Hi, I'm Raquel. Nice to meet you!
Thank you for checking out my blog! I love sharing all my photography expertise and inspiration with you to make planning your photoshoot seamless for you.
book a session
WEDDING + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
I'm passionate about capturing each season of life
Engagements, weddings, motherhood, families, seniors, & branding photography
Top 10 Senior Photo Locations Sioux Falls
There are so many perfect senior photo locations in Sioux Falls, SD!
Whether you’re looking for a more industrial city vibe or beautiful rock formations and fields, there are so many great and diverse options in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area that make for the perfect location for senior photos. I find myself 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 senior photos with yours truly. 😉
1. 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 has so many different backdrops that make for stunning photos. This is my go-to spot for senior photos in mid-August when there is a field full of beautiful wildflowers right before entering the park next to the road. Whether you want the red rock backdrop, evergreen trees, or wildflower field in the summer months, the Palisades has a variety of scenery and overlooks.
2. McKennan Park
McKennan Park has become such a favorite for photoshoots for me each time I visit. This park has something for everyone and is in the middle of a charming historic district in the city. The park is perfect for incorporating florals from their garden into your photos or just getting some beautiful green backdrops. If you are a tennis or basketball player I recommend this location too for some sporty portraits in your session.
3. The Outdoor Campus
The Outdoor Campus is another spot with so many stunning backgrounds for photos any time of year that you visit — especially FALL. This is one of the best spots for getting those colorful fall leaves in the background for your fall photos and also the tall grass. 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.
4. Downtown Sioux Falls, SD
Of course, the city girl in me would pick downtown for the first spot. There are endless hidden gem spots around downtown including city overlooks, scenic rooftops, and the riverwalk. You can’t go wrong in downtown Sioux Falls for your senior photos. Rooftops, historic buildings, museums, CH Patisserie, and coffee shops, are some ideas for a senior session downtown.
5. Lake Alvin
The perfect summer session spot. Lake Alvin will give you tall grass, the beach, rolling hills, and a woodsy evergreen vibe for your senior session. 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 for photoshoots.
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 rolling hills scene 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 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.
6. High School or College Location
Another great location for your senior session is where all the memories of your senior year are, your school. We can get creative with these photos at your high school too and see if we can go to any areas of the school that you spend a lot of time at such as with a club or sport. I’m up for any ideas you have here and it can be fun to include a few props for photos with a sport or club theme. Cap and gowns, basketballs, volleyballs, books, sneakers, and jerseys are a few prop ideas to include.
7. Landscape Garden Center Greenhouse
The Landscape Garden Center is THE spot for green backdrops. If you’re a plant lover like myself, this greenhouse is a must for showing off your love of plants and if you’re open to trying something a little different for your photoshoot. There are so many ways to get creative for your senior session at this greenhouse.
8. Good Earth State Park
Good Earth State Park has gorgeous trails and is the perfect location for seniors who are nature-lovers. I also love this location to get a beautiful country or sunset vibe. The sunsets at this location are so gorgeous. I am a big fan of the winding road that leads you into the park as the location for senior photos to get some creative shots with that winding road.
9. Riverdale Park
This park is such an ideal location for any type of photos but especially senior photos! There is a rustic bridge at this park that makes for a perfect backdrop. Riverdale Park has so many colorful trees in the late fall season perfect for fall photoshoots. I love bringing seniors here for sessions.
10. Perry Nature Reserve
The Perry Nature Reserve is another beautiful spot for your senior photoshoot with its creek, woodsy vibe, willow trees, prairie field, and colorful trees in the fall. There so many trees — some of my favorite fall photos I’ve ever taken have been at this location with their trees as a backdrop. At this location, you are also right next to it at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum which can give a more floral backdrop.
That’s a wrap!
Overall, all these locations around Sioux Falls offer something unique for your senior photoshoot. My suggestion is to think about the vibe you want, whether that is in nature with prairie grass or wild flowers or an urban city view and industrial look. You can also choose something that just sounds like a fun idea to you. I’m up for any ideas and can’t wait to connect with you and capture this amazing season you’re in. Additionally, if you want any help with picking a location or outfits, I’m here ready to help and offer any ideas.
More Information on Top 10 Locations:
- Palisades State Park
- McKennan Park
- The Outdoor Campus
- Downtown Sioux Falls
- Lake Alvin
- Landscape Garden Center
- Good Earth State Park
- Riverdale Park
- Perry Nature Reserve
Looking for a photographer for your senior session?
