Eastern Sierras- Inyo County
Weddings/Elopements, Portraits, Events, Business, Real Estate, and Landscapes
Inyo County offers a multitude of iconic landscapes from the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney, to the lowest spot in North America, Death Valley National Park. It provides world renown rock climbing in the Owen's River Gorge, the Buttermilks, and the Alabama Hills. On one side of the Owen's Valley, you find the epic Sierra Nevadas, and on the other side sits the White Mountain Range, home of the oldest trees on earth, the Bristlecone Pines. People from all over the world flock Bishop and Rock Creek to see the grandeur of the autumn season. Whether you like hiking, backpacking, cycling, climbing, off-roading...we can make your family portraits, elopement, or full-scale wedding something to remember in one of the most stunning and diverse places in the world.
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Alabama Hills – Explore the granite boulders scattered across the landscape at the base of Mt. Whitney in the BLM Recreation area. Check out Movie Road to drive through areas where over 700 films were made. The location is iconic for elopements, engagement sessions, and portraits — A short walk to Mobius the perfectly frames Mt. Whitney. The arch will glow with golden tones at sunrise. This is great for a small gathering, couple + photographer sessions are casual use. If you want anything with décor, chairs, or larger groups needs a BLM Special Recreation Permit (Bishop Field Office, 760-872-5000)
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Whitney Portal Road – Take a drive up the winding road up toward Mt. Whitney Portal toward the trailhead for Mt. Whitney. While people often drive to the trailhead, there are scenic views throughout. If you want to be immersed in the mountains with dramatic views back across Owens Valley and not have to hike a trail, this is an excellent option. Roads may be affected by seasonal or weather closures.
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Owens Valley flats – This is a perfect place for golden-hour portrait sessions with a big-sky feel. The sagebrush flats are wide open with the epic, full Sierra crest as backdrop giving a different view and feel that the boulders of the Alabama Hills.
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Lone Pine Lake / Whitney trailhead hikes – If you desire an adventure or hiking session for a portrait session or elopement, this is it. Immerse yourself in the adventure of hiking in the Sierra Nevadas fills with granite, pine trees, epic views, and more.
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Cerro Gordo –Founded in 1865 at an elevation of 8,500 feet, nestled in the Inyo Mountains sits a historical mine and ghost town...not just any ghost town. This one is being restored so that history can be preserved and live on. A decent dirt road winds up in elevations providing breathtaking views across the valley towards the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The other direction provides views towards Death Valley. Roads may be affected by seasonal or weather closures.
Lone Pine
Independence
This town may be small and on the quieter side, but it, like the rest of the 395 corridor has epic jaw dropping scenery.
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Mt. Williamson - This mountain stands tall and proud along this stretch of the Eastern Sierra.
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Inyo County Courthouse - This historic courthouse was built in 1921 with its design being a reflection of those from the 19th and 20th century style. It is architecturally built to withstand not just a budding community but also for natural disasters. It remains the county seat and remains an icon and symbol of this town's heritage.
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Manzanar National Historic Site — While this may not be the best site for a portrait session, one can visit and tour this s sensitive and historical site that was established during WWII to incarcerate Japanese Americans.
Big Pine
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White Mountains & Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest — To the eastern side of the 395 corridor sits another set of majestic and distinct mountains. This is home to the Bristlecone Pines, the oldest living trees on Earth, sculptural gnarled forms. At an elevation of 10,000 feet, you can easily gaze across the valley back to Mt. Whitney. The strong dark sky is an excellent place for night and astrophotography sessions. Roads may be affected by seasonal or weather closures.
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Westgard Pass - Heading east out of Big Pine on Hwy 168, you will climb out of the Owens Valley through a narrow, twisting canyon before opening onto sweeping high-desert views of the White Mountains near the Bristlecone Pine Forest and, behind you, the Sierra crest. Ahead of you sits a flat filled Joshua Trees. The drive itself is part of the experience — switchbacks, a cool rock-walled canyon stretch, and wide vista points along the way, with the pass topping out around 7,300 feet. A great en-route stop for couples heading up to the bristlecones for a sunrise or sunset session, and a scenic pull-off in its own right for quick portraits with that high-desert-meets-Sierra backdrop.
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Owens River near Big Pine — If you desire a lower-effort, quieter alternative for meadow/river-style portraits, we can go to the Owens River. Some people may even opt to float various sections of the Owen's River near Bishop and Big Pine
Bishop
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The Buttermilks – Boulder fields west of town create dramatic rock-and-sky backdrops for adventure portraits and engagement sessions. This is a popular climbing area.
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South Lake, North Lake, Lake Sabrina (Bishop Creek Canyon) – This is the single best fall-color destination on this stretch of the 395 corridor and is excelled for portraits sessions. Aspens turn to gold from late September into October, with color moving down the canyon as elevation drops, extending the season. North Lake is the "postcard" reflection shot. You can expect crowds of photographers at sunrise in peak color weeks. There are trailheads at each of the lakes if you want to hike and explore.
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Millpond Park, Round Valley – This is a more accessible, family-friendly portrait spot with stunning Sierra views. You aren't too far from the Tungsten Min either.
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Pack stations (Bishop Creek/Pine Creek) – Season depending, it is possible tie-in for equestrian or "epic adventure" session. These pack stations have several options and provide an additional activity to enjoy for a couple that wants an adventure elopement or a family out for an adventure pack ride.
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Owen's River Gorge - Come to the deep, steep-walls of volcanic canyon is a world-class sport-climbing destination cut through the Bishop Tuff, with the river running along the canyon floor. Access is via a short hike in on a closed-to-vehicles road or a steeper scramble down a gully, so it's a real adventure-session location rather than a quick stop. Striking volcanic-rock textures and canyon light make it strong for climbing-lifestyle portraits, adventurous engagement sessions, and landscape work; sunrise/sunset light on the canyon walls (and even winter moonrise/moonset) are noted local favorites. The best time of year is the fall through spring to avoid summer heat.
Death Valley National Park
If you want to take a day trip from Lone Pine to Death Valley, you would simply turn off at Olancha onto Hwy 190. This is a great location for late fall through early spring as summer gests too hot and is dangerous. It offers a variety of photography locations and styles. This is a popular place for elopements. (NOTE: The Inyo County Clerk for a marriage-license is in Independence, so this would be great for a multi-day elopement)
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Zabriskie Point - Excellent for both sunrise and sunset, this is one of the more iconic views in Death Valley. From the viewpoint, you look out over the badlands which have been shaped by wind and water over time toward the Saltwater Flats and the distant Panamint Mountains.
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Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes - Excellent for both sunrise and sunset, the sand dunes have incredible texture and have striking plays on light and shadow. While most of the park is not covered in sand dunes, this area is filled with dry, cracked-lakebed areas and 100 foot dunes of varying shapes and sizes.
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Badwater Basin - Enjoy the lowest place in North America, formerly the ancient Lake Manly, where salt flats extend as fast as the eye can see until the mountains abruptly rise from the valley floor. Sometimes there is a sliver of water covering and filling the salt flats creating epic reflections.
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Artist's Palette - If you want colorful, rainbow-like hillsides as the backdrop for your photos, take a jaunt up the one-way, 9-mile loop of Artists Drive. Late afternoon to sunset is the best time for a more colorful display.
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Furnace Creek - This has stores, restaurants, campgrounds, and golfing. It is a popular winter retreat for those from the snowy areas of the Sierra getting pummeled by snow.
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Ubehebe Crater - Take the longer drive out to these volcanic craters originally created with steam and gas explosions. You can do a short walk to the rim or walk the trail. Much of the area is covered in cinders.
