Outdoor Location Recommendations for your next session in the Boise and Surrounding areas.
- Katherine Chavez
- Mar 16, 2023
- 10 min read
Updated: May 1
Choosing the right location is a crucial step in planning your photo session. The backdrop sets the tone, complements your style, and adds depth to your images. Whether you're envisioning a vibrant urban scene, a serene natural setting, or something uniquely personal, I'm here to guide you through the options to find the perfect spot that resonates with your vision.
Being an Idaho Native and in the photography industry for many years, I have had the luxury of discovering some of the most lovely locations that I think are best when it comes to outdoor portraits. Below you will find Styles of locations options and detailed of each location with example photos.
Styles of Locations available in and around Boise Idaho
🌿 Nature & Parks
Boise boasts a plethora of natural locations that offer stunning backdrops. These spots are especially beautiful during golden hour, providing that soft, flattering light.
🌆 Urban & Architectural
If you're drawn to a more modern or edgy aesthetic, consider these urban settings. Urban locations are versatile and can add a contemporary flair to your photos.
🌸 Gardens & Floral Settings
For those who love vibrant colors and floral backdrops. These locations are particularly enchanting in spring and early summer when flowers are in full bloom.
🌄 Scenic & Sunset Spots
To capture the magic of Boise's natural beauty during sunset. These spots are ideal for creating dramatic and memorable images.
🌊 Water Spots
If you or your loved ones are drawn to nature and want a location that feels calm, organic, and a little adventurous, these water featuring locations might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Things to consider:
🌞🌇 Timing & Lighting
The time of day plays a big role in the mood and overall look of your photos:
🌞 Morning Sessions: Usually around 8:00–8:30 AM, with soft light and cooler temperatures—perfect for a fresh, airy feel.
🌇 Evening Sessions: Typically between 7:45–8:00 PM, catching that warm, golden glow just before sunset.
💡 Studio Sessions: Controlled lighting allows for flexibility and can be scheduled between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Choosing the right time ensures the best lighting for your vision and I’ll help guide you to the perfect fit based on the season, location, and style you're going for.
💼 Access Fees, Travel, & Accessibility
Some locations may require permits, entrance fees, or involve travel considerations:
Entrance & Permit Fees: Certain parks or private properties may require a photography permit or general admission fee.
Travel Fees: For sessions located outside the Boise area, a small travel fee may apply. I'm happy to provide an estimate based on your chosen location.
Accessibility: It’s important to ensure the location works for everyone in your group—considering parking, walking distance, and terrain.
Don’t worry, I’ll help guide you through all the logistics so we can keep the planning process simple and stress-free.
Detailed Location Recommendations
The Military Reserve in Boise - A Fan Favorite! 🌄🌿
Calling all Boho lovers, this location is a dream! Nestled within the stunning landscapes of Boise, the Military Reserve offers a variety of backdrops throughout the year, each more magical than the last.
In the spring, the park is lush with vibrant green grasses and wild sunflowers that create a soft, whimsical vibe. As you walk in, you'll be greeted by a beautiful canopy of trees, offering the perfect natural shade for a serene atmosphere.
During summer and fall, the grasses turn a rich golden yellow, providing a warm, sun-kissed backdrop that adds a stunning glow to any session. There are trails winding through the trees, leading us to rolling hills and quiet, peaceful spots.
Feeling a bit adventurous? We can take a short hike to the top of the hill, where you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of Boise and the surrounding foothills. It’s the perfect place to capture wide, expansive portraits that will leave you speechless.
Kathryn Albertson Park in Boise - Most Popular Year Round! 🌿🌸🌊
Kathryn Albertson Park has undergone an amazing transformation in recent years, and it’s become one of my favorite spots to shoot! The park now embraces natural grasses and wildflowers, which create such a stunning, organic vibe throughout the year.
In spring and summer, the wildflowers add pops of color and beauty to every frame, while the lush greenery surrounding the park gives it a dreamy, serene feel. As the seasons change, the trees and shrubs provide rich textures and vibrant colors—especially in the fall, when the hues are truly magazine-worthy!
Even in the winter months, the park still shines with the lovely birch trees and evergreens, offering a crisp, peaceful backdrop perfect for winter sessions.
River Side in Eagle - Two sides of the river with different looks 🌿🌊
Looking for water in your photos? This is the perfect spot! The River Side in Eagle offers two unique settings, each with its own charm.
