Yesterday I found myself driving all around Boise, camera gear in tow, on what I call a “location scouting mission.” I have a family session scheduled for Monday evening and wanted to try somewhere new. After three hours of exploring potential spots around town, I made an interesting discovery: there’s a reason my favorite locations are favorites. I kept mentally comparing every new spot to the tried-and-true places I’ve been using for years.
As a Boise family photographer who’s been shooting in the Treasure Valley for over 12 years, I’ve learned that the perfect location isn’t always the most Instagram-famous spot. Whether you’re a fellow photographer looking for fresh locations or a local family wondering where to take your own family photos, here’s what I’ve discovered makes a location truly special.
What I Look for When Boise Location Scouting for Family Photos
Direction of Light: The Golden Hour Game-Changer
The first thing I consider during any location scout is light direction. I shoot my outdoor session almost exclusively during golden hour – either first thing in the morning or right at sunset. This means I need to know exactly where the sun will be hitting my subjects at those specific times.
But here’s something many photographers don’t think about: I also need to know where the open shade is. I have families arrive about an hour before sunset, which means I need somewhere for us to “hide” while we’re waiting for that perfect golden light. I’m specifically looking for filtered sunlight through trees or solid open shade where we can get a good chunk of setups done before the sun goes down. Then we can end our session in that perfect sunset light for the money shot.
For DIY families: Go scope out a spot in advance- don’t show up with the entire family dressed for photos and hope you’ll just stumble upon the ideal spot. Arrive at your chosen spot 30 minutes before your planned time and watch how the light changes so you know exactly what to expect when you have the entire family in tow.
For photographers: I’ve learned to visit potential locations at the exact time I’ll be shooting. That gorgeous open field might have stunning morning light but be completely backlit during evening sessions. Don’t assume – always verify. There’s nothing worse than getting to a location you’re not familiar with and having a family standing in front of you waiting to be told where to stand.
Seasonal Changes: Why I Scout Days Before Sessions
Idaho’s seasons are dramatic, and what looks perfect in August might be completely different by October. I learned this the hard way when I showed up to a “gorgeous” location in the foothills only to find that what had been golden grasses in my summer scout was now brown stubble after the first frost.
Now I make it a practice to scout locations just days before important sessions, especially during fall when everything changes weekly. Those beautiful sunflowers along Elephant Rock Trail? They might be stunning one week and completely gone the next. I know now to never promise my clients any particular setting because things change year to year.
Distance Matters: Keep It Local for Little Ones
While I love a good adventure location, I’ve discovered that the most stunning backdrop means nothing if my clients are stressed from a long drive with cranky kids. Some of my most successful family sessions happen within 15 minutes of downtown Boise.
For local families: Don’t feel like you need to drive to McCall for beautiful photos. Some of my favorite shots have been taken at Camel’s Back Park, along the Greenbelt, or even in your own backyard with the right lighting.
For photographers: Clients don’t usually care about location nearly as much as they care about how their family looks. I even had a grandma say she didn’t like a family photo one time because the background “was too pretty” (I was so confused by that one!) Do your scouting to find spots that you know super well all throughout the different seasons so when they say “we want images by the Boise River” you know exactly where to take them to get beautiful family images without having to drive over 30 minutes.
Off the Beaten Path: Avoiding the Crowds
Nothing kills the magic of a family session faster than competing with other photographers, cyclists, or crowds of people. I actively avoid highly manicured areas like perfectly mowed park lawns or popular Instagram spots during peak times.
Instead, I look for those in-between places – lesser-known trails or bigger areas with room to spread out. These spots often provide more authentic, relaxed sessions because families aren’t worried about being in anyone’s way.
Color Palette: Embracing Boise’s Natural Tones
I tend to shoot with muted, soft color palettes rather than bold, saturated tones. This means I’m specifically looking for locations that complement this style. The bright, brassy green of well-watered park grass doesn’t work for my aesthetic – I much prefer the sage and muted greens of our high desert landscape.
The foothills provide this perfectly with their natural palette of dusty greens, warm sandstone, and golden grasses. Even in spring when everything is green, it’s a softer, more muted green than you’ll find in heavily irrigated areas.
My Go-To Location: Foothills Learning Center
After all my scouting adventures, I keep coming back to the Foothills Learning Center area. Here’s why it’s become my favorite spot for family sessions:
The Sandstone Cliffs: These natural rock formations provide gorgeous, neutral backdrops that work for any family’s color palette. The texture adds visual interest without being distracting.
