12.09.2012

Utah County Picture Locations

since i've had a rather difficult time in finding locations in Utah County to take pictures (not because there aren't any, but because i'm just not aware of them) i thought i'd make a list of places i've used, and share them so that anyone else having the same issue might find some help here.  as i've added, i've just tagged the post with UTAH COUNTY PICTURE LOCATIONS, so please be sure to click that link on the right side.

so, i give you:  UTAH COUNTY PICTURE LOCATIONS.  as i use more, and can provide shots of the locations i will continue to add to the post, so make sure you scroll to the bottom to see the new additions. i also may add some other areas, such as salt lake area, carbon county, and washington county as i become more familiar with those areas as well.

1.  spanish oaks walking trail near spanish oaks golf course (2300 e. powerhouse rd., spanish fork, ut).  not great in the summer because the river runs high enough that you can't get to this island, but in the fall / winter the river is low enough you can come down and it's really nice. 




 2.  salem pond, salem utah.  great big bridge, some docks, several grassy park areas. 



 







3.  american fork amphitheater, near the american fork temple (871 e. 700 n., american fork, ut)  stone amphitheater, grassy areas, stone steps.  nice variety.  busy...prepare to take turns with other photographers. 





4.  star mill, american fork (no surprise  here).  does cost money, $40 i think. (147 e. 600 n., american fork, utah)  great old barn, old equipment, beautiful tree lined street. 










5.  utah valley university campus (does require permission, and can't include anything identifiable as UVU) 800 w. university parkway, orem, utah.  very modern, and bright.  lots of different locations within the one area.  check with parking prior to coming to make any special arrangements as well. 





6.  bicenennial park in provo (1400 s. 1600 e., provo, utah).  green areas, trees, a little pond, and a great boardwalk.  watch out for the bugs though.  bring some spray.




7.  pleasant grove main street.  LOTS of textures.  brick, stone, colorfully painted walls.  usually not very busy with traffic even. 








8.  downtown alpine.  cabin looking building is the candy factory place, the bridge is near the school as you come into town.  field is there as well. 





9.  downtown payson.  again, a lot of textures to be up next to.  not too far from payson park, if you want some green in there as well. 







10.  hobble creek canyon, behind mapleton / springville, utah.  great park area, and just past the steel workers park, is where the barn is.  river runs through the area as well.  great fields in the fall / winter. side note:  this place has recently been turned into a frisbee golf park.  there are 2 issues with this, one; you have those weird chain baskets in places where i used to stick people, so they are in the way, and two, my experience with the people who play this game is that they are not tolerant of photographers, and do not like to share their space.  









11.  saratoga springs (there is a community here that has lakes and bridges, etc. to use).  downside is there is typically no way to get all the houses out of the shots, if you're zoomed out. 







12.  canyonview park, provo (up university avenue toward provo canyon on the left before you get to bridal veil falls).  green, rocks, big trees, river, bridge, and pavilions.  i believe this can be reserved for weddings, etc., so it may behoove you to check with parks and recreation prior to showing up with your clients. 










13:  the orchards at the utah state hospital in provo (near 7 peaks).  this area has a fee of $20 to get in, however; you get access to the orchards, the chapel, and the castle for that price.  this place is covered in photographers, so really be aware of whose picture you may be stepping into, and take turns.






14:  finally, the moment i've been waiting for.  i finally found the poppy field, and now you can too!  this is near lambert park in alpine.  you can't see it from the dirt road that you will take to get there, but the trail head is called poppy, so that might help you.  i didn't have a client for this shoot, but here are some photos that you might be able to imagine an adorable engaged couple or a bride, or a family, or whomever sitting in:








also, it was mid june when i was here, so you can see that many of the petals had already fallen off.  late may early june is the best time to use this area.  it's busy all nights of the week, so play nicely. 

15.  finally got to do some at the shops at riverwoods in provo.  i loved this place more than i can describe.  so many walls, textures, and fun stuff, with a grassy and tree filled park right at the end of it. it's perfect for those clients who can't figure out what type of feel they want to their photos.  this way they can get a bit of urban edge, and some traditional grass, tree, river stuff at the same time.





other place that i can think of but have not done yet are vivian park up provo canyon, provo library, byu campus, south fork park in provo canyon, and.... 

5 comments:

Jen said...

That was very helpful! Thanks for taking the time to share!

The Jackman Family said...

This is SO helpful, thank you so much! Where is the place you took the pictures at in Saratoga Springs, is it at a park??

Andrew Read APM (2010-2012) said...

Thank you! With the poppy field, is it far off the beaten path, or is it rather easy to find? Thanks!

Unknown said...

Very helpful thank you, thank you! I've been trying to find some cool places around here and didn't know where to begin, so I appreciate you posting this!

Unknown said...

It is people like you that make the world a better place. Thank you so much for sharing!