After booking your photography session, the next step is choosing your location! I'm excited to share some of my favorite Missouri locations for outdoor portrait photography sessions. Perfect for couples, engagements, maternity, family, seniors and pet photography. While I can't guarantee exact replication of any location due to the changing seasons and lighting, the following examples should help give you an idea of what to expect at each location. I'm beginning with St. Charles County Parks.
St. Charles County Locations
Quail Ridge Park, Wentzville, Missouri
Quail Ridge Park is conveniently located near highway 40 and interstate 70. The park has a paved path around a small lake surrounded by wooded trails. On the east side of the lake the path is bordered by tall grasses. A popular location with my clients for the variety of backdrops it offers.
Towne Park, Wentzville, MO
Towne Park, Wentzville
A second St. Charles County park located in Wentzville is Towne Park, located 13 minutes north of Quail Ridge Park on Highway 61. An 1800s historical homestead and features paved and natural surface trails, and a large fishing pond with a dock. In the summer the fields are abloom with wildflowers, the fall features vibrant color and its easy access off the hwy makes it perfect for snow day sessions!
Indian Camp Creek
Indian Camp Creek, Foristell, MO
Next is Indian Camp Creek in Foristell, a 14 minute drive up HWY 61 from Quail Ridge Park. This park has become a favorite of mine for all that it offers. Tall grass fields border the road as you enter the park, an iron bridge spans the creek. The first parking lot gives you easy access to the creek, and the second parking lot borders the parks large lake. Fall foliage is vibrant with orange and reds. The creek is perfect for wading or for those that are more adventurous, sitting and laying! See more on this fabulous park in an earlier blog post.
Indian Camp Creek is perfect for my Pirate and Mermaid sessions! I have a collection of costumes and mermaid tails. These sessions can be booked into early fall depending on the weather!
Klondike Park
Klondike Park
Klondike Park is located off highway 94, just east of Augusta. A go-to for winter sessions, the cedars offer color and of course the beautiful lake, bluff and outcroppings add interest in the winter months. Fall is a stunner with the white beach, fall foliage mirrored in the lake. In summer its lush and green. The park is filled with drama and so many options for photography backdrops.
Busch Wildlife Conservation Area
Busch Wildlife Conservation Area
Busch Wildlife Conservation Area is located just west of O'Fallon. The conservation area has multiple lakes, trails, gravel roads and dirt roads. A pine forest with a short loop trail is magical with the pine littered forest floor and towering pines--perfect for any season. A true country inspired space.
City Centre Park, St. Peters, Missouri
City Centre Park, St. Peters, Missouri
City Centre Park is located off Mexico Road, next to St. Peters City Hall. The park features a large pond bordered by mature cypress trees, a gazebo and a waterfall. It is best to call ahead to see if any weddings are booked.
My Backyard Common Ground, O'Fallon, Missouri
My Backyard Common Ground, O'Fallon, Missouri
My backyard common ground is a great location! I'm located on the southern end of O'fallon, near Winghaven and Barathaven. We have an 11 acre lake, gravel paths, wildflower fields and mown grass trails throughout the tall wildflowers and grasses. One trail goes through a tunnel of trees, perfect for Halloween shoots!
Another mown grass trail widens to a large grassy area, perfect to spread a blanket under a tree for everyone to sit on.
Yet another ideal setup for this location are Clothesline Sessions, sheets pinned to a clothesline attached to two trees. They serve as a prop and a backdrop, a simple, organic look. The area offers more privacy than a public park and offers me the opportunity to setup unique props for clients.
Let it snow! A large evergreen, the trails and lake take on a magical winter scene when blanketed with snow. Come over for a quick shoot!
I offer a popular half in-studio and half outdoor session. Clients begin in my home studio for the first half, then we go to the common ground for outdoor images. For example, a cake smash outdoors and a bathtub session in studio. For my older clients, some portrait work in studio, and a more lighter feel with candids or those dreamy clothesline sessions in the common ground.
To be continued. . .
St. Charles County has many more options for outdoor sessions, these are some of my favorites. I hold a permit for professional photography at our county parks and Busch Wildlife Conservation Area.
More parks to come, including St. Louis County/City and Illinois.
I'm always open to a new location. Tell me your favorites!!
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