Deciding on Your Locatoin
Now that you have booked your session, we will need to start brainstorming about location ideas. I LOVE it when clients pick a location that is special or sentimental to them in some way! If you can't think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, I can help you decide on a location. As long as the light is great, I can make ANY location look awesome! I shoot at farms, campuses, downtown alleys and even at your own home! Do not shy away from unique ideas. The more creative, the better! Be sure to keep reading to find location suggestions and inspiration!
Three things I look for when location scouting
Public Land
Sunset
Shade + Open Sky
Approximately 63% of Idaho's expansive terrain is designated as public land, governed by various federal entities, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Notably, accessing BLM territories often involves fewer bureaucratic hurdles—such as permits and fees—compared to National/State Parks and private properties. I often use the OnXHunt app. Originally developed for hunters to locate prime hunting grounds, this tool proves invaluable for photographers by distinguishing between public and private lands and identifying their proprietors.
For capturing the glow of golden hour, it's crucial to anticipate the sun's trajectory. My strategy involves scouting locations where the sun might be obscured by trees to the west, with ample open sky to the east. This configuration allows for the diffusion of secondary light, which bathes my subjects in a soft, radiant glow, enhancing the natural beauty of their skin.
I'm particularly fond of sites offering expansive, unobstructed views, enabling me to harness the sun's dwindling light during the final 20-30 minutes before sunset. I check the elevation using Google Maps' terrain feature to avoid surprise obstructions like mountains.
Mountains & Lakes
Hills and mountains offer unparalleled vistas that captivate the eye and stir the soul. From the gentle undulations of rolling hills bathed in the soft light of dawn to the majestic peaks of towering mountains shrouded in the ethereal glow of sunset. Each location possesses its unique character, changing with the seasons and the time of day. Whether you're drawn to the tranquil beauty of a hillside adorned with wildflowers or the rugged grandeur of mountain landscapes, here are a few location ideas for your session:
Farragut State Park: Only 30 minutes from Coeur d’Alene, offers a mix of gentle hills, open meadows, forest, and rugged mountain peaks towering over shimmering Lake Pend Oreille. Its accessible trails lead to stunning natural backdrops and historic remnants, providing tranquil beauty and unique charm. With easy exploration and varied landscapes, it's an ideal location. Link
Tubbs Hill: Tubbs Hill, nestled next to downtown Coeur d'Alene, is a convenient spot for portrait sessions, offering a blend of forest, lake views, and unique rocky shorelines perfect for capturing the soft, golden light of sunset. Link
Blue Creek Bay: 736-acre Wallace Forest Conservation Area, offering small open meadows gently sloping down to the lake, filtered sunsets, 6 miles of trails, and just 20 minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene. Link
Images from left to right, starting from top: Farragut State Park 1-6. Tubbs Hill 7-9. Blue Creek Bay 10-12.
Rolling Hills & Dirt Road Adventures
Steptoe Butte State Park, nestled in the heart of the Palouse region of Washington, is just 1.5 hours from Coeur d’Alene. I'm pleased to offer sessions here without a travel fee, embracing not just the park but also the picturesque fields and dirt roads of the surrounding area. This approach ensures your gallery boasts a diverse and comprehensive visual narrative.
The park's crowning jewel is its quartzite butte, which towers above the Palouse's rolling hills, providing breathtaking panoramic views. However, it's important to note the ascent is steep, and the road can be daunting, with road restoration postponed to 2025. For sessions in 2024, I recommend we venture partway up on foot to make the most of this unique location without navigating the challenging road in its entirety. The full hike is 6 miles with an elevation gain of 925 feet, but a partial ascent will still capture the area's essence.
The landscape surrounding Steptoe Butte is adorned with gentle fields of wheat and barley. Their colors shift from vibrant greens to warm, golden tones with the seasons, offering a dynamic backdrop for photography. The optimal times for sessions are at sunrise or 2-3 hours before sunset, when the light casts a soft, enchanting glow. The vast skies and broad vistas lend a sense of majesty, while the minimalism of the Palouse hills provides a serene, uncluttered backdrop, ensuring your portraits are both grand and gracefully simple. Link
Public Gardens
Nestled in the heart of Spokane, the Gardens of Manito present a lush and enchanting backdrop for portrait sessions. The best part is there is no entrance fee and there is plenty of parking.
Gardens of Manito: 40 minutes from Coeur d’Alene, Manito Park in Spokane is a dream. It sprawls across 90 acres and includes six gardens. Duncan Gardens is a formal English Garden created in classical European Renaissance style. Ferris Garden consists of over 300 plant species. Rose Hill hold 150 varieties of roses. Lilac Garden contains over 23 distinct species. The Japanese Garden is the perfect place for a sunset session. Trees surround Mirror Pond, and it is a treat during the fall. Link
Joel E. Ferris Perennial Garden: Next to Manito! The perennials spring to life in May and June.
Other Location Ideas
Towns & Neighborhoods
~Downtown Coeur d’Alene
~Downtown Wallace
~Neighborhood walk in the Garden District
Cafes & Shops
~Coffee Shop
~Bakery
~Gelato
Parks & Farms
~Blooming fruit trees in April-May
~Coeur d’Alene City Park
~Local you pick farms
~Ramsey Park
~Riverstone Park
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