An engaged Boise couple stands together in a dimly lit room, holding hands next to each other. Their silhouette is overlayed with large, out-of-focus yellow lights, creating a dreamy, romantic effect in the foreground with this double exposure effec

A black-and-white photo of a couple walking hand in hand through a grassy field, in the Boise Foothills. There is tall grass in the foreground and an open sky in the background. The image is slightly blurred, giving a dreamy effect.

A woman in a black and white split dress with a white bow, holding flowers, stands in a record store and smiles at the camera. Vinyl records fill the shelves around her, and a man browses nearby.

Two people hold hands in front of record store shelves filled with vinyl records. One person has tattoos on their arm. The photo is black and white and taken from a low angle, focusing on their hands.

A silhouetted couple stands close together in front of illuminated pinball machines in a dimly lit arcade, creating a romantic and playful atmosphere.

A couple stands in a sunlit field at sunset, with the woman hugging the man from behind. Both appear relaxed and content, surrounded by grass and bushes, with trees and hills in the background.

A couple walks hand in hand on a sidewalk. The man wears a patterned shirt and dark pants, while the woman, with visible tattoos, wears a black and white dress and looks back, smiling. The scene is in black and white.

Sam and Michael wanted engagement photos that were anything but typical. Their vision? A perfect blend of downtown Boise culture and the natural beauty of the foothills. As a couple with unique interests, their session perfectly captured their personalities - Michael's 10+ years in the Boise music scene with frequent visits to The Record Exchange and Shriners, alongside Sam's love for the Boise Foothills and local hiking spots.

Black and white photo of a sidewalk beside a building with a hanging sign that reads "Record Exchange." Tree branches partially frame the image, and the street appears quiet and empty.

Two people with tattoos on their arms browse through vinyl records in a record store. One wears a white dress and the other a patterned shirt. The scene is in black and white.

A smiling woman with colorful tattoos browses vinyl records in a store, while a man with a mustache and patterned shirt stands beside her, also looking at the records.

A couple sits closely together on the floor of a record store, smiling at each other beneath a glowing neon "RECORDS" sign, surrounded by shelves of vinyl albums.

Two people smile and pose together between record store aisles, surrounded by vinyl albums. The scene is in black and white and has a relaxed, joyful atmosphere.

A couple stands closely together in a record store, surrounded by vinyl albums. The woman in a two-toned dress holds a bouquet of yellow and white flowers, while the man hugs her from behind. Both appear happy and affectionate.

A couple stands close together in a record store, surrounded by vinyl albums, under a large neon “RECORDS” sign glowing in orange. They are both smiling and holding a bouquet of yellow flowers.

Downtown Meets Vinyl: The Record Exchange Session

Our photo adventure began at The Record Exchange, a Boise landmark for music lovers. Sam arrived wearing a striking split black and white linen dress, while Michael sported a shirt with unusual characters. Sam had just returned from visiting family in the Midwest, bringing fresh energy to their session.

The Record Exchange provided an amazing backdrop with colorful album covers, vintage neon, and musical instruments, creating a vibrant setting for their engagement photos. The couple browsed through vinyl records, sharing laughs and stories about their favorite moments in downtown - creating natural, joyful moments to photograph.

A smiling woman with long brown hair sits close to a man with a mustache and shaved head, who is wearing a patterned shirt and has his eyes closed, both looking happy and relaxed indoors.

A couple with visible tattoos sits closely together at a table, sharing a kiss. The person on the left wears a dress, and the person on the right wears a short-sleeve, patterned shirt. The photo is in black and white.

Close-up of two people holding hands. One person has a tattooed arm and is wearing rings, while the other is wearing a shirt with artistic human figures printed on it. A light-colored blanket is draped over them.

Unexpected Surprises at Shriners

After capturing great shots at The Record Exchange, we moved to Shriners, an eclectic club in Boise. Though we didn't expect any events that evening, we stumbled upon a Latin ballroom dance exhibition! This unexpected twist added extra flair to their engagement photographs.

The fun continued with an impromptu pinball match. The club's distinct decor offered fantastic photo opportunities throughout the building. A highlight? The backroom full of newsbills - a quirky detail that matched Sam and Michael's desire for unconventional engagement photos.

A black and white, slightly blurred photo of a smiling couple playing a pinball machine together; the man stands behind the woman, both with tattooed arms and appearing happy and engaged.

A black and white photo of a tattooed hand resting on the edge of a pinball machine, with blurred lights and machine details visible in the background.

downtown-boise-meets-boise-foothills-spring-engagement-17.jpg

A couple sits closely together on a vintage couch in a dimly lit room, illuminated by a floor lamp. Posters cover the wall behind them, and a table with flowers sits in the foreground.

A black and white photo shows two people sitting close together, with their hands gently resting on each other's arms and legs. One person has tattoos and wears several rings. The atmosphere is intimate and calm.

A woman in a white dress sits on an orange couch, with a man resting his head on her lap. Warm light from a lamp illuminates the cozy, intimate scene.

A woman with tattoos gently embraces a seated man, resting her hand on his shoulder as they gaze at each other lovingly in a dimly lit room with posters on the wall.

