city, or desert — and I’ll help you choose the perfect location and timing for the best possible light.

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