Locations for Shoots
- Haylee Jacobson
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
For my photography services, I'm based in South-East Idaho and the surrounding areas. I also go further for a travel fee. The top question I get asked from clients is about locations.
I love finding hiking trails to take photos at! Let me know if you have any recommendations!
Kelly Canyon - Idaho
My go to location is up Kelly Canyon. This is a pretty popular location for photographers, locals, and tourists. There's Kelly Canyon ski resort, Heise Hot Springs, golfing, ziplining, camping, hiking, and so much more in the area, including an event center, the 7N Ranch Red Barn.
Located near Heise Hot Springs and Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, our resort is the ideal spot for visitors wanting to experience Idaho’s natural beauty. Planning an event? Our Red Barn venue and pavilion provide a stunning rustic setting for weddings, family reunions, and corporate retreats.
After the 7N-Ranch resort, keep going up the E Kelly Canyon Road, and you'll get to the Kelly Canyon Ski resort. The road keeps going passed the ski resort with plenty of gorgeous places to take photos right of the road or hiking trails with plenty of places for photos.
One of my favorite places to take photos is down E Heise Rd - right after the Red Barn on the right. This road follows the snake river and leads to more recreation sites such as hiking, camping, and fishing. I should note, however, that the road is pretty narrow and right on the edge of the river. Some of the property up the canyon is private so watch out! Eventually, E Kelly and E Heise meet back up and the road keeps going a little further with a few hiking trails and boat access places for the river.
Palisades Creek - Idaho
Palisades Creek is a GORGEOUS hiking trail and campground. It's a popular place (parking is always difficult and you pass a lot of other hikers...) but to me it's worth it! When I was first getting into photography this was one of the only places I'd go to, and still one I love going to. It is a hike, however, so most clients don't want to go too far.
There's a good variety for backgrounds--- trees, flowers, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, rocks, etc. There's a lower lake, an upper lake, and a mountain peak to hike to if so desired.
Japanese Friendship Garden
This is a classic, in-town spot. I've had school dance portraits taken here and I had a friend, Karly, take my photos for my mission here.
The Japanese Friendship Garden in Idaho Falls is a beautiful and compact oasis right off of the Snake River. It offers photographers a special escape with distinctly Japanese-inspired elements. It features a garden gate, lush greenery, water features including a waterfall and koi-filled pond, a deck and viewing platform for overlooking the water, and the whimsical "Dragon's Path"—a stepping-stone bridge crossing the pond that creates elegant reflections and leading lines.
Downtown
A photographer I've admired for a long time took some engagement photos downtown Idaho Falls. Sometimes downtown areas can be sketchy or feel- dirty... but these photos were gorgeous and super aesthetic. I was obsessed! Check out her page!
Off The Road
A lot of my photos I sometimes take in places you might not expect. When driving somewhere and I see a place I like then I save it! I took some pictures for my sister's wedding after we drove and pulled over at a random location.
When I bought my camera I asked my friends if I could practice on them! We drove back behind Rexburg until we found a spot that could work. Just a literal field with melting snow in the middle of the day. I didn't hate it though, it worked.
I took photos at my sister's archery competition at a soccer field.
Sand Dunes - St Anthony
A popular place in South-Eastern Idaho is the sand dunes over in St. Anthony! There's about 10,000 acres of sand with some dunes reaching up to 400 feet high. These dunes provide dramatic shapes and curves, leading lines, and open spaces. The sand creates a soft glow during golden hour.
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