Taft Point Wedding Photo Tips
Taft point in Yosemite National Park is popular, and for good reason...
Taft point is no secret. Even if you don’t think you know what Taft Point is, I bet you’ve already seen photos of it. And with good reason, it’s an incredibly easy walk with a huge pay off! The view, combined with the jutting granite platform is seemingly designed for epic photos.
We’re gonna get into the tips, but first here’s a little pep talk warm up: Taft point is absolutely worth it. The view, combined with the jutting granite platform is seemingly designed for epic photos. As a wedding and elopement team, your experience is top priority. Knowing what to expect ahead of time will help you know how to plan your day or shoot. Ok, go be adventurers!
1.Taft Point Is Popular
I’ll state the obvious, it’s popular, and may not be the place you want to plan any meaningful moments where tourists or an audience will be a distraction. If having a private place to react without an audience is important to you, you may want to plan your first look, private vows, or surprise proposal somewhere secluded BEFORE venturing to Taft. You will still have beautiful photos that show tons of emotion, and then after you can have an amazingly gorgeous view that is a celebration of what just happened! It is so important you have the privacy you need to react without feeling inhibited. 🙌 (There’s lots of lovely wooded places close by on Glacier Point Road).
2. There Will Be Other People
Be ready to share and ready to meet some other couples. We’ll all be working shoulder to shoulder in some instances. 🙋♀️
If you’re shy like me, give yourself a pep talk (I’ll give you one) and warm up with your photographer BEFORE you get there. This is definitely not the place to get to know each other for the first time, especially if you’re nervous about being in front of the camera.
3. Account For Walk-in Time
I like to plan 1 hour for the walk in, but then buffer in additional 45 minutes to stop along the trail (before I even count shoot time at Taft) There’s a very fairytale like dark, wooded path, as well as a lush patch of ferns.
4. Remember Walk-In Shoes
Remember shoes to walk in👌 But it’s do-able to walk in your dress or suit. Don’t forget headlamps for the walk back. And also bring water, no matter how short or easy a hike is.
5. Let’s Make Your Backpacks Part Of The Story
I hike ready to shoot at all times, meaning my cameras are attached to me and I can snap a shot at a moments notice, so, let’s make your backpacks a part of your story. We know you may need to carry some essentials, but just know you’ll be photographed in all the in between moments on the trail too, so style accordingly.
6. Be On Time
Be on time. Every time, there is a couple and photographer rushing down the trail to catch the sunset. But Taft is so popular you’ll need to wait in line to take your turn at the best spots. This includes other photographers and couples, as well as families with selfie sticks. Besides, once the path opens up to the grandest granite view of your life, you’ll want to take it in. I like to arrive, let my couples see it without me interrupting. After that, I give them some instructions for the distance shots. I tell them where I will be standing so they know what to expect.
7. Photographer Coaching
Speaking of this view, your photographer will be some distance away, so I coach my couples on how I want them to stand ahead of time. I also ask them if there’s anything they want to do since it will be hard to communicate when they’re on a cliff, and I’m on another cliff a 100 yards away.
8. Avoid Weekends (If You Can)
Try your hardest to avoid weekends and holidays. But regardless, just remember, this is a group experience, not a private one. There will be lots of other photographer, families, and couples. So be ready to have a good time! It’s actually really fun if everyone is sharing, you can meet other couple’s in similar seasons of life. Everyone is all dressed up and it’s like walking onto the set of a movie. And you’re in the movie.
9. Clothing That Will Catch The Breeze
I always encourage my couples to wear clothing that can catch a breeze and show movement. If there were ever a place for this, it’s Taft Point. Nothing is more romantic than those golden rays coming through a wind swept veil or dress.
10. Time Of Year Matters
Photographer Tip: keep in mind that where the sun meets the horizon changes throughout the year. In early season (June) the sun will set in view wide shot of the cliff. In late season (October) it will already be below the horizon. Here’s something that changed my life as a photographer and I can’t believe I don’t hear more people talking about it: The desktop version of google earth pro has a sun slider. You can go to ground level and see exactly where the sun hits the horizon. I like to know what to expect so this tool is my favorite.
11. Yummy Food For Afterward
Best pro tip: you’re gonna want to eat after this big adventure, so have something extra yummy waiting at the car! 🍕(You’ll need to use the bear boxes to store it at the trailhead). The closest warm food is at least an hour and half away, likely longer since we’ll be coming back into the valley after everything has closed.
Most importantly, always practice leave no trace principles, or we will loose access to gems like Taft!
