Boise Engagement Session Locations for Outdoorsy Couples
As an Idaho wedding photographer, I’ve captured engagement sessions across the state and the PNW. One of my favorite places to shoot is Boise! Most of my couples are outdoorsy types (my kinda people!), so I’ve gotten to know the most scenic spots in and around the city. Today, I’m sharing my guide to the best Boise engagement session locations with you! All of these spots are local to Boise County, pet-friendly, and don’t require a photography permit or parking fee.
Outdoor Boise Engagement Session Locations
Boise River Greenbelt
This scenic recreational area offers an array of backdrops, including tree-lined paths, open meadows, rustic bridges, and flowing water. The Greenbelt is 29 miles long and connects many of Boise’s most beautiful parks! We’ll have access to the Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park, and Veterans Memorial Park, among others. This spot is perfect for couples who want to shoot in a green outdoor location without straying far from downtown.
Downtown Boise
This location offers endless options for personalizing your session! We can shoot in front of the historic architecture at the Idaho State Capitol and the Boise Train Depot, or venture into one of the city’s many green spaces. If you and your partner are local, I also suggest adding one or two of your favorite date spots to the itinerary! Whether you want to grab lattes from the cafe you visited on your first date or French fries from your favorite sports bar, I’m so down.
If an evening session interests you, Downtown Boise offers the opportunity to take photos in front of the softly lit storefronts and neon signs. Or, for a truly unique backdrop at any time of day, we can head to Freak Alley Gallery! As the largest open-air mural gallery in the Northwest, it features works from over 300 artists. It also undergoes a large-scale repainting effort every summer, so the art looks different from year to year.
Boise Foothills
The foothills are just minutes from downtown, but could be hours away from certain angles! The dramatic vistas showcase rolling hills and a panoramic view of the city skyline. You’ll have your pick of locations: there are walking trails crisscrossing the area, some with elevation and some without. Moreover, this spot offers year-round beauty! The hills are vibrantly green in spring and summer, and then soften into a warm gold in the fall. Couples who prefer privacy during their session will enjoy this location.
Boise Parks
Dubbed the “Ribbon of Jewels,” Boise boasts a system of interconnected riverside parks that were developed to protect green space as the city grew. The Arbor Day Foundation designated Boise “Tree City, USA” because of its parks! My favorite parks for photographing an engagement session include:
Kathryn Albertson Park: Situated north of downtown, Kathryn Albertson Park is a 41-acre wildlife sanctuary featuring ponds, fountains, and lush greenery. It’s a beautiful spot in all four seasons!
Esther Simplot Park: This park boasts 23 acres of ponds suitable for fishing, wading, swimming, and paddleboarding. Several pathways wind through the park, with some being dog-friendly.
Veterans Memorial Park: Situated next to Esther Simplot Park, Veterans Memorial Park spans 38 acres along the Boise River. The park's layout and natural surroundings make it ideal for capturing golden hour photos.
Julia Davis Park: Located near downtown Boise, Julia Davis Park is the city's oldest park. It offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural landmarks, making it a versatile choice for engagement photos.
Camel’s Back Park: This park is located at the base of the Boise Foothills. It offers sweeping views of downtown Boise and the surrounding mountains!
Bogus Basin
This spot is located 16 miles from the Boise city limits. But what it lacks in accessibility, it makes up for in sheer beauty! Perched at an elevation of 6,150 feet, it offers panoramic views of the Treasure Valley and the Boise National Forest. You can get there by car year-round and reach several of the most scenic spots with minimal hiking (a bonus when you’re about to be in photos!). We’ll have snowy backdrops to work with in winter, and beautiful wildflowers in spring and summer.
Why Do an Engagement Session?
If you and your partner are camera-shy, have busy lives, or plain don’t feel like it, you may be wondering if an engagement session is necessary. I truly believe every couple should consider doing one! Here are a few reasons why:
Be Yourselves: An engagement session allows you and your partner to exist as two, crazy-about-each-other humans in front of the camera. Don’t get me wrong—your wedding day photos will be full of fairytale magic! But the stress of a wedding day, and all the planning that leads up to it, can wear on you. Loosening up and relaxing in front of the camera is a great way to step away from it all and just be together.
Choose a Meaningful Location: I’m sure your wedding location is pretty dang special. But an engagement session allows you to take photos in the sunny park where you had your first date, the shady street where you rented an apartment together, or the cozy candlelit restaurant where he or she proposed. You won’t want to miss the chance to capture this special place!
Stunning Save-the-Dates: Don’t forget, you have to send these out to ensure all of your loved ones can make it to your wedding! With stunning save-the-dates featuring your engagement photos, you’ll get a spot on just about everyone’s fridge.
Look Like Yourselves: Because engagement photos are more laidback than wedding day photos, you can feel confident that you’ll look like it, too. Wear your favorite sweater and jeans. Put your dog in the car and bring them along. Keep your hair down and your makeup natural. This is the time to be yourself!
In short, engagement sessions are fun! They’re an opportunity to escape the pressures of wedding planning and enjoy an evening with your partner. Plus, you can add meaning to your photos by choosing a significant location for the two of you. Whether you’re drawn to one of the Boise engagement session locations listed above or have a different idea, I’d love to hear about it!