Utah engagement photos are more than a beautiful prelude to your wedding day! They’re a way to honor your love story in places that feel vast, sacred, and deeply personal. From alpine meadows and quiet canyons of Park City to sun-washed deserts in Moab and out-of-this-world landscapes like the salt flats, Utah offers an unmatched diversity of backdrops for couples’ engagement photos.
Utah Engagement Photographer
As a Utah engagement photographer, I’ll help you choose a meaningful location. Whether it hold a significance already or will be a new adventure to remember, we will find the perfect place. Then, I’ll craft stunning photos that are uniquely yours, flattering, genuine, and capture the essence of that amazing location.
For more information on what’s included in my engagement photo sessions and prices, click here.
Below, I dive into all of the best photo locations around Utah based on the type of scenery such as water, desert, flowers, urban, romantic architecture and mountains as well as seasonal locations. If that is too long to read then you can pin this post for later or quickly check out my top 10 favorite Utah engagement photo locations as a romantic, elegant, and adventurous photographer.
Kaci’s picks: The Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island, The Spiral Jetty, Little Sahara Sand Dunes, The Utah State Capitol Salt Lake City, La Caille, Amangiri, The Lodge at Blue Sky Auberge, Springville Museum of Art, and Moab.
Locations for Utah Engagement Photos
Utah offers one of the most diverse and breathtaking backdrops for engagement photos! Below, I’ve organized the best Utah engagement photo locations by scenery, allowing you to choose a setting that feels most like you—while also sharing specific locations within each area to help you envision what’s possible. Whether you’re drawn to nature, elegance, or something in between, your jaw will drop when you see these places.
*Please note that locations with * require a photography permit and/or fee to shoot there.
Here is a map of all the engagement photo locations.
When you click on the pinned locations you’ll be able to view photos and get directions.
Water and Beach Locations
Water brings a sense of calm, reflection, and quiet intimacy to engagement photos. Utah’s lakes and reservoirs are stunning and usually crossover with a desert, mountain, or even floral setting so I wanted to start here. I also love water, so that will always be my top choice!
Antelope Island State Park* is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake and offers a variety of settings from a rustic historic ranch, sage brush, beaches, and a wild herd of bison. 4528 West 1700 South Syracuse, Utah 84075
Great Saltair* is a cute building with fun arches on the edge of the Great Salt Lake. 12408 W Saltair Dr, Magna, UT 84044
Silver Lake* is surrounded by mountains at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. There are cute piers and trails through pine trees. Silver Lake, Brighton, UT 84121
Tibble Fork* is a small reservoir surrounded by mountains and pine trees. It is busy with paddleboarders in the summer and you can walk in it when it freezes over in the winter. Tibble Fork Reservoir, Utah 84604
Utah Salt Flats when flooded in the winter, you can basically walk on water since it’s only a few inches deep and if there is no wind then you’ll get an amazing reflection! Bonneville Speedway Road, Wendover, UT 84083
Stansbury Island (Pink Lake) an offroad adventure to this iconic part of the Great Salt Lake that turns pink at the end of the summer. Stansbury Island, Utah
Spiral Jetty – is on the coast of the Great Salt Lake and turns pink as well. You get the added bonus of the spiral jetty rock art formation, sand, and wildflowers along the way. Corinne, UT 84307
5th Water Hot Springs – one of my favorite places in Utah! Easy hike up to the sulfur springs (they do smell) with warm water and a giant cold waterfall with wildflowers in the summer. Diamond Fork Rd, Springville, UT 84663
Payson Lakes – up Nebo Loop in Payson, there are a few beautiful lakes. There was a fire there a few years ago but there is plenty of growth coming in now. Payson Lakes Campground, Utah 84653
Bridal Veil Falls – The most iconic and largest waterfall in Utah (plus it’s called Bridal Veil – how cute for your engagement photos or bridals). There’s also Upper Falls next to it that you can hike to. Bridal Veil Falls, US-189, Provo, UT 84604.
Utah Lake – Vineyard Beach has a great shoreline and cattails. 4830 N Vineyard Rd, Vineyard, UT 84058.