On one side of the highway, you'll find sandy shores lined with towering trees, tall grasses, and a flowing river right beside you. This side is perfect for extended family sessions, with large fallen logs that serve as natural seating. The peaceful river and beautiful scenery create a tranquil, rustic atmosphere.
On the other side of the highway, we have a shore made up of large white rocks. While there are some trees and shrubs here, the vibe is much more open and airy, making for a different, but equally stunning, look.
Be aware that in the spring, this location can flood as the river rises. I typically take a break from shooting here between April and May until the water recedes and the area becomes accessible again.
Hulls Gulch – A Hidden Gem in the Foothills 🌿🌄
Nestled at the base of the Boise Foothills, Hulls Gulch offers a beautiful and diverse landscape that feels both wild and intimate. With its winding dirt trails, natural rock formations, sagebrush, and tall grasses, this location provides a truly organic Idaho backdrop and it has easy access so no having to hike about. In the spring, you’ll find bursts of green and wildflowers dotting the landscape, while late summer and fall bring warm golden tones and dramatic foothill shadows. The area is perfect for clients looking for a rustic, earthy vibe with sweeping views and a touch of adventure.
There are a variety of trailheads and scenic pockets to explore, making it ideal for more natural lifestyle sessions, especially for couples, families, and seniors who enjoy being out in nature. Because it’s close to downtown but feels tucked away, Hulls Gulch is a favorite for those wanting a location that captures Idaho’s raw beauty without traveling too far.
Blossom Tress, Marsing, Idaho - Available during the Spring 🌿🌸
Travel Fee Applies – $50 (30 miles from Boise)
The stunning fruit trees in Marsing offer a breathtaking bloom of pink and white blossoms, creating a truly magical backdrop for your photos. These blossoms are a special treat, as they only last for a short window of time each spring. Typically, the blossoms are at their peak from mid-April to mid-May, depending on how warm the weather has been.
This location is perfect for those looking for a soft, romantic spring vibe with the natural beauty of flowering trees as the centerpiece.
Apple Orchards, Emmett, Idaho - Perfect during Fall time 🌿
Travel Fee Applies – $50 (38 miles from Boise)
Apple picking and photos—what’s not to love? This charming orchard in Emmett is the perfect place for a fun, family-friendly session. The owners are incredibly welcoming, and the orchard features a variety of apple trees to explore.
The apples are at their best from late August to early October, making it the ideal spot for a fall photo session. While you’re there, don’t miss out on their delicious, freshly made apple cider!
Bruneau Sand Dunes, Bruneau, Idaho - Like you're in another world 🌄
Travel Fee Applies – $100 (67 miles from Boise)
Park Entrance Fee Applies
Yes, sand dunes in Idaho! This location feels like stepping into a completely different world. The vast, sweeping dunes offer a uniquely romantic and dramatic backdrop for your session. While it does take a bit of effort to hike to the top, the stunning views and the beauty of the sand make it absolutely worth it.
Be prepared for sand EVERYWHERE, so it’s best suited for those who don’t mind a little adventure. I wouldn’t recommend this location for very young children, as it can be a bit challenging. It’s also quite hot in the summer, so I typically schedule sessions here in the early morning hours, rather than the usual evening times, to avoid the heat.
Swan Falls Dam, Murphy, Idaho - Those Views Though! 🌄
Travel Fee Applies – $50 (36 miles from Boise)
This location is like something straight out of a movie! Tucked away in the desert just past Kuna, Idaho, Swan Falls Dam is set against a massive canyon of lava rock, with the natural beauty of tall grasses, sagebrush, and, occasionally, wildflowers.
Down in the canyon, we have the river with dock access, and massive boulders perfect for climbing and capturing stunning photos from the top. The views here are absolutely breathtaking.
The old powerhouse at the site is now a museum, open to the public Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from April 15 to Labor Day.
Mores Creek- Just past Lucky Peak 🌄🌊
Travel Fee Applies – $50 (23 miles from Boise)
Nestled just outside of Boise, Mores Creek offers a serene escape surrounded by lush greenery, towering evergreens, and picturesque streams. This tranquil location is perfect for maternity or family sessions, with its stunning natural beauty and a variety of textures—from smooth rocks to gently flowing water.
