The Spokane region has no shortage of incredible senior portrait locations. And every senior has their photo setting preference. Some seniors prefer the energy of downtown Spokane, while others would like to just be in the beauty of nature. Other seniors want a mix of both settings or just want to get away for a photo destination adventure!
This guide helps break down my favorite photo spots by setting and versatility. Through this guide, you are sure to find the right Spokane senior portrait location for you.
Section 1: Urban Spokane Senior Portrait Locations
These locations are perfect for seniors who want modern, city, sport or school-spirit inspired photos.
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Your High School Campus or Stadium
If you are in sports, band, clubs or leadership, there is nowhere as personal and meaningful as your own school campus or stadium. Many school stadiums and sports fields require special reservations. As your photographer, I am happy to help navigate scheduling, reservations, and fees with you.
One nice thing about using your school or stadium for a location is that it is often close to another perfect photo location.
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Downtown Spokane Parking Garage Roofs
The Davenport Grand Hotel, The Davenport Hotel, and the Wonder Building (north of Spokane River) are some of the easier to access garage roofs in Spokane. These locations are perfect for city skyline, wide open skies, and urban sunsets. If you have a car to show off in your pictures and want an urban setting, lets talk parking garages.
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Spokane Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park is the 1# place for iconic Spokane views. Between the river, bridges, Pavillion, carousel, Rotary fountain, red wagon and clock tower, there is nowhere that says ‘SPOKANE’ better. Riverfront Park is also nice as it combines urban textures with nature for good photo variety.
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Huntington Park
Located downtown Spokane just north of the mall, Huntington Park is the place to go for a clean modern look. Expect photos with wonderful urban landscaping and Spokane river views set under the Maple Street Bridge. Catching a sunset in Huntington Park is a real treat for any portraits.
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University Gateway Bridge (WSU Spokane Campus)
The University Gateway Bridge is easily Spokane’s most dynamic bridge. Whether the sun is higher or setting, this bridge creates beautiful photo angles and lighting. If your photos are nearby, this is a great second location for adding the bridge and some stairs.
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WSU Spokane or Gonzaga Campus
Downtown Spokane college campuses offer the best of both worlds: ivy walls, sleek modern buildings, bridges, and urban green spaces. If you are planning to go to college or just want a modern architectural backdrop, consider one of these campuses.
Section 2: Natural Spokane Senior Portrait Locations
Seniors who love the outdoors, nature, and golden light will love these stunning natural locations for their photos.
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People’s Park (Downtown Spokane)
The People’s Park is a gem for photo variety featuring a walking bridge over the Spokane River, rocky shores, tall grasses and wildflowers in season. If you hope to do a natural setting and then go to downtown Spokane – this is your spot. One drawback is that this park has become busy with photographers so you may have to wait your turn or be okay with working around other active photo sessions.
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Saltese Flats (Liberty Lake)
Saltese flats is a nature lovers dream. This conservation area features rolling hills of tall grasses, wildflowers in season, a wooden fenceline, beautiful textured rocks along with a Mica Peak backdrop and glowy sunsets. What Saltese lacks is water. Adding Spokane River scenes is super easy by pairing your session with the The Islands Trailhead or another of my recommendations.
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The Islands Trailhead (Spokane Valley towards Liberty Lake)
Similar to the People’s Park in downtown Spokane, this slightly less busy location also features a pedestrian River bridge, beautiful rocky shores, a shallow splashing area, tall grasses and native trees.
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Turnbull Wildlife Refuge (Cheney)
For those preferring to stay in the West Plains, Turnbull is a lovely location for sunsets, unique rock textures, a variety of pathway scenes and open wild landscapes. Looking for gravel road pictures? Turnbull fits that desire.
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Finch Arboretum
Finch Arboretum is Spokane’s fall color mecca. As such it is a great add on location for those fall color senior photos in Spokane. Spring time also offers some lovely blooming trees.