Mountain Locations
Utah’s Wastach mountains offer a sense of stillness and grandeur that elevates every moment. Mountains are perfect for couples that want serenity, fresh air, and sweeping views.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Collection – stunning secluded luxury mountain resort with thousands of acres of untamed wilderness. You can stay at the resort or contact their event team to approve a photoshoot. 27649 Old Lincoln Hwy, Wanship, UT 84017
Wasatch Mountain Canyons: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, American Fork Canyon, Ogden Canyon, Provo Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, Neff’s Canyon, Logan Canyon, Aspen Grove and Sundance. Mountain photos are highly dependent on the weather – there are wildflowers in the Spring, leaves change in the Fall, and roads close frequently in the Winter. Refer to the map for some beautiful pinned locations like Jordan Pines and Squaw Peak.
Tunnel Springs – is a park in City Lake City with great mountain backdrops and tall grass. 1080 Eaglepointe Drive, North Salt Lake, UT 84054
This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City – a great place for old, historic pioneer buildings with open grass parks surrounded by mountains. 2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Flower and Garden Locations
Garden engagement photos in Utah are soft, romantic, and full of life. There are many meticulously landscaped venues as well as natural wildflowers throughout the state.
Albion Basin* blooms in the late summer around July/August and looks like switzerland with a variety of wildflowers.
Thanksgiving Point*, Lehi – The Tulip festival in April and May in their Ashton Gardens is spectacular. 2929 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT 84043
Lavender Fields, Mona* – look like France here in Utah, you have to book time slots online when they bloom in late summer. 3700 Old Hwy 91, Mona, UT 84645
International Peace Gardens* – beautiful gardens and unique architecture. 1060 S 900 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Red Butte Garden & Arboretum* – one of the most stunning and well-maintained gardens in Utah. 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Ogden Botanical Gardens – lots of lush greenery and a mountain backdrop as well. 1750 Monroe Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401
Le Jardin – has an outdoor garden and an indoor greenhouse option. 1910 E Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, UT 84092
Cactus and Tropicals – offers several indoor greenhouse-like locations in Salt Lake City, Draper, and Midvale.
Memory Grove is tucked away east of the Salt Lake Capitol, with elegant columns and beautiful flowers it is a pretty place for engagement photos. 300 N Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Ensign Peak – has an amazing view of Salt Lake City and tons of yellow wildflowers in the summer. 1002 N Ensign Vista Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Provo Canyon and Ogden Canyon bloom with yellow flowers in the summer, especially at Squaw Peak and Buffalo Peak
Mantua Poppy Fields* – usually bloom for a couple weeks in June near Brigham City, Utah
Lambert Park Poppies in Alpine – are located in a magical, tiny park in the middle of Alpine suburbia
Cherry and peach blossom trees usually bloom for just a few weeks between March-May depending on the weather. The Utah State Capitol is very popular. The peaches (pink blossoms) bloom first then cherries (white blossoms) come next. There are many orchards in Utah county. Cherry Hill Farm* has a large orchard. Hidden Orchards* has beautiful orchards and a large sunflower field that blooms July-August. Provo Orchard is also great!
Desert Locations
Utah’s desert landscapes are striking, cinematic, and wildly beautiful. With expansive horizons, sculpted red rock, and glowing sunsets, desert engagement photos feel editorial yet deeply soulful. Our desert landscapes are perfect for couples craving adventure and warmth. Located mostly in Southern Utah, these are an adventurous getaway.
Utah Salt Flats – are a vast desert of white glittery salt, with the cracked desert lines in the summer. Bonneville Westbound Reststop, Wendover, Utah
Little Sahara Sand Dunes – towering sand dunes for miles and miles
Moab – Unique red rock desert everywhere you go. Some great options are Dead Horse State Park*, Arches National Park*, and Canyonlands*
St George – Snow Canyon State Park
Amangiri would be a luxurious way to celebrate your engagement in the serene, open desert of Southern Utah. You can only take photos there if you are guest there. Anywhere around Lake Powell, even Antelope Canyon* or Horseshoe Bend (though they are in Arizona, they’re very close to Utah).
Red Ledges Spanish Fork – a little pocket of red rock in Spanish Fork Canyon
Zion National Park – iconic red canyons with rivers and waterfalls in the warmer months.
Bryce Canyon National Park – located in Southern Utah, this national park has unique red rock features with tons of pine trees.
