I’ve spent a lot of time around the capitol grounds since the late 1980s. It used to be a great evening hangout for high school and college kids; it’s still one of the best places to play frisbee in town; and it’s simply a nice place to walk or simply hang out. If you’re like me, then you know what I’m talking about when I say the doors pictured above are probably the most popular doors in town.

If not, you may be wondering why I think so. Simple: this is probably the single most frequently used setting for portrait photography in all of Bismarck-Mandan! Sit out on the lawn some Saturday and have a picnic, and you’ll likely see numerous wedding parties come and go to have their photos taken on the steps in front of these doors. You may also see family or senior portraits taken directly in front of them. They’re rather noteworthy, and as such make a great photo background.

I have several friends who are portrait photographers, and they get a lot of demand for this location. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s a great setting for your special photos! I just find it noteworthy and mildly amusing to watch the groups come and go as they take their turn in front of a popular local landmark.

Thanks to Adam, who politely reminded me that yes, these doors are still open. I mistakenly assumed that, since the library entrance I use most is on the side of these steps, these doors no longer function. Of course, I had to go check them out myself. There’s some pretty neat stuff on the other side of them, I found out! Check back in a day or two.

I usually enter the library by the circulation desk downstairs, but from now on, I’m going to make it a point to enter through these big, well-known doors!