Summer family sessions
When the valley is at 108 degrees, the mountain is in the 80s. This is the only comfortable outdoor family location in Las Vegas from June through August.
Mount Charleston portraits with pines, cool air, and altitude
Forty-five minutes from the valley and a completely different Nevada.
Why Mount Charleston works
Mount Charleston is the version of Las Vegas nobody expects. Ponderosa pines, aspen stands, meadows of yellow rabbitbrush, real autumn color in October, and snow on the ground through much of the winter, all within about a 45 minute drive of the northwest valley.
The altitude keeps it far cooler than the city, which makes it the answer for summer sessions when the valley floor is unusable. Kyle Canyon, the meadows, and the lodge decks each give a different look, so a single session can move from forest to overlook without a long drive between stops.
Mount Charleston photo sessions
Maternity, family, wedding, and portrait work photographed on the mountain and in Kyle Canyon.
Sessions that fit Mount Charleston
Maternity and portraits
Backlit meadows and tall pine trunks give maternity and personal portraits a soft, quiet quality you cannot get in the desert.
Elopements and small weddings
Forest clearings, canyon overlooks, and lodge decks cover a ceremony and portraits in one location. Coverage starts at two hours.
Planning your Mount Charleston photo session
Best time of year
Late September through October brings aspen color. Winter brings snow, summer brings relief from the heat, and the meadows go gold in early autumn.
Dress for the altitude
Plan on 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the valley, with wind in the open meadows. Layers, closed shoes, and a coat you can slip off between frames.
Drive time and road conditions
Roughly 45 minutes from the northwest valley on Kyle Canyon Road. Winter storms can bring chain or closure restrictions, so we always keep a backup date in mind.
Where we meet
I choose between the canyon meadows, the forest, and the overlooks based on your session and the season, then send an exact meeting pin.
Mount Charleston session questions
How far is Mount Charleston from Las Vegas?
About 45 minutes from the northwest valley, and closer to an hour from the Strip. Sessions are scheduled with that drive built into the timing.
Can we photograph in the snow?
Yes, and it is one of the best reasons to come up here. We watch the forecast together and keep the plan flexible if the road conditions change.
How long is the session?
Family sessions run 60 minutes. Couples and portrait sessions run 30 minutes. Elopement and wedding coverage starts at two hours. Boudoir runs 60 minutes or more, depending on the location and the style you are after. Newborn sessions also run 60 minutes, but they are photographed indoors, at the studio or in your home.
When will we get our photos?
For most sessions your finished gallery is delivered within 72 hours through a private online gallery.
Book a Mount Charleston session
Pines, cool air, and light that behaves nothing like the valley floor.
Book a session