Looking for a Murray photographer? You’ve found one. I photograph families, seniors, maternity sessions, newborns, weddings, and branding work throughout Murray and the surrounding Salt Lake Valley. Murray sits right in the heart of the metro area, but it has a personality all its own — tree-lined streets, a walkable downtown along State Street, and Murray Park anchoring the community with its sprawling green space. I make the drive down from Ogden regularly, about 35 minutes on I-15, because Murray clients are some of my favorites and the locations here deliver every single time.
Why Murray is a hidden gem for photography
Murray often gets overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbors, but that’s exactly what makes it great. Tucked between Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and Taylorsville, Murray blends suburban charm with easy access to some of the best scenery along the Wasatch Front. The city’s mature neighborhoods are full of character — big shade trees, quiet streets, and golden light filtering through canopies that photographers dream about.
Murray Park alone is worth the drive. At over 50 acres, it offers ponds, walking paths, open meadows, and enough variety to shoot ten different sessions without repeating a backdrop. And when you factor in the proximity to Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Jordan River Parkway, the range of environments available within a short drive is remarkable. Whether you want urban texture or mountain grandeur, Murray puts you within minutes of both.
I also work with families and couples in nearby Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and Taylorsville — so if you want to mix locations or meet somewhere between, I know the area well.
What I photograph in Murray
Families
Family sessions in Murray are relaxed and real. Murray Park is my go-to starting point — the pond area gives us reflections and greenery, the open fields are perfect for kids who need to run, and the mature trees create natural frames that elevate every image. I focus on genuine moments: the way your toddler grabs your hand, the look between you and your partner when the baby laughs, the sibling chaos that somehow becomes the best photo in the gallery. We’ll get the polished group shot, but the images you’ll treasure are the ones where everyone forgot I was there.
Weddings & Elopements
As a Murray photographer who specializes in weddings, I’ve worked venues across the Salt Lake Valley and know how to make every setting shine. Murray’s central location means your guests can come from anywhere in the valley without a long drive, and the proximity to Big Cottonwood Canyon opens up dramatic mountain backdrops for portraits. From intimate backyard ceremonies on quiet Murray streets to elegant receptions at nearby venues, I bring a calm, documentary approach. My job is to capture what’s real — the emotion, the light, the details — so you can be fully present in your day.
Maternity
Murray’s tree-lined parks and soft evening light create a beautiful setting for maternity portraits. I love working in the quieter corners of Murray Park or along the Jordan River Parkway where the cottonwoods filter the light into something warm and painterly. Sessions work best between 28 and 34 weeks, and I’ll guide you through every pose so you feel confident and gorgeous. Bring a dress that flows and highlights your belly — the backdrop handles the rest.
Newborns
For Murray newborn sessions, I come to your home. New parents have enough going on without loading a days-old baby into a car seat and driving somewhere. I bring simple wraps and minimal props, work with whatever window light your home offers, and move entirely at your baby’s pace. The images focus on the details that fade fast: tiny fingers, sleeping expressions, the way they curl into your chest. Parents and siblings are always part of the session — this is about your whole family in this fleeting, beautiful season.
Senior Pictures
Murray seniors have a fantastic range of options without driving far. Murray Park for classic greenery, the Wheeler Historic Farm for rustic character, downtown Murray along State Street for urban grit, or a quick drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon for alpine drama. I tailor every senior session to reflect who you are — your sport, your art, your vibe. We plan locations, timing, and wardrobe together so the result is a gallery that feels unmistakably yours, not generic senior portraits you’ve seen a hundred times.
Real Estate & Branding
Murray’s mix of established neighborhoods, new developments, and commercial corridors makes it a busy market for real estate and small business. I help professionals present themselves and their properties with clean, honest imagery — headshots that feel approachable, lifestyle branding that tells your story, and real estate photography that makes listings stand out. Whether you’re a Murray-based agent, a shop owner on State Street, or a professional building your brand, I deliver images that are polished without being cold.