Sunset in the Boise Foothills

We capped off the evening with a trip to the beautiful Hillside to Hollow Reserve in the Boise Foothills. Sam amazingly hiked the trails in high heels - a testament to her adventurous spirit!

The golden sunset light streaming through the sagebrush created a magical atmosphere for the final part of their session. The contrast between the urban settings earlier and the natural landscape of the foothills perfectly reflected the couple's diverse interests.

We spent time talking about Sam’s dreams of one day having a plant garden as amazing as the owner of Trica’s, who has spent over 20 years building his collection!! As a self-described "type B person," Sam goes with the flow and loves creative activities, which showed in how relaxed and natural she was throughout the entire photoshoot.

A couple stands closely together in a sunlit field of tall grass and shrubs at sunset, holding a bouquet of flowers, with trees and a distant horizon in the background.

A couple stands close together in a sunny field, holding hands and smiling at each other. The man holds a bouquet of yellow and white flowers; the woman wears a black dress and has long hair and visible arm tattoos.

A couple stands outdoors in a sunlit field, smiling as they lean in to touch noses. The man wears a patterned shirt and the woman has long brown hair and a tattoo on her upper arm. Green trees and bushes are in the background.

A woman smiles and holds a man's face with both hands as they laugh together outdoors. The man is bald with a mustache; both have tattoos. The background is blurred, showing nature. The image is in black and white.

5 Tips for Your Own Unique Downtown Boise Engagement Session

Mix Indoor and Outdoor Locations - Combining urban and natural settings creates variety in your photos.
Wear Versatile Outfits - Choose clothing that works in multiple settings, or bring a change of clothes. Bonus points for choosing something that screams you (just like Sam + Michael 😉).
Check Event Calendars - While surprises can be fun, knowing what's happening at venues like Shriners can help with planning.
Bring Comfortable Shoes (or a Change of Shoes) - Especially for the foothills portion! (Unless you're as brave as Sam in those heels.)
Plan Around the Light - Schedule your foothills photos during golden hour for that magical sunset glow.

Looking for more engagement location ideas? Check out my guide to 5 favorite Boise engagement session locations.

A man in a patterned shirt and a woman in a white dress stand together in a sunlit field at sunset, surrounded by soft golden light and lens flare. The man faces forward with hands on hips; the woman looks down, smiling gently.

A person with a tattooed arm hugs another person from behind, their hands resting on the front person’s stomach. Both wear rings, and the front person wears a patterned shirt with nature-themed designs.

A woman in a long dress hugs a man from behind as they stand in a grassy field. The man looks ahead while the woman smiles with her eyes closed. Sunlight shines down, creating a peaceful and serene scene.

A couple stands in a grassy field at sunset, with their backs to the camera. The person on the left is bald, and the person on the right has long hair. They are embracing as they look out over the landscape.

A couple stands in a sunlit field surrounded by bushes and hills, sharing a kiss. The sun is low in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the landscape.

FAQ: Record Exchange, Shriners, and Boise Foothills Engagement Photos

How long does a multi-location engagement session take?

A session with three locations like Record Exchange, Shriners, and the Boise Foothills typically takes 2-3 hours, allowing plenty of time at each spot.

Can we bring props to our engagement session?

Absolutely! For a Record Exchange session, bringing favorite albums or music-related items adds a personal touch.

What's the best time of day for Boise Foothills photos?

The golden hour just before sunset offers beautiful light and makes the foothills glow. This timing is perfect for ending your multi-location session.

Do we need permits for these locations?

The Record Exchange and Shriners typically require advance permission for professional photography. Most Boise Foothills trails don't require permits for small photo sessions, but it's always good to check current rules.

What if it rains on our scheduled day?

We'll have a backup plan! The Record Exchange and Shriners work great as indoor options, and we can reschedule the foothills portion if needed.

A couple sits together in a grassy field, bathed in warm, golden sunlight with soft, misty light rays streaming through the scene, creating a dreamy, tranquil atmosphere.

A person with a tattooed arm forms a heart shape with their hands, framing a bright object, possibly the moon, in the evening sky above a blurred natural landscape.

A black and white photo of two people embracing closely. One person has tattooed arms, including the word "Love" and floral designs, and both wear rings. Their faces are mostly out of frame.

A couple sits closely together outdoors, gazing into each other’s eyes and smiling. The woman has long hair and visible tattoos on her arms. The image is in black and white, with blurred natural scenery in the background.

A couple sits on the grass in a field at sunset, facing each other and laughing. The woman has long hair and tattoos, and the man is bald and wears a patterned shirt. Bushes and golden light fill the background.

A couple sits outdoors in warm sunlight. The woman, with long brown hair and tattooed arms, smiles while seated in front of a man with a shaved head and mustache, who wraps his arms around her from behind.

Ready for Your Own Unique Boise Engagement Session?

If you're looking for engagement photos that break away from the ordinary and truly capture your personalities, a Downtown Boise Meets Boise Foothills session might be perfect for you! I love creating custom photo experiences that tell your unique love story.

Ready to plan your own adventurous engagement session in Boise? Let's chat! Contact me to start planning your perfect engagement photos today.

Adventure Awaits →