las vegas wedding photo tour

Las Vegas Boulevard engagement photo by Exceed Photography

Incredibly photogenic and incredibly varied, Las Vegas is a great place to do your engagement photos or an anniversary session, even if you don’t plan on getting married there. But, where to start? Consult your photographer, of course, but here are some selections organized by theme to give you some ideas for the variety that can be had. Woodsy, arty, magazine-worthy, retro Vegas, snow or desert – all those and more are covered below. I’ve even made a map to visualize where there spots are. And be sure to add your favorite in the comments if I missed it!

General Tips:

Some hotels are not open to having photographs taken on their property. Going against popular belief (and more than one casino security guard) it is not actually illegal to shoot in any casino but that doesn’t mean you won’t run into trouble or situations. It’s not doing any other photographers favors to be crabby about it with security who don’t know otherwise. Consult with your photographer on their comfort level and past experiences at that particular property, and if the benefits outweigh the troubles for you, your photographer and the photography industry in Las Vegas.

If you are going The Strip route, remember that it can take a long time to walk from property to property. Bring comfy shoes and schedule time with your photographer accordingly.

Many of these photography locations listed have additional fees, permits and restrictions. Please consult with the site directly for the most updated information and costs. Of particular note are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owned areas -  this includes a large swath of the photo sites below including the Jean Dry Lake Beds and Red Rock Canyon. Again, please consult your photographer to find out if they have a permit and insurance to shoot in these areas, or if they have experience with shooting there. Information the rules of shooting at BLM spots are found here.

Finally you might consider making your photo shoot pop by renting some vintage props or furniture. A well placed settee in the desert can have real visual impact and make the shoot less awkward. Try this list of 5 Unique Vegas Event Styling Companies for rental ideas. You could also consider renting a car – it makes a great prop in photos as you pose in it and around it! Dream Car Rentals offers high end sports cars and classic vehicles perfect for your photo session!

Consider the time of day and time of year for the venue you are interested in! Some venues like Fremont Street Experience are great, but are truly really only empty in the wee wee hours. Also, have you ever tried to look comfortable shooting in the desert in the winter? There’s a reason models get paid well, just sayin’.

The most important: I’m no expert. Find a mistake? Have a comment? This list is always in flux and growing, so please feel free to leave a comment below with your favorite spot or shoot me an email kelly AT littlevegaswedding DOT com


unusual engagement photos vegas

Music inspired engagement shoot at Valley of Fire by Renaissance Studios Photography

Desert Landscape

These locations feature cracked and dry lake beds, dusty colors, fantastic sunsets and amazing geological features!

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A bird and nature filled engagement session at Floyd Lamb Park by Gaby J Photography

Nature/Gardens

These nature filled spots focus on trees, flowers, landscaping, greenery and even wildlife in the background of your photos.

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo LocationsTivoli Village

European

Unique architecture, cobblestone streets, colors and detailing straight out of a European cityscape

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo Locations

Some of the graffiti near downtown Las Vegas

rainbow las vegas engagement photos
Photo outside the Smith Center courtesy Lorenz Foto

Colorful

These photo spots are bright, wild and not easily forgotten

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo Locations

The letters and typography at World Market Center make for some great engagement photo opportunities if your initials are in this sign!

Architectural / Modern

Fantastic structures with one of a kind architectural features, from futuristic to Art Deco!

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo Locations
Old school Caddy and the lights at the Plaza Photo: W. Scott Chester Wedding Photography

Neon & Lights

“Bright light city gonna set my soul / Gonna set my soul on fire” – Elvis Presley, “Viva Las Vegas

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo Locations

Some of the great signs along Fremont Street (great alternative to the expensive fees at Neon Museum)

Old School Vegas

City scapes straight out of the classic era of Las Vegas

  • The Neon Museum – $150-600 (discounted rate for locals, rates higher on Saturdays) 
  • Fremont Street and Fremont Street Experience
  • Old Vegas Lights at the Plaza
  • Mob Museum - Photo shoots must be set up with sales at the museum

wynn-engagement006

Wynn and Encore Las Vegas offer some luxurious colors and decor, like in this engagement shoot from Brilliant Imagery 

Casinos + Iconic Vegas Shots

So many amazing hotels and casinos with so many amazing photo opportunities – this part of the list is not comprehensive. Be aware some casino properties are more open to being shot on than others, and not all like the “gambling” shots to be taken

and more!

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo Locations

The Arts District is full of warehouse architecture and art, near downtown Las Vegas

Artsy / Graffiti / Urban Landscape

Looking for funky, urban and well, arty? Head to the Arts District an up and coming area of downtown Las Vegas packed full of amazing photo opportunities within a few blocks radius

western wedding las vegas
Get your western fix at McKee Ranch! Photo by The Emerics

Western

taylored wedding memories desert elopement

From an elopement at Red Rock Canyon photographed by Taylored Photo Memories 

Mountainous

lake las vegas wedding kmh photography

Gorgeous wedding photo taken at Lake Las Vegas by KMH Photography

las vegas wedding photo tour

Photos shot by the 50 foot waterfall at The Shoppes at the Palazzo by Exceed Photography

Watery

Oases in the desert – lakes, fountains and water feature backgrounds

taylored photo memories nelson ghost town elopement wedding photography

Nelson Ghost Town (Eldorado Canyon) has some amazing photo opportunities, including a crashed plane prop used in a movie, vintage signage and buildings! Photo: Taylored Photo Memories

Unique/Other

Not easily categorized, these are special locations that might appeal to specific couples with particular hobbies or looking for a very personal kind of photo that just screams them

Unique Vegas Engagement Photo Locations Italian inspired architecture around Lake Las Vegas

What’s your favorite option for a Vegas engagement session? With so many hidden gems we likely missed it, so leave your thoughts in the comments! 

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Here is a Handy Dandy Map of All Spots Discussed: 

NOTE: Locations marked on the map are approximate and for demonstrative purposes only.

[iframe src=”http://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/1/view?mid=zE-hyH47MzwA.kivDsEUDzPYQ” width=”550″]

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  2. john

    As a photographer and a security guard for MGM Resorts , you are right, it is not against the law to take pictures in a casino but it is against our policy and having that the casino is private property, refusal to stop taking photographs will get you trespassed from all MGM properties and therefore you can get arrested for trespassing if you continue to refuse to depart after being duly warned and arrested anytime you come back on property.

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