Downtown Photoshoot Ideas

Winter time can be a hard time to get pictures taken and I’ve narrowed it down to a few reasons why, 1st is how cold it is for most people, 2nd is the snow photoshoots aren’t most peoples vibe or style they are going for and 3rd is that the sun sets earlier making photoshoots start earlier and i’ve found that just doesn’t work with most peoples schedules…

…so Hayley what does that mean?

If you want pictures done in the winter time but don’t want the snow or to be outdoors the whole time then a downtown photoshoot might just be what you are looking for!

Here are my top downtown photoshoot ideas for picking the perfect location.

1. Hire a photographer who knows good spots and that aren’t overcrowded with people (unless that’s the style you’re going for) - I have a location guide with over 80 location options and I can find options in any city so no matter where you are located I am confident I can send you a list of options!

2. Search for public and government buildings in your area

3. Search for hotels or cool buildings

4. Find unique parts of the city with buildings, parks, stairs or pillars

5. Find if there are any photography studios, I love this option because there are really unique studios in downtown Salt Lake City Utah and it provides another

I’ve found that the best way for me in finding these places are doing google searches for these things, using google maps to explore your city and also driving and walking around the city to find a good spot.

When it comes to the prep work of getting ready for your photoshoot it’s important to decide your outfit based on the style of photos you want and clothes that feel like you. I caution when choosing outfits be intentional with colors, I often love neutral color schemes but I also do love color when done correct, monochromatic color schemes, and complimentary colors are the safest way to go when adding in color. I also suggest muted, darker or pastel color when adding color into a outfit.

Some of my favorite outfit ideas for downtown photos:

1. Casual Streetwear: This is usually oversized clothes, sweats, hats, sneakers, t - shirts, tank tops, crop tops

2. Normal Streetwear: Think trench coats, p coats, turtle necks, necklaces, trousers, loafers, sweaters, silk, crop tops

3. Formal Outfits: dresses, skirts, trousers and shirt or trousers and button up, slacks

I love recommend if your shoot is over an hour long doing two outfits, each in one of the categories ex a casual and normal streetwear or normal and formal. Your can do casual and formal but they are. both extreme so it can look a little weird if they are next to each other (ex on wedding announcements or save the dates) if not done correctly.

Some of my favorite downtown photos posing ideas:

First off I think its important to note that it can be intimidating getting in front of a camera, I try my best to get in front of my camera as much as possible so that I can be in those same shoes of seeing what it is like being photographed, some of the worries that people can have and what feels natural and what feels awkward! That being said here is why I have gathered:

1. Find a photographer who has natural and candid posing and prompts

2. Your photographer should be someone who you feel like you can be open with and comfortable doing something that can be uncomfortable (taking pictures, PDA ect…)

3. MOVEMENT MOVEMENT MOVEMENT! I can’t say this enough! If you don’t want stiff posing and pictures then my biggest advice is to move, walk around, brush your fingers through your partners eyes, pull them in and kiss them when it feels right, have quiet moments, melt into each other, chat with each other and whisper in each others ears.

4. Take advantage of the location you are at, in the case of the city, use the stairs, walk up them, sit on them. Use the building, go in it, lean against the walls, use the elevator to take pictures in, if it is a a busy city use the people! Blur them out with a long exposure and you two stay still, find moments or spots where it is less crowded!

5. Have a few (5-10) inspo pictures of the vibe, style and or pose that you are dying to have an show your photographer!

I always ask the couples I work with to give me a few MUST HAVE shots that we incorporate into the pictures and that help me as a photographer dictate what feels most like the couple. For example if a couple shows me laughing, running, and piggy back poses I can assume they are a more outgoing couple with lots of energy and so I might have them do a lot of running and hugging, spinning and dancing. Whereas if a couple shows me detail pictures, intimate close ups, leaning on each other I can assume that their personalities and relationship would be best reflected in intimate hugging moments, looking into each others eyes, brushing through each others hair, slow romantic walks.

My approach to each session is very much based on the couples I work with and their dynamic as well as the location and using what is around me.

Due to Utahs long winters but also many couples getting engaged and wanting pictures, I have been able to shoot so many downtown Salt Lake City sessions and it has become something that I love so much, I’ve found so many little gems of places and I really do think that the city vibe is so fun and there is something so beautiful about it.

I took Baylee and Jonathan to Salt Lake City for an anniversary photoshoot and without further adieu here is our downtown photoshoot!