outdoor locations

Locations are tricky when it comes to Las Vegas, the desert can provide some beautiful canvases for photos but its not your lushest green east coast scenery. Below are the places I have personally experienced and photographed at, however I am always welcome to suggestions as new places would be wonderful to discover.

VALLEY OF FIRE

This is by far my favorite location to shoot at, the colors and natural scenery are breathtaking. The best time of yea to shoot here is March or October, of course the weather can be monitored for other times of year depending on what your needs/wants are for the shoot.
(NOTE: There is a $50 additional permit fee to shoot here)

NELSONS GHOST TOWN

This is a favorite, with old buildings, cars and random aged collectibles it makes for a wonderful shooting location. Its very desert and very vintage. There are over 60 old cars, trucks, buses and of course a perfectly isolated street. Its located about 20min south of Boulder City. You would just hop on the 95S and turn right past the Railroad Pass Casino, just before you enter boulder city there is a turn off to go towards Laughlin/Searchlight. About 10min down you will see a road to your left called Nelsons Road. Follow that road to the Texaco sign! (NOTE: There is a $10/hour fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Nelsons Ghost Town.

THE ORCHARD

This is one of my favorite locations to shoot at, but time of year is very important. This orchard is located North and the images are breathtaking. (NOTE: there is a $50/hour fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at the Orchard.

BOULDER BEACH

This location is in Boulder City. (NOTE: There is a $20/car fee to have access to this location) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at the Boulder Beach.

JOSHUA TREES/CACTUS

The deserts on the way to the Mountain are beautiful. Wide open space and lots of nature. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Joshua Trees/Cactus.

FREMONT/CONTAINER PARK

If you are wanting a fun “Vegas” themed shoot, Fremont and Downtown Container Park provide a unique experience. Here are a few shots from my shoots on Fremont.

LAKEMEAD

The deserts on the way to Lake Mead are beautiful. (NOTE: There is a $20/car fee to have access to this location) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Lake Mead.

DRY LAKE BED

This is a hard shooting location, but so beautiful. There are several dry lake beds, but the one I go to is on the way to Nelsons. Its located about 10min south from Boulder City. You would just hop on the 95S and right past the Railroad Pass Casino, just before you enter boulder city there is a turn off to go towards Laughlin/Searchlight. Take that about 10min and on your right you will see a turn off into a dry lake bed, usually isolated or people riding dirt bikes. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Dry Lake Beds.

LAKE LAS VEGAS

This is a popular location and really easy to get to. Take the 215 S into Henderson, staying on the 215 until it become Lake Mead. Keep going east until you see the big Lake Las Vegas sign and turn Left. After the first round about you will see Monte Lago Casino (which is currently closed) but you will park in the parking garage and follow the signs down into the village. There are waterfalls, a lake of course, grass, fountains, bridges, stone, and a Gazebo. Its also one of the only locations to have a 50 ft tree to photograph in front of for Christmas! (NOTE: there is a $50/family fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Lake Las Vegas.

WETLANDS

This is a huge, hidden jewel. The wetlands are HUGE and consist of trees, water, and more trees. Its an interesting place with lots of potential. Its located off Boulder Hwy and Tropicana, to which you would follow the signs to the main visitor center and can enter the park in many ways. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Wetlands.

MTN CHALESTON

This is our major mtn range in Las Vegas, LOTS of trees, grass, trees, rocks, trees and more trees. Its located North of Las Vegas on Kyle Canyon Road. Best time to shoot in Mtn are June-Sept. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Mtn Charleston.

FLOYD LAMB/TULE SPRINGS

This is a park, with paid entry, north of Las Vegas off Durango and the 95. Its one of the only locations to see huge leaves in the Fall/Winter. This is a big park, but the best shooting area is in the first parking lot with the buildings, gazebo, white fence, and bridge. There are also peacocks and geese that run wild, so its beautiful. (NOTE: There is a $6/car fee) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Floyd Lamb/Tule Springs.

CALICO BASIN

This is a fun location and provides lots of shade and beautiful light. Its located 10min from the 215/Charleston, westbound. You’ll see signs for Calico Basin and you’ll park in the Red Springs parking lot. There is a meadow with either dead grass or tall grass which is surrounded by a wooden bridge. The view of the red rocks in beautiful here. There are bathrooms and walking paths as well as picnic tables. (NOTE: there is a permit fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Calico Basin.

SPRING MTN RANCH

This is another paid park, but a fun place to take pictures. There is a big grassy field, white fence, lake, bridge, and lots of nature. Its located 5 minutes from Bonnie Spring. (NOTE: There is a $50 permit fee to shoot here) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Spring Mtn Ranch.

RED ROCK CANYON

This is a little bit of a hike, but is 3 min from Calico Basin. Once you arrive you have to park and walk about 15min to get to these amazing rock formations. Its worth the hike. (NOTE: there is a permit fee to shoot here, currently $200) Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Red Rock Canyon.

SMITH CENTER

This is located downtown near the Las Vegas Outlets on East Charleston. Its a very small area but provides a fun urban location for shooting unique pictures. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots at Smith Center.

DOWNTOWN

This is a fun place located in downtown Las Vegas. Its provides a more urban, fun, hip and colorful place for photographs of any kind. Here are a couple of samples from my shoots DOWNTOWN.