The Calgary Stampede is one of the most memorable moments of the year in this city, and we’re going to teach you where to find the best 10 photo spots on the Stampede Grounds.
Watching the entire city come together to celebrate is one of the best things about the Stampede, and you’ll want to remember all the memorable moments with some great photo opportunities (or best Instagrammable locations) at the Stampede, so let’s dive in.
1. Calgary Stampede photo frame
There are a few of these frames to pose with set up around the Stampede grounds, my personal favourite is usually in Weedickville where there are shady trees and a frontier backdrop.
It’s usually fairly easy to trade taking photos with someone else in line for a turn, which is the best way to all get in a photo at once.
2. With your favourite snack or the best food you had at Stampede
One of the best things about the Calgary Stampede is the food. Whether you’re into the crazy and wild new treats they surprise us with each year, or you’re more into the classics like a corndog and lemonade, some of the best memories are made over sharing carnival treats and eats.
To get a good photo, have them holding the treats and snap a picture between bites, waiting for a good expression. Then put the camera down and get in there and have a taste!
3. At the YAHOO letters
If you’ve been in Calgary for a minute near Stampede time, you’ve heard someone say, “Yahoo!” It’s the Stampede tagline, and they usually have giant letters on display, spelling it out.
Grab a photo with YAHOO in the background and you in the foreground, or try one where each of you find a letter to pose with.
4. Enjoying the Stampede shows
There are a number of different shows to see at the Calgary Stampede, and while a photo of the show itself might not be much to look at in a few years time, a portrait of you or your children enjoying it will be something to remember.
Focus on the expressions of those watching, because that’s what you’ll want to recall.
5. Elbow River Camp
This is one of the prettiest places on the whole grounds and one of our favourite parts of the Calgary Stampede to visit as a family. Please be very respectful of the area, as the teepees are personal property and are used as homes for the week of Stampede.
Be sure to take the opportunity to learn from the programming made available by folks indigenous to the area in the Elbow River Camp while you’re there, and snap a photo.
6. Photo Opps
Take advantage of the random photo opportunities, whether it’s a random backdrop set up somewhere on the Stampede grounds, or there are characters wandering around.
Be on the lookout for a fun opportunity, because there are always plenty around!
7. Meeting the animals
For our children, meeting the animals at Stampede is one of their very favourite things, they are absolutely entranced by the horses.
Check the schedule to see when you can meet the Stampede Showriders outside of the Agrium centre. They’re mounted on their horses with their costumes on, and are happy to have you come up and pet the horses.
This is a great moment to get a memorable photo for your children. Be sure to try getting an angle from the side so you can see their facial expressions!
8. Favourite ride or carnival game
If you have a favourite ride at the Calgary Stampede, or a carnival game you’re so excited to try, make sure to catch a picture of that.
I suggest waiting until dusk, just when the lights start coming on but it’s not too dark to see faces and expressions on the midway. You’ll get the best Stampede photos that way!
9. A Photo of the Stampede Outfit
Even if you don’t dress up in cowboy attire, we all put time and effort into our Stampede look, sometimes planning months in advance. You can’t let the Stampede go by without getting in a photo yourself to remember your fashion choices.
Using the colourful midway or food stands as backdrops can be a lot of fun (throw in some ice cream or cotton candy as a prop), or try finding somewhere quieter like Weedickville for some classic frontier buildings. Whatever best suits your outfit, that’s the place to go.
10. Midway Lights at the Calgary Stampede
We always make sure to grab a photo in front of the midway when the lights all come on, it’s when the Stampede is the most magical.
Make sure to find an angle with lots of lights in the background, play with angles and even try getting down low for some great ferris wheel backdrops.
For lighting, try at dusk when the lights come on but faces are still lit, or go for a photo at night and find somewhere there’s light spilling out, like under street lamps, to stand under to light you up. Or take a silhouette picture in front of the lights, that could look fantastic with a cowboy hat turned to a profile.
Don’t Forget
10 really great photos of the Calgary Stampede could be all you need to remember how great the day was. Have fun snapping gorgeous photos of you and your loved ones, and always remember to put down the camera between these moments to be present and make the memories that will forever remain attached to these 10 best photos.