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WEDDING + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
I'm passionate about capturing each season of life
Engagements, weddings, motherhood, families, seniors, & branding photography
Top 10 Family Photoshoot Locations in Sioux Falls
There are so many amazing photo options in Sioux Falls, SD!
Whether you’re looking for a prairie and nature vibe or a cozy city look, there are so many great and diverse options in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area that make for the perfect location to capture the season of life your family is in. I find myself constantly continuing to add to my favorites list and love exploring new spots to suggest to clients. Here are some of my top locations for getting a beautiful backdrop and the best family photos with yours truly. 😉
1. Lake Alvin
The perfect summer family session spot! Lake Alvin is such a perfect place to get a beautiful evergreen and lake landscape in the background. There are beautiful trees all around, rolling hills, and trails that lead to a stunning overlook that cannot be missed. This spot is a bit of paradise and many people are quickly discovering its beauty as well since it can be pretty busy in the summer and fall.
When you enter the park, the road splits and I love taking the road on the right to get a bit of a field and hilly scenic along the road and at the loading dock. Also, there is a path that you can follow next to the dock that takes you to a gorgeous lake overlook as well. This overlook is a short hike that is probably about a 1/4 of a mile into the uphill path — it is well worth the hike! I also recommend visiting the lower part of the part to the beach area for another beautiful scene.
2. Arrowhead Park
This park is such an ideal location for family photos — especially in the fall! The trails are not long so it is easy to get around the park fast and then we don’t have to tire out any little legs. This park is also very diverse in the landscape with its gorgeous pond, hills, tall grass, and trails. I love bringing families here for sessions.
3. Good Earth State Park
Good Earth State Park has gorgeous trails and lots to explore for families. I also am a big fan of the winding road that leads you into the park as the location for family photos. This park feels like going on a road trip as a family or camping.
4. Newton Hills State Park
There are endless beautiful state parks near the Sioux Falls area — including Newton Hills State Park. This park has plenty of open spaces and lots of areas to explore for families. This park is massive and has a couple of entrances, it might be good to take a look at this park before the photoshoot to get ideas of exactly where at the park you’d like to take photos. There are plenty of rolling hills all around, a woodsy area, and are some horses on the edge of the park so be sure to watch your step when you walk around.
5. Downtown Sioux Falls
You can’t go wrong in downtown Sioux Falls. There are endless hidden gem spots around downtown including city overlooks, scenic rooftops, and along the riverwalk. Downtown Sioux Falls is full of cute shops to stop in — a few of my favorites are: Coffea, CH Patisserie (french bakery), Parlour Ice Cream, and The Phillips Ave Diner. If you stop in at a time that is not so busy I would go to each of these spots for some cute family photos.
6. Great Bear Recreation Park
Great Bear is just on the edge of Sioux Falls and is another beautiful spot full of rolling hills, greenery, trails, and more. This spot is great to also just explore on your own or go down some of the trails with your dog(s).
7. McKennan Park
McKennan Park has really become such a favorite for sessions for me each time I visit. With the park located right in the middle of Sioux Falls, it has something for everyone and is in the middle of a charming historic district in the city. From the beautiful garden, theater, tennis courts, and intimate ceremony spot — you cannot go wrong at this location — especially for family photos. I think this location would make for such a great picnic themed family photoshoot.
8. The Outdoor Campus
Getting into more of our greenery and stunning nature locations. The Outdoor Campus is another spot with so many stunning backgrounds for photos any time of year that you visit — especially FALL. The colors are vibrant as ever in the autumn season. In the park there is a grass field that separates the trails around the park that make for some gorgeous tones. In the fall season the colors in the park pair perfectly with neutral colored outfits. With its convenient location in central Sioux Falls, I always highly recommend the Outdoor Campus with it being easy to get to from any part of the city.
9. Palisades State Park
The Palisades is just about a 30-minute drive outside of Sioux Falls but so worth going to! This park is huge and can get pretty full during summer months with campers. Also, it is a very popular spot for fall photoshoots, can you blame us? Whether you are wanting the red rock backdrop, evergreen trees, or wildflower field in the summer months, the Palisades has a variety of scenery and overlooks. These photos were taken at the end of August too when there were wildflowers all over. I highly recommend visiting or going here for your family photos during that time of year.
10. Perry Nature Reserve
The Perry Nature Reserve is another spot with wide open spaces for running around together during your family photoshoot. There are plenty of trees — including some beautiful willow ones that make for the perfect backdrop. At this location you can get the woodsy backdrop, tall prairie grass, and plenty of flowers that are right next to it at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.
That’s a wrap!
Overall, all these locations around Sioux Falls offer something unique that can be catered towards many different families and what they want out of their photos! My suggestion is to think about what your family likes to do. Do you camp all the time? Go for picnics? Go to shops around downtown? Try to find a location that feels like it would represent you all well, or sounds like a fun idea to you. You can literally go anywhere or even at home for your family session. I’m all for any ideas and can’t wait to connect with you and document the beautiful details that make up your family’s story. Additionally, if you want any help with picking a location, outfits, or any planning help, I’m happy to offer any expertise and suggestions.
More Information on Top 10 Locations:
- Lake Alvin
- Arrowhead Park
- Good Earth State Park
- Newton Hills State Park
- Downtown Sioux Falls
- Great Bear
- McKennan Park
- The Outdoor Campus
- Palisades State Park
- Perry Nature Reserve
Looking for a photographer for your family session?
