When I book a person or couple for a session I often ask them, “do you have any ideas where you would like to shoot?” Some have a look that they want, some have seen a friends pictures that they liked, some well have no clue (and that’s ok!) So I thought I would do a blog post with some ideas of locations with links to galleries so you can get a help picking a great location for your next shoot!
Downtown is such a fun and very diverse location, I usually will meet you at a location and we will walk around downtown and all of the fun hidden alley ways and secret spots that I have found while shooting downtown. Go and check out this gallery to see some more downtown locations.
Since downtown has soo many options I am breaking down info specific locations. Let’s looks at Mission Mill first. They have beautiful red barns and white buildings and it has a great vintage feel to your shoot. NOTE they are closes on Sundays and if they are having a wedding or event, so you are a little limited when you can shoot, and you might want to call ahead. Here is a wedding to check out at Mission Mill so see some of the buildings.
Deepwoods I think is one of my favorites due to the versatility of the property! It has vintage buildings, beautiful flowers and plants to accent your photos, and even a creek in the back of the property! It is one of my go-to locations for seniors and it makes for the most beautiful weddings !!! The front door is facing mission street looking at the hospital but the parking lot is on 12th and Lee street and is a hidden gem in the city!! Heads up, if there is an event scheduled or going on, they do close the grounds to outside visitors, but they do a great job at keeping up their calendar. Here is a senior session at Deepwoods so you can see more of the beautiful location.
Right around the corner is Bush Park, it borders Willamette University and it has very large area (according to the internet 90+acres) , it hosts the art fair, it has a great playground and vintage house and a gorgeous rose garden. It has multiple parking lots (so make sure you are specific where to meet someone) they also have a famous owl that will attack you if you walk by it during breading season. Why is it famous? a few of the breweries around town have even names beers after the “angry owl” and the attacks go as far back as 2015 and have even made the news! Here is a senior gallery so you can see more beautiful options.
My next location is one that you will need to bring your walking shoes for! Minto Brown is over 1200 acres and is now linked by a walking bridge to downtown Salem also. It has tall grass, water, downed trees (great for sitting on), lots of trees for shade, a dog park and playground for kids. It really has so many options for a families, engagements, seniors, and even maternity shoots ! Here is a family session so you can see some more options.
Locations outside of Salem are ever expanding!! As I am writing this, I know that I have already forgotten some locations that will need to make another post!
Lets look at Pioneer Park in Stayton, this location is a great location if it rains! It has a covered bridge, walking bridge, lots of trees, and trails. This is a go-to for me a lot because it has sooo many options!! Here is a link to a family session so you can see more of the park!
The next location is such a beautiful location, there are a few options so I hope the photos do it justice because it’s very expansive! Let’s go look at Silverton! It is a sleepy little town that has some gorgeous vintage houses, great parks, and of course the trail of 10 falls at Silvercreek State Park. Just a heads up if you go here, get a parking pass or state park pass or you will get a ticket! Here is an engagement session that I know you will love!
If you are looking for a mountain feel close to town check out Mill City. This summer this town was in surrounded by fire and yes this location made it through the fires!!
Well, I think I will gather more locations and save it for another day ! I hope you found this helpful, and I hope to find you in front of my camera for my next blog post!!! Don’t forget to sign up for email notifications of new post~ see ya next time!
