If you’ve been scrolling Pinterest looking for summer family photo locations in Utah, chances are you’ve already saved a few dreamy salt flat images. After fifteen years of photographing families across Utah, it’s hands-down one of my favorite places to bring a family in the summer.

Let me tell you why — and then I’ll show you exactly what a session there looks like through the Clark family’s recent shoot.

Why Saltair Makes Magic for Summer Family Sessions

Saltair sits along the southern shore of the Great Salt Lake, and it doesn’t look like anywhere else in Utah. The white salt-crusted ground stretches out for what feels like forever, the light bounces softly off every surface, and on a clear summer evening, the whole place glows. For a family photographer, it’s a dream — there’s no harsh shadows, no busy backgrounds, no distractions. Just your family, the open sky, and that gorgeous dreamy haze.

Here’s why I keep coming back to Saltair for summer family photos:

• The light is unmatched. That salty ground acts like a giant natural reflector. Skin tones look glowing, eyes sparkle, and even in the height of summer, you don’t end up with squinty faces or harsh shadows under the eyes. We shoot near sunset, and the result is that soft, golden, almost-cinematic look you’ve been pinning.
• It feels timeless. There’s no trendy backdrop here — no specific season giving it away, no recognizable buildings dating the photos. In ten years, your Saltair family pictures will still feel current. That matters when you’re investing in art for your walls.
• It works for every family. Whether you have toddlers, teens, or a multi-generational crew, the open space gives everyone room to move. Kids can run, parents can breathe, and we can capture genuine moments instead of stiff poses.
• It’s a Utah hidden gem that doesn’t feel overdone. Yes, more families are discovering it, but compared to the typical mountain or canyon backdrops, Saltair still feels fresh and unexpected.

A Look at the Clark Family Summer Session

The Clark family came to me wanting summer family photos that felt warm, connected, and a little different from what their friends were doing. Saltair was the obvious choice.

We met about an hour before sunset, when the light starts to soften and that magical golden glow takes over. The girls wore a mix of soft whites, navy, and the sweetest floral dress in coral and cream — paired with the parents in sage green and black, plus their son in crisp white and khaki. The whole palette felt like summer in Utah: warm, breezy, and effortlessly coordinated.

What I love most about their gallery is how them it feels. Mom looking down at her daughter mid-laugh. Dad pulling everyone in close. The teenage girls actually smiling at their little brother (a small miracle, honestly). These are the moments families come to me hoping to capture — and Saltair gave us the perfect backdrop to let them unfold naturally. Might be slightly obsessed… but you tell me if it’s warranted!

Planning Your Own Saltair Family Session

If you’re considering Saltair for your summer family photos, here’s what I always tell my clients:

• Book early. Summer evenings at Saltair are limited, and the best window — late June through early September, when the salt flats are dry and dreamy — fills up fast. I typically book summer sessions three to four months out.
• Plan for golden hour. We’ll shoot in the 60–90 minutes before sunset. It’s when Saltair is at its most magical and when the temperature finally becomes bearable.
• Wear what makes you feel like you. Saltair handles soft, neutral, and warm tones beautifully — think creams, soft whites, sage, navy, terracotta, dusty blues, and gentle florals. Skip the bright reds, neon colors, and busy logos. (More on this in a second.)
• Bring water and easy shoes. The salt is bright, the walk in is short but warm, and a little prep makes the whole session smoother.

Grab the Free What to Wear Guide

I know — figuring out what everyone in the family should wear is genuinely the hardest part of booking photos. That’s why I put together my Family Session What to Wear Guide, a free download that walks you through color palettes, coordinating without matching, what photographs beautifully (and what doesn’t), and outfit ideas for every family member.

Download the free What to Wear Guide here → THE GUIDE

Ready to Book Your Saltair Family Session?

If you’ve been waiting for a sign that this is the summer to finally book family photos, consider this it. I have a limited number of summer family sessions available, and Saltair dates always go first.

I’d love to capture your family the way I captured the Clarks — warm, connected, and totally yourselves.

Inquire about your family session here → INQUIRE HERE