As a content-heavy marketing agency in Duluth, we have seen our fair share of photoshoots in the area for the clients we work with. Finden has done a ton of photoshoots across the greater Duluth area doing videography and photography including product promos, music videos, and more. Our team has compiled our favorite locations in our home city of Duluth Minnesota and decided that we want to share these secret spots with you. It doesn’t matter if you are a budding entrepreneur who needs content for your small business, a photographer doing client work, or someone just looking to get some great photos of the area, these ten locations are by far our favorites and the go-to when we are getting Duluth summer photography.
1. Canal Park (the lift bridge)
First up on this list is Canal Park, one of Duluth’s most iconic locations, and has become a staple location for anyone that does business here. Many consider this the start of the North Shore and tourists flock in every year. This location is fantastic for Duluth summer photography due to the accessibility to the water, the lighthouses, and the famous aerial lift bridge. An easy recommendation for content creation is the videography of the bridge raising. This can easily be put on your social media channels and has great potential for Instagram stories or a Facebook post. This is especially special in the summer as you can capture so many ships coming in and out of our beautiful port.
Our favorite spot: Our favorite place is on the walkway to the lighthouse. This is such a photogenic location and offers excellent shots no matter where you aim. I recommend going after it rains since you will get some great reflection shots. This is hands down the most iconic of the Duluth Summer photography on our list.
2. Lester Park
Lester Park is one of the lesser-known parks within Duluth but has some fantastic trails and bridges if you want a more forestry aesthetic. This is different from any other park in Duluth and is located on the opposite side of Duluth. This extremely wooded area is fantastic for outdoor shots and feels like a deep forest right within the Duluth city limits. This area has giant trees, excellent running trails, and countless streams to create whatever outdoor shot you are trying to achieve. Showcased is one of the projects that we did for our client where we shot mainly in Lester.
Our favorite spot: About half a mile up from the parking lot, you will find a beautiful bridge with a gazebo and a place where people go cliff jumping. This is our favorite spot by far, and you can see a shot of it in the photo above.
3. Glensheen Mansion
This is one of my favorite locations within Duluth and Minnesota in general. I am a huge history fan, and Glensheen gives more if you are looking for great views of the lake, fantastic brick walls, and an all-out fun atmosphere for any photographer. I recommend going here if you are doing wedding, engagement, event, or senior photos, Glensheen has everything you need. Picturesque views everywhere you look; this is the place to make memories. Make sure to follow them on Instagram @glensheen to see some of the great examples others have taken. Also, go adventuring through their property to find a hidden swing in the middle of the trees. It is a fantastic place for weddings, engagements, or senior photos. Also during the Summer, Glensheen offers great activities like music on the pier which are great times to get in free and roam around the grounds.
Our favorite spot: Glensheen, offers a wide range of views, but our favorite would have to be the bridge along the west end of the estate. This bridge overlooks Tischer creek and offers multiple angles to get drone footage/ pictures from great vantage points.
4. Enger Tower
Another staple of Duluth is Enger Tower. Enger Tower overlooks the city, and the park was donated to the town by Bert Enger, a native of Norway who came to this country and became a successful furniture dealer (learn more here). Since its creation in 1939, tourists and Duluthians alike have made it a staple of the city. Enger features breathtaking views, a beautiful tower, and a fantastic zen garden sprawled across its park. This is an excellent location for anyone that wants scenery shots that are more than just some trees. This location is great for videography since there is a lot of great background shots that people associate with Duluth without the traffic of Downtown, Lincoln Park, and Canal Park. Though this image is in the winter, the summer is one of its prime times and is a must!
Our favorite spot: My favorite spot is in the far right corner of the park. This is where the best view of the city is and offers a great backdrop for interview-style videography.
5. Lincoln Park District
If downtown Duluth didn’t have what you are looking for, the thriving Lincoln Park District is the following best location for any urban shoot. With bustling shops, murals everywhere you look, and tons of people, Lincoln Park has quickly become one of the top spots for any videography and photography. The main stretch located on a superior street hosts a plethora of fantastic shops ranging from food, and outdoor apparel to adult beverages and has a unique vibe to each store you walk by. This location also does a lot for the community and hosts tons of fun activities such as live music, trivia, and art shows. This is a must-stop location for anyone trying to get content for themselves, a client, or their business.
Our favorite spot: The main drag of superior street has so much going on and offers some great style options. Many murals (one showcased above) line the walls of shops which are great for client photo sessions. This is perfect for Duluth Summer photography as the hustle and bustle is great to capture.
6. Sister Cities Park (The hidden park in Duluth)
This is one of the most hidden places on our list and many locals don’t even know it exists. Looking over Canal Park is a hidden zen garden called sister cities park that is dedicated to all the cities that hold a sister city program with us. This park is bustling with wildflowers, has fantastic Asian architecture, and has some very impressive shots of the lake. Here’s a link to the google maps of it, but remember it’s a secret…. (Link)
Our favorite spot: This whole area is a great place to get content, but we really think the zen garden offers the biggest benefit for anyone trying to do a photoshoot!
7. Downtown Duluth
If you are looking for more of an urban feel, make sure to make your way through Superior Street and check out all the hidden nooks to get great brick walls, sculptures, and murals, Galore. We enjoy doing videography in this area since you get the city’s hustle and bustle in the background. This location is also jiving with history from the 100+-year-old buildings to the history that happened on the streets.
Our favorite spot: Definitely check the off streets, they have so much character and it lets you get the effect of urban without the people.
8. Ely’s Peak
Our with spot on this list is my personal favorite. Ely’s peak is a lesser-known location in Duluth and is located on the outskirts of the town. This location offers excellent outdoor shots, a fantastic place to do videography, and mind-blowing sunsets. This is also the location of an old train tunnel so you can see some incredible structures. We have used Ely’s peak as the location for countless of my team’s photoshoots, and we recommend going to the shoot later in the day, so the sun coverage is less intense (this also allows seeing the sunset)
Our favorite spot: Make your way to the top of the hill (Ely’s Peak); this is a breathtaking view of the northland and is extra spectacular during the fall season when all the leaves have changed. The picture below is a shoot we did at the top for a Duluth-based outdoor brand.
9. The LakeShore (Leif Erickson Park)
Looking for an easy photoshoot with a GREAT background? The LakeShore behind Leif Erickson Park should be your go-to location. This location gets the lake, lighthouse, lift bridge, and cityscape all in one photo. During the summer this may be a little packed but at the right time it’s as peaceful as Lake Superior on a non-windy day.
Our favorite spot: Right behind the grandstand in Leif Erickson there is an amazing location (where the photo above was taken). If you pop down there you get some excellent views of all Duluth has to offer.
10. Chester Park (Chester Bowl)
Are you looking for a secluded spot to get some nature photos? Look no further than Chester Park. This local hotspot spans across Duluth and offers streams, forests, and more for your Duluth Summer photography needs. With ample parking in Chester Bowl, this is a great stop for senior photos.
Who is Finden Marketing?
Finden Marketing is Duluth, Minnesota’s leading Gen Z & Millennial marketing agency. Our team has years of experience, has managed over seven million dollars of lifetime ad spend, and offers a dedicated team of marketers that can help grow your business to its true potential. Our team offers a wide range of services, including PR, Branding, Content Creation, Paid Media, Graphic Design, and Web Development. With over 50 projects in the bag, Finden Marketing is becoming a staple marketing agency in Duluth, Minnesota. With awards including the Duluth News Tribune Best of the Best and Upcity’s top digital marketing agencies.
Thanks for reading!
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