I would be happy to capture those beautiful senior photos for you and create some stunning portraits together. Fill out my contact form linked HERE to get in touch and book a session with me.
There are so many perfect senior photo locations in Sioux Falls, SD!
Whether you’re looking for a more industrial city vibe or beautiful rock formations and fields, there are so many great and diverse options in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area that make for the perfect location for senior photos. I find myself 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 senior photos with yours truly. 😉
1. 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 has so many different backdrops that make for stunning photos. This is my go-to spot for senior photos in mid-August when there is a field full of beautiful wildflowers right before entering the park next to the road. Whether you want the red rock backdrop, evergreen trees, or wildflower field in the summer months, the Palisades has a variety of scenery and overlooks.
2. McKennan Park
McKennan Park has become such a favorite for photoshoots for me each time I visit. This park has something for everyone and is in the middle of a charming historic district in the city. The park is perfect for incorporating florals from their garden into your photos or just getting some beautiful green backdrops. If you are a tennis or basketball player I recommend this location too for some sporty portraits in your session.
3. The Outdoor Campus
The Outdoor Campus is another spot with so many stunning backgrounds for photos any time of year that you visit — especially FALL. This is one of the best spots for getting those colorful fall leaves in the background for your fall photos and also the tall grass. 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.
4. Downtown Sioux Falls, SD
Of course, the city girl in me would pick downtown for the first spot. There are endless hidden gem spots around downtown including city overlooks, scenic rooftops, and the riverwalk. You can’t go wrong in downtown Sioux Falls for your senior photos. Rooftops, historic buildings, museums, CH Patisserie, and coffee shops, are some ideas for a senior session downtown.
5. Lake Alvin
The perfect summer session spot. Lake Alvin will give you tall grass, the beach, rolling hills, and a woodsy evergreen vibe for your senior session. 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 for photoshoots.
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 rolling hills scene 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 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.
6. High School or College Location
Another great location for your senior session is where all the memories of your senior year are, your school. We can get creative with these photos at your high school too and see if we can go to any areas of the school that you spend a lot of time at such as with a club or sport. I’m up for any ideas you have here and it can be fun to include a few props for photos with a sport or club theme. Cap and gowns, basketballs, volleyballs, books, sneakers, and jerseys are a few prop ideas to include.
7. Landscape Garden Center Greenhouse
The Landscape Garden Center is THE spot for green backdrops. If you’re a plant lover like myself, this greenhouse is a must for showing off your love of plants and if you’re open to trying something a little different for your photoshoot. There are so many ways to get creative for your senior session at this greenhouse.
8. Good Earth State Park
Good Earth State Park has gorgeous trails and is the perfect location for seniors who are nature-lovers. I also love this location to get a beautiful country or sunset vibe. The sunsets at this location are so gorgeous. I am a big fan of the winding road that leads you into the park as the location for senior photos to get some creative shots with that winding road.
9. Riverdale Park
This park is such an ideal location for any type of photos but especially senior photos! There is a rustic bridge at this park that makes for a perfect backdrop. Riverdale Park has so many colorful trees in the late fall season perfect for fall photoshoots. I love bringing seniors here for sessions.
10. Perry Nature Reserve
The Perry Nature Reserve is another beautiful spot for your senior photoshoot with its creek, woodsy vibe, willow trees, prairie field, and colorful trees in the fall. There so many trees — some of my favorite fall photos I’ve ever taken have been at this location with their trees as a backdrop. At this location, you are also right next to it at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum which can give a more floral backdrop.
That’s a wrap!
Overall, all these locations around Sioux Falls offer something unique for your senior photoshoot. My suggestion is to think about the vibe you want, whether that is in nature with prairie grass or wild flowers or an urban city view and industrial look. You can also choose something that just sounds like a fun idea to you. I’m up for any ideas and can’t wait to connect with you and capture this amazing season you’re in. Additionally, if you want any help with picking a location or outfits, I’m here ready to help and offer any ideas.
More Information on Top 10 Locations:
- Palisades State Park
- McKennan Park
- The Outdoor Campus
- Downtown Sioux Falls
- Lake Alvin
- Landscape Garden Center
- Good Earth State Park
- Riverdale Park
- Perry Nature Reserve
Looking for a photographer for your senior session?
I would be happy to capture those beautiful senior photos for you and create some stunning portraits together. Fill out my contact form linked HERE to get in touch and book a session with me.
Shania & Pierre / Sioux Falls / 2022
View comments
+ Leave a comment