Locations: the good, the bad, and the ugly

When you book a session with me I send you a personalized Portrait Session Style Guide. In this valuable resource I talk about some things that I look for in a photo location as well as outfit selection, color choices, etc. Today we are going to talk about the location selection process for your session (If you want to know more about outfit selection, check out this live video I posted on Facebook where I actually choose an entire family's wardrobe for a photo session located HERE. ). 

Here are a couple of tips when considering location:

1.) LIGHT! Light is THE MOST IMPORANT aspect of photography. If you are wanting your session toward the middle of the day, try to choose a location that has open shade. If you have an early morning session or evening session, location selection is a bit more flexible because of the sun's placement.

2.) Think outside the box!  Brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don't. Maybe it's a private estate, country club or resort, family ranch, upscale hotel, airplane hanger, or a rooftop view. The sky is literally the limit! Spend a few minutes thinking about it and you'll be surprised what you can come up with. When you feel connected to the location of your session, your images will become that much more special!

3.) Multiple Spots! I like to choose locations that have multiple different picture points within the same location that way you get a variety of different images. 

4.) Texture!  Whether that's Wood, Brick, dirt roads, fences, old barns, rust, chipped paint, flowers, moss, vines, sand, rocks, stones, etc. All of these things translate to BEAUTIFUL photographs! 

5.) SPACE! This is something that is vitally important if you have littles that wont sit still. Think kids age 1.5-3. It is nearly impossible to take these littles to a location where they have to sit still whether that's a downtown busy street or a studio. I always recommend an outdoor spot with lots of space that is not busy (not tons of other people around), and not surrounded by other houses, buildings, or other distracting content. That way, I will be able to chase them around, play with them, get real genuine smiles without having to worry about other people, distracting background stuff, etc. 

Remember, while there might be a few exceptions, there is never really a wrong place to shoot.

Enjoy some sneak peeks from this photo session. This sweet couple has been married for 33 years. To commemorate they booked a photo session at the exact same spot they got married. This time they had their children and grandchildren join in. The results are beautiful!