Cutler Cove, Kanab – amazing sand hollow and cave arch
Cosmic Ashtray near the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Toadstool Hoodoos Trail – a great roadtrip stop to this amazing geological rock garden
Monument Valley, one of the most well-known Western desert landscapes with towering buttes in a vast empty space, near the Four Corners in Southeast Utah.
Bentonite Hills are incredible, unique, multicolored layers of hills near Capitol Reef National Park
Urban Locations
City Creek in the heart of downtown Salt Lake, this chic shopping center has beautiful water features and bridges 50 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Exchange Place – historic street of buildings from the early 1900s with original architecture 39 East Exchange Place, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Salt Lake City Public Library stunning modern building with a unique curving exterior and extra special if you love books 210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Park City Main Street cute little Hallmark street of cute vintage buildings of all colors and string lights, it is especially magical in the winter 825 Main Street, Suite 201, right by the Town Lift.
Downtown Provo you can start at La Fete or The Kissing Point. Provo has lots of cute streets and even art murals
College campuses can be really beautiful if you’re currently a student. Some campuses have historic buildings and gardens on site.
Romantic Architecture Locations
La Caille is one of the most beautiful buildings in Utah, it has European charm of a quaint French castle covered in ivy with a vineyard and view of the mountains. There’s also swans and several peacocks roaming about making it truly magical! You can take your engagement photos then enjoy a fancy dinner there after 9565 S Wasatch Blvd. Sandy, UT 84092
Thomas S Monson Center this building is stunning with it’s grand columns. Located at the University of Utah 411 E S Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Castle Amphitheater Provo has a beautiful cobblestone castle 1300 East Center Street, Provo, UT 84606
Wadley Farms has an iconic castle as well as a variety of backdrops around the property including a garden and vineyard 5 E 400 N, Lindon, UT 84042
Grand America has a beautiful courtyard and you can also take photos indoors 555 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Indoor Places to take Engagement Pictures in Utah
The Commercial Club I used to cowork out of this space, it is absolutely beautiful with marble, crown modling, and chandeliers 32 Exchange Place, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Utah State Capitol is one of my favorite places to take photos as long as you can beat the crowds because it is a busy place. You can take photos indoors all year round.
The Depot at the Gateway cute old train station stop that is now a part of the Gateway Mall, just check to make sure no events are happening there 13 N 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Natural History Museum Utah has a stunning modern interior with a minimalist design, there are also great views for outdoor photos as well 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Art Musuems- Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Springville Art Museum* photos with framed and fine art are so classic and chic, also feels more like a date than a photoshoot.
Studios – White Space, the Loft Studio, and many others available all year round
Home/Airbnb – A cozy in home session or fun airbnb rental
Favorite coffee shop or book store or anywhere special to you both (with permission of course)
Utah Engagement Photos by Season
Spring Engagement Photos Utah
Utah has late winters but I absolutely love the blossoming trees. Those usually bloom first before everything else between March-May. The Utah state capitol or the Utah County Orchards are the best spots for Spring engagement photos.
Summer Engagement Photos Utah
Anywhere in Northern Utah is amazing during the summer. There are wildflowers everywhere and everything is green. Southern Utah and the desert landscapes can get too hot during the summer. My top picks for summer engagement photos would be Little Sahara Sand dunes, La Caille and Blue Sky Auberge.
Fall Engagement Photos Utah
If you’re dreaming of the vibrant yellow, orange and red leaves then you’ll want a place with a lot of Aspen trees. Timing is critical as the leaves only change colors for a few weeks then they’re gone. October is going to be your best bet, but I keep my eye on the KSL weatherman’s daily reports on Fall foilage on social media. Depending on the elevation, some places start sooner than others or last longer so you can potentially get Fall photos from September-November.
My top two personal favorite Fall engagement photo spots are Guardsman Pass at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City or Alpine Loop in Provo Canyon.
Winter Engagement Photos Utah
Utah is known for the best snow on Earth! The best time for magical, cozy Hallmark fresh snow engagement photos will be in February sometimes lasting from January-April.
Park City is your best bet for snow and has so many iconic resorts and cabins for your session.
You might also consider the ice Castles in Midway. It’s a man-made attraction out of nothing but ice!
