Thank you for booking a Salt Flats session with Veronica Charisse Photography! As a local photographer and native of the area, I know all the best ways to capture your images beautifully.
The Salt Flats are a must-see destination, and there’s no better way to experience them than with professional photos to remember your visit.
You will definitely want to learn about the Salt Flats before trekking out there and you can find out everything you need to know about visiting and having your photos taken below.
Some things to keep in mind when considering the Salt Flats as your location for photos:
Before you leave your House
Beware! Whether you are coming from Salt Lake, Ogden or Provo you are in for a 1.5 hour or more drive each way with limited towns to stop for gas, snacks or bathroom breaks. Be sure to fill up on gas and take a potty break in Tooele or at the Bonneville Speedway Exit.
Getting to The Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats are located about 120 miles from Salt Lake and 10 miles from the Nevada border at Wendover. Prepare for a 1.5-2 hour drive if you are coming from Salt Lake or Provo.
If coming from the east you will exit at Exit 4 and turn right off the exit. This will start you out heading north (with a gas station on your right side). Keep following the paved road, it will curve back heading east. Continue on for 3-4 miles and you will reach a dead-end cul-de-sac where you can park or (depending on the season) drive out onto the salt.
Finding your Way Around The Salt Flats
Unless directed otherwise I will meet you at the dead end in my vehicle. You can text me when you arrive (530) 798-1060 and the vehicle(s) you are in so we can meet up. If the salt is open to vehicles I will have you follow me to the spot we will work in. If not we will walk out the where we need to be.
What you need to Know About the Actual Salt
The Salt can be messy….especially after a good rain. Bring a change of clothing AND shoes just in case so you are not stuck in messy clothing on your ride back home. The salt dries on clothing hard and it can make for an uncomfortable and messy car ride home. I definitely recommend bringing a large trash bag for the soiled clothing and shoes so it doesn’t make its way all around your car. I’m not sure about you but the only salt I want in my car is the salt in your photographs.
Bring a blanket that goes with whatever outfits you choose. I prefer patchwork quilts myself as they photograph beautifully on the salt but bring whatever you have that you like because it will make for seated shots on the salt much more comfy.
The Salt can feel sharp at times (especially if there is water). I prefer barefoot shots myself but you can most definitely wear shoes as well! I recommend bringing an old or cheap pair of flip flops to get around. Trust me this will make it way more comfortable. This also depends on your pain tolerance (sometimes it feels like a good pumice rub at a pedicure).
Plan on heading to the car wash after your session if we drive out on the salt (sometimes we don’t). Ask mentioned the salt is incredibly messy. You will also want to plan on vacuuming the interior of your car because there will likely be salt everywhere. I usually bring some plastic grocery bags to put under my feet to try to mitigate the mess as much as possible.
What to Bring (a Salt Flats Checklist)
Cheap flip flops or old shoes
A blanket to sit on for photographs (choose something that fits your color choices)
Water to drink (especially in the summer)
Snacks (to keep energy levels up; bring the least messy options)
A jacket or coat (in the colder months)
Water to clean the salt off your feet
Lip Balm (to protect lips from the sun or wind)
Change of Clothes
Garbage Bag to keep dirty clothes/shoes
Baby wipes to clean (faces and feet/hands)
Towel to dry wet feet
Sunglasses
Hair Brush
Hair Spray
Hair Ties
Safety Pins
Bobby Pins
Mosquito Repellent (depending on the season, especially at dusk)
Plan for Sun
The Salt Flats are in complete open sunlight! Be prepared for bright sun unless it’s an overcast day.
Plan for Weather
Plan for weather, better safe than sorry! It’s more windy than expected (and colder than you think in the colder months). More times than not, the Salt Flats can be pretty windy! Keep this in mind as you prepare your hairstyles. We don’t get much rain but if it does rain we will continue to shoot unless it’s a downpour and unsafe for you, me or my equipment.
Don’t Miss Sunset!
Be sure to stick around past sunset, the sky frequently turns into a magical pink! Some of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve ever seen have been on the Salt Flats (and trust me, I’ve seen A LOT of sunsets)! We truly have the BEST sunsets!! You are welcome to take all the selfies and personal photos you would like after our session is complete. I ask that you do not do so during the session at it can be quite distracting to those being photographed.
