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How to Photograph at Antelope Island | Antelope Island Photographer Guide

Antelope Island Photographer Guide

Utah provides many beautiful backdrops for photography! One of my favorite places to photograph at is Antelope Island. This unusual place is very unique to the surrounding area. This island is located west of Syracuse Utah, and North of the Great Salt Lake. It offers a very rocky and grassy terrain surrounded by mud flats. I have created this Antelope Island Photographer Guide to make shooting there not as intimidating.

Best Time of Year to Visit

The best time of year to visit Antelope Island is generally in the spring and in the fall. During the summer the hot weather brings out the bugs. Luckily cause of the terrain, you generally can’t tell which season it is like you could if there were blossoms or trees, so shooting in the spring or the fall generally looks the same. The sun sets over the Western horizon which is pretty much flat (no mountains to fall behind) so the sunset times are pretty true to their projections! Also be warned that this is a popular spot for campers on weekends and hikers on weekdays. On holiday weekends it can get very busy, especially getting in the front gate.

The Bugs

The bugs deserve their own paragraph because they are really that big of a topic. They are biting gnats that come out when the weather gets warmer. I have gone to the island when the bugs are out but not biting, and that is hardly bare-able because they come in SWARMS!! I have photos where you can see the tiny spots all over my couple’s bodies and in the air. Check in local Facebook groups to know about the bugs, and don’t chance it once you start hearing about them. You and your clients will have itchy bites all over your bodies for weeks if you push it!! Even if you are going in the spring and fall, bring some bug spray in case!

The wildlife

You might not know that this island is home to a large herd of buffalo and some large award-wining antelope. They roam openly and you will probably see some buffalo without much effort. Stay away from them. Please listen to all the warnings about wild animals. It is trendy to get a photo with buffalo in the background, but please be aware that these giant animals can go from not paying attention to you to charging you in an instant. I grew up going to Yellowstone and there were stories all the time of tourists getting gored by buffalo that seemed docile. Don’t put you or your clients in any danger.

Where To Go

When you drive into the island, you will drive across a long spit of man made land. Then you will come past a marina on the right. You will see a fork in the road. Heading to the right will take you to the west side of the island, heading left will take you to the east side. The road becomes a large circle around the island.

The terrain is so diverse and in general, mostly the same. The east/south side of the island is considered more grassy and hilly, and the west side has more options for rocky and the salt flats. Be warned that I have seen people get kicked out from walking out in the grass that isn’t on a trail by some of the park rangers that patrol around. Its becoming so popular that they are having to reign in all the photographers. I personally enjoy going down the west side to the Lady Finger trailhead. There are campgrounds on the island as well. In general I enjoy shooting at this first trailhead, but farther down has some amazing trails as well, just in general more of the same look! Don’t be afraid to walk down to the water too!

 

Logistics

The logistics of shooting at Antelope Island aren’t hard. Since it is a state park, there is a $10 fee per car to enter in. I generally meet my clients in the parking lot in front of the toll booth and jump in their back seat. I make sure they have room for me and they are prepared to pay the $10 when we decide on it as a shooting location. Then we can drive in together. There are parking lots around the island for parking and outhouses at most of them.

      

Bonus info

  • This is a super popular place to photograph at so be thoughtful of where other photographers are and don’t lead your clients into their shots!
  • Sometimes it is very windy. Like super super windy. Be sure to warn clients about wearing long enough skirts, using hairspray, etc. and use rocks to block the wind if needed.
  • Wear sturdy shoes. Walking across rocks and muddy sand makes it necessary to wear tennis shoes or something similar. Warn your clients that the mudflats might require some other shoes to walk out there.
  • Bring a shower curtain for brides dresses to protect against the rocks and the wet sand.
  • The sunsets out there are very cool! I generally only shoot for about an hour before sunset so that we can still be there for the sun to dip down!
  • This is just from personal experience, but I’ve seen some less than desirable activities occurring out here on the island while shooting. That includes drug and alcohol use so make sure to stay aware of who is around you and stay safe!

See our favorite sessions from Antelope Island here!

Maternity Session

Engagements

Sunset Bridals

Windy Engagements

Engagements

Formals

March 15, 2018

Kylee Ann Team

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