Murray photo locations and when they shine
Murray and the surrounding area offer more variety than most people realize. Here are locations I return to again and again:
| Location | Look & Feel | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Park (pond and meadow areas) | Mature trees, reflective pond, open meadows, walking paths | Spring through fall, golden hour |
| Wheeler Historic Farm | Rustic fences, barns, heritage gardens, pastoral charm | Late spring through fall, morning or evening |
| Jordan River Parkway (Murray section) | Cottonwood-lined trail, river views, natural and secluded | Summer and fall, morning light |
| Big Cottonwood Canyon (lower trailheads) | Mountain creek, evergreens, dramatic canyon walls | Late spring through early fall, any soft light |
| Downtown Murray / State Street corridor | Urban texture, murals, brick buildings, city character | Year-round, overcast or golden hour |
| Murray Cemetery (historic section) | Old-growth trees, iron fences, quiet and atmospheric | Fall foliage season, soft light |
This is just a starting point. If you have a place that’s meaningful to you — a favorite park, your backyard, the spot where you got engaged — I’d love to shoot there. Murray’s central location also means we can easily hop to nearby canyons or neighborhoods to get exactly the look you’re after.
Planning your session without the stress
- Wardrobe that photographs well: Soft, muted tones work beautifully — dusty blue, sage, cream, terra cotta, warm grey. Avoid neon colors, large logos, and overly trendy pieces. Coordinate as a family without matching identically.
- Timing that flatters: The Salt Lake Valley golden hour is gorgeous, especially in Murray where the mature tree canopy catches and softens the light. I’ll set our timing based on season and location for the best possible glow.
- Kids, snacks, patience: Snacks are mandatory. A small toy for transitions helps. And the golden rule — let them be kids. Running, twirling, climbing on dad — those shots are usually the ones you frame.
- Movement over stiffness: Walk toward me, pick up your little one, slow dance in the field. Real interaction always photographs better than rehearsed smiles. I give gentle direction, but loosely — because genuine connection is what makes an image last.
For maternity, a fitted or flowing gown photographs beautifully against Murray’s green backdrops. Newborn sessions need almost nothing from you — a warm house, a fed baby, and I handle everything else. Seniors should bring two or three outfits and share their vibe so I can match locations to personality.
My style and what to expect
I shoot with a Nikon Z6III and fast prime lenses, relying on natural light for nearly every session. My editing style is clean, warm, and honest — no heavy filters, no orange skin, no oversaturated skies. Colors look true to life. Skin looks like skin. The light looks like the light that was actually there. Every gallery includes black and white edits, because certain moments carry more weight stripped down to contrast and tone. My goal is photography that feels timeless — images that look as good on your wall in ten years as they do today.
Murray through the seasons
Spring in Murray is lush and fresh — blossoming trees line the residential streets and Murray Park turns impossibly green. Summer brings long golden evenings, warm light through the cottonwoods along the Jordan River, and the kind of heat that makes canyon sessions a welcome escape. Fall is stunning — Murray’s mature trees explode in color, and the mountain backdrop turns golden and amber. Winter brings its own beauty: snow-dusted mountains framing the valley, frosted fields, and the quiet intimacy of an indoor newborn session while the world outside is still. Every season offers something worth capturing, and I plan around the light and landscape to make the most of whatever time of year you book.
Frequently asked questions
- How far in advance should I book? Two to four weeks for most sessions. Weddings, book three to six months ahead to secure your date.
- What if it rains on our session day? We reschedule at no cost. Overcast skies, on the other hand, are some of my favorite shooting conditions — soft, even light that’s incredibly flattering.
- How many final images will I receive? It depends on session length, but typically 30 to 80 fully edited images delivered through your online gallery.
- Do you travel to Murray or is there an extra fee? I drive down from Ogden for sessions throughout the Salt Lake Valley — it’s about 35 minutes on I-15 and there’s no travel fee for Murray.
- Can we bring our dog? Absolutely. Leash for safety, treats for bribery, and patience for everyone. Pets are family and they belong in the photos.
- Do you offer prints and albums? Yes. Lab-calibrated prints, canvases, and heirloom albums are available directly through your gallery.
Book your Murray session
Ready to get started? Reach out here and let’s find the right date, location, and plan for your Murray session. I keep scheduling simple, communication clear, and the whole experience as easy as showing up and being yourself.