I would be honored to capture the beautiful and sentimental moments that make up your engagement session. Fill out my contact form linked HERE to get in touch.
There are so many amazing photo options in Sioux Falls, SD!
Whether you’re looking for a prairie and nature vibe or a cozy city look, there are so many great and diverse options in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area that make for the perfect location to capture the season of life your family is in. I find myself constantly continuing to add to my favorites list and love exploring new spots to suggest to clients. Here are some of my top locations for getting a beautiful backdrop and the best family photos with yours truly. 😉
1. Lake Alvin
The perfect summer family session spot! Lake Alvin is such a perfect place to get a beautiful evergreen and lake landscape in the background. There are beautiful trees all around, rolling hills, and trails that lead to a stunning overlook that cannot be missed. This spot is a bit of paradise and many people are quickly discovering its beauty as well since it can be pretty busy in the summer and fall.
When you enter the park, the road splits and I love taking the road on the right to get a bit of a field and hilly scenic along the road and at the loading dock. Also, there is a path that you can follow next to the dock that takes you to a gorgeous lake overlook as well. This overlook is a short hike that is probably about a 1/4 of a mile into the uphill path — it is well worth the hike! I also recommend visiting the lower part of the part to the beach area for another beautiful scene.
2. Arrowhead Park
This park is such an ideal location for family photos — especially in the fall! The trails are not long so it is easy to get around the park fast and then we don’t have to tire out any little legs. This park is also very diverse in the landscape with its gorgeous pond, hills, tall grass, and trails. I love bringing families here for sessions.
3. Good Earth State Park
Good Earth State Park has gorgeous trails and lots to explore for families. I also am a big fan of the winding road that leads you into the park as the location for family photos. This park feels like going on a road trip as a family or camping.
4. Newton Hills State Park
There are endless beautiful state parks near the Sioux Falls area — including Newton Hills State Park. This park has plenty of open spaces and lots of areas to explore for families. This park is massive and has a couple of entrances, it might be good to take a look at this park before the photoshoot to get ideas of exactly where at the park you’d like to take photos. There are plenty of rolling hills all around, a woodsy area, and are some horses on the edge of the park so be sure to watch your step when you walk around.
5. Downtown Sioux Falls
You can’t go wrong in downtown Sioux Falls. There are endless hidden gem spots around downtown including city overlooks, scenic rooftops, and along the riverwalk. Downtown Sioux Falls is full of cute shops to stop in — a few of my favorites are: Coffea, CH Patisserie (french bakery), Parlour Ice Cream, and The Phillips Ave Diner. If you stop in at a time that is not so busy I would go to each of these spots for some cute family photos.
6. Great Bear Recreation Park
Great Bear is just on the edge of Sioux Falls and is another beautiful spot full of rolling hills, greenery, trails, and more. This spot is great to also just explore on your own or go down some of the trails with your dog(s).
7. McKennan Park
McKennan Park has really become such a favorite for sessions for me each time I visit. With the park located right in the middle of Sioux Falls, it has something for everyone and is in the middle of a charming historic district in the city. From the beautiful garden, theater, tennis courts, and intimate ceremony spot — you cannot go wrong at this location — especially for family photos. I think this location would make for such a great picnic themed family photoshoot.
8. The Outdoor Campus
Getting into more of our greenery and stunning nature locations. The Outdoor Campus is another spot with so many stunning backgrounds for photos any time of year that you visit — especially FALL. The colors are vibrant as ever in the autumn season. In the park there is a grass field that separates the trails around the park that make for some gorgeous tones. In the fall season the colors in the park pair perfectly with neutral colored outfits. With its convenient location in central Sioux Falls, I always highly recommend the Outdoor Campus with it being easy to get to from any part of the city.
9. Palisades State Park
The Palisades is just about a 30-minute drive outside of Sioux Falls but so worth going to! This park is huge and can get pretty full during summer months with campers. Also, it is a very popular spot for fall photoshoots, can you blame us? Whether you are wanting the red rock backdrop, evergreen trees, or wildflower field in the summer months, the Palisades has a variety of scenery and overlooks. These photos were taken at the end of August too when there were wildflowers all over. I highly recommend visiting or going here for your family photos during that time of year.
10. Perry Nature Reserve
The Perry Nature Reserve is another spot with wide open spaces for running around together during your family photoshoot. There are plenty of trees — including some beautiful willow ones that make for the perfect backdrop. At this location you can get the woodsy backdrop, tall prairie grass, and plenty of flowers that are right next to it at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.
That’s a wrap!
Overall, all these locations around Sioux Falls offer something unique that can be catered towards many different families and what they want out of their photos! My suggestion is to think about what your family likes to do. Do you camp all the time? Go for picnics? Go to shops around downtown? Try to find a location that feels like it would represent you all well, or sounds like a fun idea to you. You can literally go anywhere or even at home for your family session. I’m all for any ideas and can’t wait to connect with you and document the beautiful details that make up your family’s story. Additionally, if you want any help with picking a location, outfits, or any planning help, I’m happy to offer any expertise and suggestions.
More Information on Top 10 Locations:
- Lake Alvin
- Arrowhead Park
- Good Earth State Park
- Newton Hills State Park
- Downtown Sioux Falls
- Great Bear
- McKennan Park
- The Outdoor Campus
- Palisades State Park
- Perry Nature Reserve
Looking for a photographer for your family session?
I would be honored to capture the beautiful and sentimental moments that make up your engagement session. Fill out my contact form linked HERE to get in touch.
Shania & Pierre / Sioux Falls / 2022
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