Epic Foothills: I love having the sweeping foothills in my backgrounds, but particularly when they’re house free! While other trails might have these peaks and valleys you’re often editing out peoples homes. The learning center offers views void of civilization.
Diverse Landscape: Within a small area, you get dried grasses, sage brush, wildflowers (including sunflowers in late summer), foothills in the distance and those stunning sandstone formations. This variety means I can create completely different looks within one session.
Sunset Magic: The way the evening light hits those cliffs and illuminates the dried grasses is simply stunning. The golden hour here feels like you’re in a movie.
Easy Access: It’s close enough to town that families don’t feel like they’re embarking on an expedition, but far enough out to feel special and removed from city chaos.
Open Shade: While there isn’t a ton of open shade at this location by the cliffs, if you walk toward the learning center itself there is a crop of trees with lovely filtered light that’s a great place to start.
Technical Note: There are a few power lines that occasionally appears in shots, but with modern editing tools (hello, Photoshop’s content-aware fill), it’s easily removed in post-processing. (see the photo below that’s pre-edited!)
Location Scouting Tips for Fellow Photographers
The Three-Visit Rule
I try to visit any potential new location three times before using it for a paid session:
- Initial scout – general feel and potential
- Lighting check – at the exact time I’d be shooting
- Final confirmation – within a few days of the session
Build Your Location Database
Keep a running list of locations with notes about:
- Best times of day for light
- Seasonal considerations
- Parking situation
- Landscape variety
- Walking distance (Particularly important for elderly grandparents, pregnant moms or tiny toddlers)
- If there is open shade
Ideally you’ll shot at these favorite locations enough over the years that you’ll start to have tons of examples to show clients as well so they can anticipate what the location will look like and what they can expect for their own family’s photos.
For Local Families: DIY Location Scouting
If you’re planning your own family photos, here’s what you can do:
Use Google Earth
Zoom in on areas around Boise and look for interesting natural features – curves in the Boise River, tree lines, or open spaces that might provide good backgrounds. I like to hike around town and keep an eye out for any new spots that might make good locations! I always walk with my phone so that I can document the scenes and remember where I was when i return from my hike.
Visit During Your Planned Session Time
Light changes everything. That spot that looks mediocre at noon might be absolutely magical during golden hour.
Consider Your Family’s Personality and Abilities
Are your kids more comfortable in a playground setting, or would they prefer exploring a nature trail? The best location is one where your family feels relaxed and natural but also where they won’t be distracted. I personally tend to avoid playgrounds because many kids don’t want to participate with nature when a big yellow slide is calling their name.
Also take into account how far you’ll need to walk from the car. I can’t tell you how many beautiful locations there are that are simply too far to reasonably ask a pregnant woman or toddler to walk to! You don’t want to arrive sweaty and tired before you’ve ever taken a shot.
When to Call in the Professionals
While DIY family photos can be fun and budget-friendly, there are times when hiring a professional photographer for location scouting and sessions makes sense:
- Large family gatherings where you need someone who can manage group dynamics
- Special milestones where you want the peace of mind that comes with experience
- Challenging lighting conditions that require technical expertise
- When you want to be in the photos instead of behind the camera
The Reality of Location Scouting
Here’s what I wish I’d known when I started: the “perfect” location doesn’t exist. Every spot has challenges – whether it’s parking, crowds, lighting limitations, or seasonal changes. The magic happens when you learn to work with a location’s strengths while minimizing its weaknesses.
After yesterday’s unsuccessful hunt for the “perfect new spot,” I’m reminded that sometimes the best locations are the ones you know inside and out. When you understand how the light falls, where the best angles are, and how to position families for optimal comfort and beauty, that familiar location becomes a tool for creating something truly special.
Whether you’re a photographer building your location database or a local family planning your next photo session, remember that the best location is one that serves your specific needs. Sometimes that’s an epic mountain vista, and sometimes it’s your own backyard during perfect lighting.
The key to successful Boise location scouting for family photos isn’t finding the most unique spot – it’s finding the right spot for the right family at the right time. And honestly? Sometimes that means going back to your tried and true favorites.
Looking for a new trail around Boise? Check out https://boisetrails.com/ to find new, unexplored trails near you.
I’m Paige McLeod, owner of Glean & Co Photography in Boise. When I’m not photographing families around the Treasure Valley or newborns in our lifestyle studio, I teach editing techniques to newborn photographers worldwide. Whether you’re looking for a stress-free family session or wanting to improve your own photography skills, I’d love to connect with you.
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