T&T: How to Choose the Best Location for Your Portrait Session

Picking a location for your photo shoot can sometimes be challenging or overwhelming.  I get asked all the time by my clients “Where is a good location”?, “How do I pick”?, “Where should we go”? etc. Next to picking a date for your photoshoot, the next hardest decision is deciding on the location.

A good location can enhance the overall feel of the photos and make your images really pop.  The location should not take away from you but should complement you and lend itself to showcasing what is important to you and the things you are interested in.   It is important to pick a location that has the overall feel and tone for what you want your photos to look like.  This will go a long way in helping determine your location of your photoshoot.  If you want more of the country theme or outdoor feel, then selecting a location that has those aspects are important.  If you want more texture of an old building, brick walls or other architectural vibe then choosing a location with an old town feel would be the key.   Sometimes choosing a location that offers a little of both or is more conducive to props is the way to go.

One of the best parts of hiring a professional photographer who’s been doing this whole picture-taking thing for a while is that I can offer you some insight and suggestions on some great locations.  A lot of times, I have my own personal favorites for locations that I know very well.  It is easy to use a location that the photographer knows because of lighting and pose ideas and is familiar with the area and knows how to get the very best out of the location.

That said, I totally understand that you want to have a say in choosing your portrait session backdrop. It’s your session, after all! You may have a specific location you want to try out or one you have seen in another session that really jumped out at you.  As I mentioned before there are some things to consider when deciding on your session.  Below I have listed some things to consider when deciding on your location for your session.

6 Ways to Find the Perfect Session Location for Your Portraits  

Really, choosing the best location for your portrait session is about figuring out what vibe you’re going for and then from there we can brainstorm together to find a spot that’ll make your heart skip a beat. Here are six ways to jump start the process:

Consider Your Preferred Style:

The best portrait sessions capture your existing style. Think of what your favorite outfits are and what sort of style you’re drawn to, and then we’ll come up with complementary session location. For example, if you lean toward bohemian, then an urban landscape may not be your jam.

Think About Color:

Do you want bright and splendid backdrop, or one that’s more minimalist? By narrowing down your preferred color story, we can narrow down your session location.

How Many People Are Being Photographed?:  

This detail matters for a few locations, especially if you decide to go with a smaller space like a downtown street location. If it’s just you or a few people total, then your options are pretty limitless. Large groups, however, require large and open spaces, otherwise things may start to feel crowded or overwhelming during the shoot itself.

Think about props:

What props if any will you be wanting to use in your session?  Finding a location that will compliment those props should be considered.  For example, if you want the family pet in the photos, choosing a location that allows for pets is a must.  If you are a football player and will be wearing your jersey with a game ball, maybe doing part of your session on the football field will enhance your session.  Thinking of your props or what you will want in your photos is something to definitely consider when deciding on a location.

Consider Sentimental Spots:

If a location has special meaning to you then it can make your session and images even more personalized. For example, senior photos taken at a favorite hangout spot, family portraits taken in front of your forever home, or the ice-cream shop you went to all the time as a kid.

Look at Some of Your Favorite Images:  

What sort of portrait images are you drawn to when scrolling through social media or flipping through a magazine? Is it rich, lush greenery? Is it gritty graffiti? Hazy fields? Modern lines? Let this natural inclination inform your session location choice.

The most important thing is working together to determine what your end goal is for you photos and picking a location that will achieve that.  I will work closely with you to both suggest locations and help you decide which one is right for your photoshoot.  After all it is widely said “It is all about Location, Location, Location”!