Ice stacks on Utah Lake are incredible and so unique for photos. They peak late winter after wind storms on the Southeast side of the lake. 4700 Lincoln Beach Rd, Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Utah Engagement Photo Ideas
You should make your engagement photos special and genuine to who you are. Is there a place that is special to you both?
Could you make your engagement photos into a date or getaway or whole adventure? I have some couples who opt for a half or full day around a National Park then we capture star photos at the end of the night.
Are there hobbies or interests you could include such as musical instruments, baking, theater, carnivals etc. I’ve had couples take photos with their plane at the airport. Maybe you have a friend or family member that has a beautiful property you could use. Think outside the box for really unique engagement photos!
What to wear for your Engagement Photos
These are not everyday photos, these are capturing a very special season of being engaged. You should make it special! I always recommend light colors (white, tan, light blue, pink) as they reflect light well no matter your skin tone. Most photographers will accomodate 2-3 different looks (I encourage it!)
For feminine looks – sundresses for Summer, sweater dresses for Winter, and an evening gown.
For masculine looks – plain button up shirt with linen pants or slacks, suit, and tuxes.
I cannot stress enough that what you choose flatter the favorite parts of your body, consider getting your outfit tailored or even custom made. AVOID: busy patterns, bright/neon colors, sheer fabrics or anything that might show your undergarments (cakes or a strapless bra really help).
What to do with your Utah Engagement Pictures
Many of my couples have printed their engagement photos for their homes, used them as their save the dates, sent them with the formal invitation, created a guestbook with them, or even decorated the wedding reception venue with them. You can do so many things with these photos! Priceless memory!
Frequently Asked Questions about Utah Engagement Photography
How much do Utah Engagement Photos cost?
Most Utah photographers charge anywhere from $200-$600 + travel, premium photographers can charge well over $1000 plus printed products, though some photographers include the engagement session for free with their wedding packages.
How far in advance should you do your engagement photos?
I’d recommend 6-12 months, maybe even sooner before your wedding so that you can use them in your wedding planning. It also leaves time for you to find a new photographer if the engagement photos don’t turn out the way you’d like.
What is the difference between engagement photos and proposal photos?
Engagement photos typically take place during a seperate session after the proposal and both people in the partnership are prepared for them. Proposal photos are just capturing the actual marriage proposal event, it’s usually a surprise for one person in the relationship.
How many photos do you usually get from an engagement shoot?
You can expect around 50-100, sometimes more or less, depending on how long your engagement shoot was and what your photographer includes in their packages.
How long is a typical engagement photo session?
Most engagement photoshoots last 1-2 hours but can be longer depending on the location and activities.
What is the best time of day to take engagement photos?
The best time for engagement photos is typically 1-2 hours before sunset when taking photos outdoors (golden hour). Indoors or in a studio, you generally want midday. If you’re going to take photos at a crowded place, sunrise might be your best bet to avoid crowds and still get that golden light.
Should you get Engagement Photos?
Wedding costs start creeping up the deeper you get into wedding planning and some couples think to themselves, are engagement pictures worth it? Of course, I’m biased as a photographer, but even speaking to you as a friend, I would tell you to 100% get them done. Here’s why:
• Your engagement photos document this once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re giddy, flirty, totally wide eyed and bushy tailed, in love and excited for everything that is going to happen. It’s totally stress-free, just you two and you’re going to love it.
• Your engagement photos are very useful when sending out your save the dates, invitations, or even using them on your wedding day as a guest book or printed to show off at the reception.
• The engagement photo session is a great trial run with your photographer. If you end up being a mismatch, then you still have time to try another photographer. It also makes the wedding day so much smoother because you are more comfortable with your photographer and already know how their posing works. I love working with my couples before their wedding, so I’m not a stranger spending their whole wedding day with them!
• If you’re traveling in for a destination engagement photo session in Utah, there are many romantic adventures to be had, exploring all the unique landscapes here. You’re not going to find anything like our mountains and deserts or Great Salt Lake where you’re from! Iconic!
Schedule Your Utah Engagement Photos
If you’re ready to get your engagement photos done here in Utah, then I would love to be your photographer! Let’s get you on the calendar. Please reach out to check my availability https://kacilou.com/contact
