Wedding photos are something you and your future spouse will treasure forever, so picking a wedding photographer and figuring out where to take great photos is no small feat. A great photographer will certainly have a list of favorite spots, but as the happy couple, you should come prepped and ready to suggest your own locations that truly match your love story! Let’s take a look at some of the best spots for wedding and engagement photos in Lake Tahoe as well as some tips to help you capture photos you’ll truly love!
Best wedding and engagement photo spots in Lake Tahoe
There’s no shortage of beautiful locations in Lake Tahoe to snap some amazing engagement photos or wedding day photos! Share your photo inspiration with your photographer, and talk through any preferred photoshoot sites you have ahead of time. That will give your photographer plenty of time to scope out the area, and find the perfect shots for you!
Sand Harbor
Located on the eastern shores of Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor is quintessential Tahoe. There are beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, unique rock formations, and gorgeous trees. Plus, it’s a great spot for kayaking and paddleboarding if you want to capture some unique pictures in the water!
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Bonsai Rock
Bonsai Rock, located on Lake Tahoe’s Nevada shore, gets its name from four little trees growing out of a unique rock formation. It’s a bit of a drive but can result in some awe-inspiring shots you’ll be proud to show off for years to come.
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Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm
Emerald Bay provides some great trails, lake, and mountain views with easy access that make it a popular spot for photos. There are all sorts of unique spots and hidden gems! Plus, you can snap some photos next to a real-life castle, Vikingsholm, which was built in the 1860s. Talk about a timeless wedding photo!
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Eagle Falls
If gorgeous waterfall photos are your thing, then Eagle Falls is the place to go. It’s a bit of a hike, but so worth it! Plus, there’s plenty of lush vegetation and unique rocks along the way to add some Tahoe beauty to your photos as well.
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Tips For Great Wedding Photos
Alright, now that you know where you want to go to get some great shots, it’s time to actually do it. Here are a few tips to make the wedding day or engagement photos go smoothly!
Research your photographer
When it comes to picking a Lake Tahoe wedding photographer, it’s important to do your homework. Your wedding photos can’t be redone or replaced, so it’s important to work with someone you trust and who shoots in the style that you want. The more research you’re able to do on your photographer, the higher the chances you’ll be happy with the final product.
- Check out their online galleries and social profiles to get an idea of style, skill level, and personality.
- Check customer reviews for any potential warning signs or questions you should address (but, of course, take them with a grain of salt).
- Ask for references.
- Schedule a video or in-person consultation. This will allow you to see how you click before the big day.
- Work with one of your venue’s “preferred” photographers. Many of our Lake Tahoe wedding venues, including Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel and Valhalla Historic Estate have a list of photographers they’ve had good experiences with. You can also reach out to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority for recommendations and insights as well!
Schedule an engagement session
If it’s in the budget, we definitely recommend scheduling an engagement session with the photographer you plan to have shoot your wedding photos. Many photographers even offer special packages and discounts when you bundle engagement and wedding photos together.
Engagement photos give you a chance to really see what a photographer is like in action and get a taste of how they operate, which is so important. It can be nerve-wracking to get in front of the camera, so this will give you a chance to build a rapport with your photographer and practice for the big day when things are a little less chaotic. Engagement photos are also a great way to document your love in a less formal setting. You won’t be in your wedding day attire, so you can show off the more relaxed side of your love story! If you’re looking for wedding photos in a really rustic or hard-to-reach spot, your engagement photo session is a great practice run for what your wedding day adventures will really be like.
Read contracts carefully
Contracts are meant to protect both you and the photographer, so be sure you read and understand it before signing. As we continue to navigate COVID-19, it would be prudent to pay special attention to cancellation, rescheduling, and refund policies and negotiate if need be.
Capture the individual beauty of your venue
While Lake Tahoe’s beautiful mountains and crystal clear waters provide no shortage of stunning outdoor scenery, don’t forget to take advantage of your wedding venue for some one-of-a-kind photo opportunities as well!
For example, you can get some memorable photos in front of the two-story-tall guitar at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe or some one-of-a-kind shots from the Grand Rooftop Terrace at The Landing Resort & Spa. The Beachfront Tent at the Beach Retreat & Lodge and the Tahoe Paradise two-story yacht at Zephyr Cove create some magical wedding day photos. Show off your kid-at-heart nature at the on-site mini-golf course as Tahoe Ridge Resort! The sky is the limit when it comes to telling your love story, so work with your venue and your photographer to find the right backdrop for your shots!
Collaboration is key
Working collaboratively with your photographer will guarantee you get the photos you want and that you’ll be happy with the final product. Do your homework ahead of time, and be prepared to take direction from the professional photographer as well!
- Remember that your photographer is the expert, so trust them to take the lead and pose you as they see fit.
- Start a scrapbook or online Pinterest board so you can show your photographer some of your favorite poses, ideas, and locations. This will help them visualize and plan for some of the shots you want while still putting their artistic touch on it.
- Discuss your family and other key wedding guests ahead of time so the photographer can plan ahead to schedule all the shots you need.
- Asking questions and having discussions ahead of time will help minimize confusion and stress on your wedding day.
Have necessities on hand
You want to make sure you look and feel your best in your wedding photos. The last thing you want is to be sweaty or dealing with smeared makeup. With that in mind, it’s important to be prepared and have all the necessities on hand.
- Have a fully-stocked wedding kit complete with deodorant, extra socks, tissues, makeup, extra bobby pins, hair spray, stain removers, and more to make sure you’re camera-ready.
- While the photographer may have a selection of props available, if you want something specific or personal, like a sign, make sure it’s ready-to-go so you don’t hold things up.
- Bring some hiking shoes. Some of the best spots in Tahoe can be a bit of a hike to get to. Brining some boots or hiking shoes will help keep you comfortable and allow you to score some amazing shots.
We hope you found these tips helpful as you start planning your big day. We’d love it if you’d share some of your amazing Lake Tahoe wedding photos with us on Facebook or Instagram!
Of course, if you’re still looking for a great wedding venue in Lake Tahoe, we’ve got you covered there too! Check out all of our amazing Lake Tahoe wedding venues.
