Location is the key ingredient to great photos. You should always choose a location that has significance to you or fits the style of session/activity we will be doing during the session.
Below is a list of known locations around Missoula that i have enjoyed shooting at in the past. I have included a description of each location. Note that these are not in an specific order.
LOCATIONS IN MISSOULA:
COUNCIL GROVE STATE PARK
Council grove state park is located about 6 miles down Mullan road. Here we have open fields, trees, tall grass in some areas, and the river. This is a great location if you are looking for variety, a cleaner nature location, or easy access. Best time of year: Year Round.
GREENOUGH PARK
Greenough park is located near the freeway at the start of the rattlesnake. It is great for a more clean cut session. This park is well maintained, easily accessible, and always beautiful. This park has a couple of foot bridges, a creek, grassy areas, a stone structure, and a small wooden fence. Best time of year: Spring, Summer, & Fall.
RATTLENSAKE TRAIL
The rattlesnake trail head is located of course in the rattlesnake. This trail will require a little more walking than some locations but it is flat and easy. It has a lot of nice spots throughout the trail including a foot bridge, trees, open fields, and the creek. Best time of year: Year Round.
PATTY CANYON
Patty Canyon Road is located off of higgins st. If you follow the road there are many places to stop and take photos. I like to meet at the top and have clients follow me as we stop at locations that catch my eye. This is a more woodsy area with well spread out trees, the road, a wooden fence, and some grassy areas. We can also choose a trailhead and stay there the entire shoot! The options are limitless. Best time of year: Year Round.
WATER WORKS TRAIL
Water Works is located near the rattlesnake by greenough park. This trail is accessible for most people and it is a fairly quick hike to the location I like to shoot. Here we have tall grass and a beautiful view of the Missoula Valley and surrounding mountains. Best time of year: Year Round.
MACLAY FLATS
MaClay Flats is located off of the main blue mountain road. This trailhead is very flat and accessible. Here we have open fields with tall grass, trees, and the river. It is a fairly large area so we have plenty to work with. Best time of year: Year Round.
BLUE MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Blue Mountain trail is located of course off of the main blue mountain road. This trail is a little more difficult to hike for some people as it is steep at times. Here we have two options of scenery to work with. One, an open grassy hill with a view of the valley or two, a more woodsy area. Best time of year: Spring, Summer, & Fall.
DOWNTOWN MISSOULA
Downtown Missoula is a great place for anyone looking for a more urban or edgy look. We could spend two hours downtown and still have a ton of places left to shoot. You can also get some greenery on the river trail which of course is just a short walk from higgins. This gives us lots of variety in the photos. Best time of year: Year Round.
TOWER STREET TRAIL
The Tower Street trail is located at the end of tower St (off of 3rd behind Wheat Montana). This location has a small swampy pond, creek, river, and you guessed it, more trees! These trees are pretty great though, especially in the fall! Best time of year: Spring, Summer, & Fall.
FORT MISSOULA
Fort Missoula is located off of south street by big sky high school and community hospital. This location is great, especially for families! There are lots of different backdrops between all of the buildings, tall grassy fields, a wagon, etc. Best time of year: Year Round.
MCCORMICK PARK
McCormick Park is located next to currents and the osprey fields. Here we have a little pond, foot bridge, and the river trail to work with. This is another great place for variety. Best time of year: Spring, Summer, & Fall.
LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF MISSOULA:
I do shoot sessions outside of Missoula, with an additional travel fee. I also require a minimum of 1 hour sessions to travel. If you're looking to get out of Missoula for your session to customize your photos a little more, here are just a couple of locations to help you brainstorm.
ROCK CREEK
Rock Creek is an amazing place! We have a foot bridge, the creek, some cliffs & rocks, and of course we can hike into rock creek. The last time I shot here was in the fall with a couple that loves to fly fish. It was an awesome session! Best time of year: Spring, Summer, & Fall.
LOLO TRAVELERS REST
Lolo Travelers Rest is a great place for a more rustic look. We have a big brown barn, an old truck, big open fields, tall trees, etc. I have shot many engagement sessions here. Its awesome! Best Time of Year: Year Round.
SEELEY LAKE
Sleepy Lake is a beautiful place. I actually lived here when I first moved to Montana. There are many great spots around the lake to shoot or there is a waterfall we could hike to just outside of Seeley. Best time of year: Spring, Summer, & Especially Fall.
HEART LAKE
Heart Lake is near Superior MT and it has to be my favorite lake in Montana. If we hike it in August we will have lots of opportunity to snack on the way up as it is covered in huckleberries. This would be an awesome place to take a newly engaged couple. Best time of year: Summer.