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Manito Park
A Spokane portrait classic, Manito park is filled with lush gardens and formal park settings. Although there are many beautiful photo spots within the park, the park is often crowded during peak photo times. Be ready for an audience and potentially waiting for access to those favorite photo spots.
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Feryn Conservation Area (near Greenbluff)
Feryn Conservation area is great for a short session or an add on location for other north Spokane stops. This area features (really) tall grasses, a gravel road, a wooden fenceline and Mt. Spokane as a backdrop just after sunset.
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Waikiki Springs Natural Area (Near Whitworth)
Waikiki Springs is a lush river walk with tall grasses, a small bridge, and green tree trails. Be prepared as some hiking is required (1.5 miles, 200’ elevation).
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Deep Creek Steel Bridge (West of Spokane)
Another hiking type of location, the Deep Creek steel bridge is a fairly level and easy 1.5 mile roundtrip walk to a scenic old steel railroad bridge. Around the bridge is a sandy river shore and neat Deep Creek canyon views.
Section 3: Premium Destination Locations
Looking to get away from Spokane to some new settings? These premium destinations are my favorite ‘nearby’ photo session adventures. Due to travel and/ or photo permits, please ask about additional fees.
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Mt. Spokane
Sweeping views, winding trails through trees and meadows, wildflowers early to mid summer, glowy sunsets, and incredible fall colors set your senior photos on another level. For fall color, plan on a session in September to mid October. Mt Spokane is meant to be explored so be ready for a 1–2 mile moderate hike with this location.
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Tubbs Hill (CDA) and Resort Docks
Take a short trip over to Coeur d’Alene for beachy lakeside views, docks, rocky or sandy shorelines, and green trees. This location is perfect for those lovely summer dresses. Tubbs Hill is best mid may through mid October as the wet season brings muddy trails.
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Hawk Creek Falls &/or Two Rivers Resort Marina
Hawk Creek Falls is a scenic, beautiful and peaceful getaway. The Hawk Creek Falls come through basalt cliffs into a decent size pool before continuing downstream to the Columbia River. In addition to the falls, the area features a stream to a Columbia River inlet, tall grasses, wide hills, and long sandy beaches. , and a white fence line.
Two Rivers Resort is located on the shores of the Columbia. This is an opportunity to incorporate wide water in photos, a white fenceline, and perhaps some photos on the docks – pending permission.
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Priest Lake, Idaho
Priest Lake is an incredibly beautiful and clear lake surrounded by mountain peaks. Any trip to Priest Lake is a treat, especially for your senior pictures. Our stops at Priest Lake will include long sandy beaches, tree-lined shores, and mountain views. Interested in some dock photos, let’s make it happen.
It is best to plan Priest Lake photos before school is out in the spring or after school has started in the fall. Planning on weekday evenings also helps with crowds during the summer but large groups of people will be unavoidable mid-late June through the end of August.
Section 4: Choosing the Perfect Combo of Spokane Senior Portrait Locations
Your photographer will have different preferences and recommendations for approaching location selection so be sure to ask them. My recommendation is to choose 1 non-hiking location with lots of variety for any session under 30 minutes. For 60 minute sessions, plan on one or two locations within 15-20 minutes of each other. For sessions over 90 minutes, plan on 2-3 locations while keeping total travel time under 40 minutes. When planning a combination of locations, look for opportunities to add variety to your photos. Try nature + urban. Water + dry lands. Sports + nature/ urban.
Conclusion
Your senior photos should feel like you — whether that’s the streets and buildings of downtown Spokane, wildflower and grass filled fields, or rocky shores at sunset. Each of these Spokane senior portrait locations offers its own unique feel. The best choice for you is the one that captures your personality, passions, and style.
If you don’t know where to start, I am happy to help you plan your perfect session dates, locations and times. Working with me, you can expect your entire portrait experience to run smoothly from first communication to a fun and relaxed session to final photo delivery.
Found your favorite Spokane senior portrait locations and need a photographer? Let’s do this together!
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