Stephanie Birch in front of Sacramento's Tower Bridge.
Photo by Eric Courtney

Whether you are new to photography, or a seasoned pro looking for a location to shoot quality portraits, the Sacramento area provides a bevy of options to capture great photographs. There are of course many hot local shooting spots to choose from, but here are five locations that will often yield great images.

Historic Old Folsom: Sutter Street in Old Folsom has been around since the heart of the California Gold Rush, and it still has the nostalgic old-time feel. Today it is an artist’s haven, and populated with many antique dealers. A quick stroll down the three-block strip, and it is easy to understand why your lens cap will quickly find itself in your pocket. The storefronts make great subjects or backdrops for just about any style of photography that interests you. Check out photos of Old Folsom here.

American River Parkway: Sacramento is known as The River City for a reason. The American River is just one of the major waterways that flow through the Sacramento area, and there is no shortage of parks and recreation areas along its shores. Easy access to the river makes it an ideal place for photo enthusiasts looking to get great captures, especially nature and wildlife. If you enjoy a good bike ride, the American River is flanked by a paved bicycle trail that starts in Folsom and ends in Discovery Park (or vice versa depending on the direction you are going). See what others are saying about the bike trail here.

California's Capitol Complex: Surrounded by park area in the middle of downtown Sacramento is the State Capitol Building. The neoclassical style building was built between 1861 and 1874 and based on the design of the capitol in Washinton D.C. Great lines and structure design make this architectural beauty popular with tourists and portrait photographers. While the complex is a fun place to shoot photographs, it is a government building, and security will be enforced if needed. Photographers planning a project on the grounds can acquire a permit inside the entrance (West side). State Capitol Wiki.

K Street Mall: From 7th Street to 13th Street in downtown Sacramento, K Street is considered a Pedestrian Mall. It is a street that has been closed to automotive traffic, and has long since become a shopping area. It is also home to some of the earliest entertainment venues in modern Sacramento that include the Crest and Esquire theaters; both make great backdrops for shooting images. The area is very popular among commercial, lifestyle and fashion photographers, and it is a great place to shoot if you’re looking for a good example of urban environment. K Street Mall News.

Old Town Sacramento: Like Old Folsom, the historical look and feel is the ultimate attraction. Old Sacramento was bustling with activity during the California Gold Rush. It was a major stop on the old Transcontinental Railroad and frequently accessed by riverboat via the Sacramento River. That type of ambiance still remains today. Local portrait and wedding photographers comb the area on a regular basis and tourists can often walk away with a visual memento that far exceeds anything they purchased in one of Old Town’s many nick nack shops. Follow the link for more information on shooting photographs in Old Sacramento.

The locations listed above are by no means the best places to shoot in Sacramento. They are merely areas that have a unique character about them. These areas are what the average photo enthusiast might find interesting in the desire to create quality images, regardless of his or her personal style. Hopefully they can help you capture unforgettable moments as well.

For more info: Sacramento Photographers discuss photo shoot location ideas