Family Photographer: Brittany Schnell

There are many locations in Lemmon that are ideal for family photos. I’m always looking for for good lighting, clean backgrounds and (preferably) greenery.
In one hour, we can stop at two to four locations in town. Personally, I think three locations is the a good number of spots.
Check out some of my favorites!

Tank Hill Park

6th Ave West & 1st Street West

My favorite photo location in Lemmon, Tank Hill offers trees, grass and a playset.

Pro Tip: The best time of day to take pictures at Tank Hill is after the sun has passed high noon. Why? We don’t want to take pictures with the sun in your eyes!

Shadehill State Recreation Area

19150 Summerville Rd, Shadehill, SD 57638

I know it’s not in Lemmon, but Shadehill State Recreation Area has so many great spots starting with Ketterlings point. It has a grassy area, large cottonwood trees and a rocky beach.

The Spillway has a nice waterfall effect on extra full days. There are a bunch of Russian Olive trees surrounding the beach that are perfect for portraits. In May and June, the white & yellow clover is a stunning background for groups! The road to the spillway is another great spot- it is full of huge cottonwoods that fold over the road.

I’m always open to finding new locations at Shadehill. If you know one I didn’t mention, let’s go on a drive and show it to me! I want to know all the best spots!

Pro Tip: I don’t recommend taking pictures by the water on extremely bright days since the water acts like a giant mirror. I do recommend taking pictures on the beach right before sunset or on partly cloudy days!

Schnell Ranch

Lemmon, SD 57638 | Invite Only

Again, I know it’s not in Lemmon, but the Schnell Ranch sits just north and west of town. The drive is short and the views are totally worth it.

I have so many wonderful locations at the ranch: by the chokecherry trees, on the cedar river, on top of rocky hill or on one of our many river crossings, the old iron bridge- the list keeps going on! I’m sure I will be taking photos at the ranch for my entire life and still find new places that would make stunning images. The best part? Hardly any buildings or man made structures.
Bob Ross would be so proud.

I can’t forget to mention that Joan Schnell’s Pine tree is the tallest tree in Adams County. She has photos of the tree from decades ago, as a little baby tree. How neat!

Pro Tip: My favorite time to take pictures at the ranch is in May & June when the clover is blooming. We have pastures full of the little flowers and it kind of reminds me of a scene from a Rihanna music video. I’m here for it.
Pro, Pro Tip: Really, anytime at the ranch is stunning.

Private Driveway

Theater Road Lemmon, SD 57638

Right across the street from the Lemmon IGA is this gorgeous driveway. Complete with a gravel road, cottonwoods and lots of shrubbery- and it’s a low traffic area.
I love how the road curves in the back. I’ve never been passed the curve, but I imagine someone’s home is back there.
The cottonwoods offer shade and often results in gorgeous bokeh.

Pro Tip: Because the sunsets in the direction you would want to face, this spot is especially great in the beginning to middle of the day. It’s more tricky in the evening, but doable!

Kokomo Inn

304 Main Ave | Lemmon, SD 57638

John Lopez has transformed the 300 block of Lemmon’s main street with the Boss Cowman Square, Kokomo Inn and Sculpture park. There are so many great things about this spot- colorful murals, unique sculptures, manicured lawn & greenery- the list goes on, and John keeps adding to it! I believe he recently added globe lights to the sculpture walk. I cannot wait to take photographs there in blue hour sometime!
This location is a true community pillar: giving homage to our past, inspiration for the future and a central gathering place for all.

Sunflower Fields

August | Lemmon, SD 57638

The sunflower fields of West River South Dakota are unmatched. The Dakota’s produce a majority of the sunflower seed in the united states, growing 84% of the nation’s sunflowers in 2020 according to Cap Journal. Most of the sunflowers are made into oil, bird seed, sunflower butter and roasted sunflower seeds.
It’s important to be mindful that sunflower fields are someone’s income, their livelihood. It’s a good idea to get their permission ahead of time, not damage any plants, and not walk far into the field (stay on the edge).
Wild sunflowers can be found on public land and on almost any dirt road. Wild sunflowers are generally much, much smaller than their planted counterparts.
Sunflowers usually bloom for the whole month of August.

Pro Tip: If you are planting your own sunflowers: the further apart you plant them, the bigger their heads will be.

Your Home

Lemmon, SD 57638

Celebrate the house that built you by taking pictures with it. This is the place your kids took their first steps, where you drink your morning coffee and your garden grows. Let your fresh paint job or awesome landscaping skills be the backdrop to your next family session.

Pro Tip: Make sure you lawn is mowed free of toys or gardening tools. If we are going inside your home, please tidy up ahead of time!

R Coffee & Cream

120 Main Ave | Lemmon, SD 57638

I think one of the best things to do is eat ice cream. Who’s with me? I know your kids are!
Let’s finish your family session getting a sweet treat for everyone. We can wrap up our photos documenting messy fingers and chocolate smiles.
I think the treat at the end of the photo session is great for everyone’s moral. The kids love it for the ice cream. Mom& dad loves it for the coffee!

* I know these aren’t all family photos, but it’s still a great idea!

Pro Tip: Talk to your kids. Tell them this is where we are going at the end of the session. It’s a real treat to go out for ice cream!

Red Shop & Pine Trees

11th Street West & 4th Ave West Lemmon, SD 57638

Pine trees are my favorite. This row looks super great in the evening with the sun setting behind them to the east. Whomever owns these trees does a great job of caring for them.
The shop just across the street makes a terrific backdrop- especially for Christmas photos. Again, whomever cares for this property does a fantastic job. The grass is always cut and clean.

Pro Tip: We don’t need to stand in the trees or right next to the building. The further away from the background, the more blurry it will be. The more blurry it is, the more highlighted the subjects of the photo.

I could keep going on and on with all the different places we have in town to take pictures. Would anyone be interested in a part 2? Let me know in the comments below!

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