Why Southern Utah Is One of My Favorite Places to Take Photos

When you think about taking photos in Southern Utah, I can probably guess what comes to mind first. Red rocks. And listen, I love em’ too! I mean, I do live here afterall. But, I would be gatekeeping if I didn’t share that Utah has some pretty epic locations to take photos that are more than red rocks. So, if you want to make sure your couples photos don’t look like every other pookie on Instagram, this post is for you.

Psst. I have a post all about how to not take boring couples photos here.

Looking for Places to Take Photos? Southern Utah Has Way More Than Red Rocks

People are sleeping on Southern Utah. Like, we have a lot more than just red rocks!! Within about 40 minutes of St. George, I can be standing somewhere completely different depending on which direction I drive. Mountains, streams, Joshua trees, lakes, white rocks, wide open fields, weird-ass arches that are all over your Pinterest, the desert, more trees. Basically, you can find places that almost don’t feel like they should exist this close to each other.

Southern Utah Is Basically One Giant Location Scout

I am constantly driving around Southern Utah and mentally filing places away for future photoshoots.

Ohhhh, I need to bring a couple here.

Which is immediately followed by me needing to find the right couple who are down to drive a little farther, wander around with me, and see what we find. Because some of my favorite Southern Utah photo locations aren’t necessarily the obvious ones, and honestly many don’t have any formal “names”. They’re usually tucked between a popular canyon off the side of the road (I promise it’s not sketch). 

4 Best Places to Take Photos in Southern Utah

1. Desert Without the Typical Red Rock Look

There are a few areas around Southern Utah where Joshua trees stretch across the desert and the entire landscape feels wilder. One popular Joshua tree area that I love bringing couples to is roughly a 45-minute drive from St. George. 

Another favorite spot that I love documenting at is this cutie ghost town (Grafton, UT). It feels funky, wild, and very Utah.

2. Location with Water

Gunlock is one of those Southern Utah photo locations that gives us an entirely different landscape, with a reservoir surrounded by desert, sandstone, and mountains. And during years with enough runoff, the area can even get seasonal waterfalls. Anytime I get the chance to bring a couple to the Pine Valley area, just know that I am screaming on the inside because wdym this exists in UTAH?!?

3. White Rocks

I would die on the hill that white rocks are some of the most underrated backdrops in Utah. Southern Utah has these huge areas of pale sandstone that photograph almost white, especially around the Whiterocks area of Snow Canyon and Kolob.

4. And Yes, We Can Still Document the Red Rocks

This is not my formal breakup announcement with red rock I promise. Give me giant cliffs, a sunset, and two people willing to climb around with me and I’m happy. Plus, I’m a little obsessed with the red rocks because duh, they’re red rocks!!

Want to see some more of my favorite spots in Southern Utah for engagement photos? Head to this post. 

Let’s Go Find Somewhere Cool to Take Photos in Southern Utah, Deal?

There are approximately a million photo locations in Utah I still want to explore, and my mental list is only getting longer.

So if you’ve been looking at Southern Utah couples photos and thinking, They’re beautiful, but I want something a little different…Perfect. Tell me what you’re envisioning here.