Whether you're looking to capture moments among the foliage or enjoy a beautiful sunset by the creek, Mores Creek provides the ideal backdrop for creating lasting memories with your loved ones.
Jump Creek Falls, Marsing, Idaho - Waterfall! Need I say more? 🌄🌊
Travel Fee Applies – $75 (43 miles from Boise)
Waterfall! What more could you want? This beautiful location is tucked away in Marsing, Idaho, and it’s worth every step of the journey. It’s about a 1/3 mile walk to the falls, and along the way, we can stop for stunning photos beside the rocky trailside, with water birch and dogwood trees surrounding us.
Be prepared to get wet! There’s a natural pool below the falls that's perfect for a little splash, so make sure to bring a change of clothes.
In the summertime, this spot is a local favorite, so I often try to avoid peak heat hours to avoid crowds. Too many photo bombers can take away from the serene vibe, but with a little timing, we can still make it work!
Reid Merrill Park, Eagle, Idaho - Water, trails, trees 🌿🌊
This charming park is nestled in the heart of Eagle, near the Greenbelt. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a quaint brown bridge, with mature trees surrounding the area, offering a peaceful and natural setting.
The landscape is rich with beautiful foliage, making it an ideal spot for photos. A stroll down the Greenbelt leads us to a large red bridge that crosses the river, where dirt pathways are shaded by mature trees. From there, we can walk along the river’s edge, and even dip our toes in for some lovely water shots.
Shafer Butte- Above Bogus Basin - Open Mid June to Late September 🌄🌿
Travel Fee Applies – $50 (23 miles from Boise)
Located atop the scenic Boise Ridge Mountains near the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, Shafer Butte sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The drive from the bottom of Bogus Basin Road to the top takes about 45 minutes to an hour—it's a winding journey, but well worth the trek!
At the top, we’ll find a lush Idaho forest filled with pine and birch trees, offering breathtaking mountain views that make for a truly magical backdrop.
The Boise Train Depot 🌆🌊
The Boise Train Depot is a popular location for all types of portraits and events. The stunning Spanish-style architecture is complemented by a beautiful outdoor garden, making it a perfect spot for photos. There’s a peaceful pond with waterfalls, unique rock formations, benches for relaxation, and the famous City View.
The Depot building is open to the public on Sundays and Mondays from 11 AM to 5 PM and is free to enter, offering both indoor and outdoor photo opportunities.
Wilsons Creek Park - Nampa, Idaho 🌿🌊
Wilsons Creek Park is a hidden gem in Nampa, offering a serene, natural setting just a short drive from Boise. This 12.5-acre neighborhood park features walking trails, open play areas, and a tranquil Creekside environment, making it ideal for relaxed, nature-filled photo sessions
A notable feature of the park is its grove of dusty green, olive-like trees, which create a lovely canopy, perfect for framing your photos with soft, dappled light. The surrounding tall grasses and the gentle flow of Wilson Creek add to the park's charm, offering a variety of textures and natural beauty for your session.
Downtown Boise - Classic & Retro, works year-round 🌆
If you're looking for an urban vibe for your photos, Downtown Boise offers a variety of options with its unique mix of vintage charm and modern style. The area is full of beautiful walkways and alleyways lined with vintage brick and woodwork, providing a perfect blend of textures and colors for your photos. Throughout the city, we can also explore hidden gems like vibrant graffiti walls and murals, including those at Freak Alley, one of the largest open-air mural galleries in the Northwest.
For a mix of urban and natural elements, the nearby Boise River Greenbelt adds a scenic contrast to the city streets, offering a change in scenery with its tranquil surroundings. To wrap up your session, we can head to a parking garage rooftop for stunning views of the city skyline, where we can capture the beauty of the city during golden hour.
Downtown Boise is accessible year-round and provides a versatile backdrop for photos no matter the season.
Let’s Find Your Perfect Location!
I hope this curated list of my favorite local locations has inspired you and helped you envision the perfect backdrop for your upcoming session. From serene nature spots to vibrant urban settings, each place offers something unique that can bring your vision to life.
Still not sure which one is right for you? No worries! I'm here to help guide you through the process and suggest the perfect spot based on your style, session type, and preferences. Feel free to reach out, and together we’ll select the ideal location that matches the vibe you’re looking for.
Ready to create some magic?
Let’s get started—contact me today to begin planning your unforgettable session!
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