Salt Lake City Family Photographer | Urban Mural Family Photo Session
ESTIMATED READ TIME: 6 MINUTES
Utah’s mural scene is one of my favorite things to shoot against, and Nick’s family session is a great example of why. He’d recently relocated to Utah, and when his family flew in to visit, he wanted photos that captured the city itself rather than a typical outdoor setting.
As a Utah family photographer, I get a lot of requests for that natural, scenic look, so it’s always fun when someone wants something different. Nick and his girlfriend scouted locations and landed on a bold floral mural in South Salt Lake, the perfect backdrop for the whole family to come together in.
Downtown Salt Lake City and the Urban Family Photography Movement
When most people think about family photography in Utah, their mind goes straight to mountains, red rock, or golden hour in a field. But there is a whole other world of Salt Lake City family photos that more families should consider. The urban landscape here, the street art, the architecture, the texture, creates a completely different kind of backdrop. It tells stories about this city in a way that a forest just cannot.
If you are trying to schedule a session and wondering whether an urban location could work for your family, the short answer is yes. It works for kids, babies, couples, big multigenerational groups, and every configuration in between. The city does not care how many people you bring.
“Mini” Family Session
Starting at $150
Perfect for holiday cards!
- Session is 10 minutes
- 15 edited images
- $75 non-refundable retainer to book
- Remainder due 2 days before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
“Full” Family Session
Starting at $325
For families of 10 or less!
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 50+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable retainer to book
- Remainder due 2 days before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
“Extended” Family Session
Starting at $450
Perfect for reunions or large groups!
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 70+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable retainer to book
- Remainder due 2 days before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
The Moment That Made Me Cheer
When I arrived and saw the whole family coordinated in black tees and jeans, I audibly said “you nailed it!” The mural they had chosen had an intricate floral pattern with rich colors. In that situation, the worst thing you can do is show up in competing colors and patterns. The best thing you can do is exactly what this family did: keep it simple and let the mural be the art.
Typically, I encourage families to mix in different colors and even some pattern for their family sessions. It adds depth and keeps things from feeling too uniform. But for urban family photography in front of a statement mural? A neutral, cohesive style is almost always the right place to land. The blank slate of their black-and-denim outfits let the floral backdrop pop without anything fighting for visual attention.
Karisa was fantastic! My family and I had a blast doing our outdoor, mural photo shoot. It was quick, painless, and super fun. She even got the photos back to us within days and they all look great. If you’re looking for a fun, easy going, and professional photographer, then please use Karisa Marie Photography.|
GOOGLE REVIEW FROM CLIENT
How We Moved Through the Session
This was a quick, efficient session, and I mean that as the highest compliment. This family knew what they wanted. They were not there to work through a bunch of different pose combinations. They were there to capture their people, document this visit, and get back to enjoying their time together. So that is exactly what we did.
We moved through the full group, then the original family unit, then siblings together, parent-and-sibling pairings, and the couple. Every combination covered. Even with the compact timeline, they walked away with a full gallery of incredible images that they will look back on forever.
A Moment for the Couple
Nick and his girlfriend were one of those couples who make my job easy. Put them in front of a camera and the love just shows up on its own. We moved them through two different sections of the mural, and every shot felt natural, big smiles, genuine connection, that easy energy you can’t really pose for.
The Day Itself: Weather, Light, and a Little Wind
Midday sessions can be intimidating, but on this day we were blessed with beautiful overcast skies. No harsh shadows, no squinting, no chasing golden hour. The sky that day was perfectly soft, the light was even, and we had amazing conditions from start to finish. There was a strong breeze rolling through off and on, which meant we had to wait between shots for the gusts to settle. We worked with it, laughed through it, and it added a little fun to the session.
Why This Kind of Session Matters
By the end, the family said their goodbyes and headed off to keep exploring Utah. And I walked away thinking about how much this kind of family photography does for a visit. It gives you something to hold onto. When the family flies back home, they are going to have a gallery of pictures from the city their son chose, his home, his person, his life here.
Whether your family is coming in from out of state, or you have lived in Salt Lake City or Utah County for years and just have not made it happen yet, I hope this story is the nudge. The city has so much to offer as a location. There is truly nothing like incorporating the place you love into the images you will cherish for decades. I would love to be the photographer who helps you create that.
Ready to Book Your Utah Family Session?
If you are searching for a Utah family photographer who specializes in sessions that feel relaxed, I would love to work with you. Whether you are drawn to the murals of Salt Lake City, the mountains, the red rock, or somewhere you consider one of your own favorite locations, I will help you find the right place and make sure the whole process feels easy from the moment you contact me to the moment your gallery lands in your inbox. Reach out today to get started with planning your own family session!
