How to Pick a Location
There are many possibilities for choosing a family photography location. It can be overwhelming to know where to begin. As a professional photographer, I have learned family portrait sessions can be done anywhere from using your own backyard to popular local parks. If you want to maximize your options for the best background, here are five these to consider when choosing a site.
1. Choose a Place You Know
You don’t have to climb a mountain to get great photos, it is a matter of seeing what is right in front of you, so don’t dismiss using your own backyard. If your home is truly limiting, then consider familiar parks near your home that would be an ideal place. If you are still not sure, narrow it down to three familiar locations and scout from there.
2. Select Close to Home
It is logistically easier to choose a place close to home because your time is precious. The session is 60 to 90 minutes, so consider how much travel time your family is willing to take out in their day.
3. Scout the Landscape
Scout the location near the same time of day the family session is to be held. It will help to think of any unforeseen challenges such as mud, activity level and access to the site. Is this a popular place for photography? Do you expect crowds of people?
Recently, I scouted a new place on a Saturday and no one was there. When we returned on Sunday at the same time, there were three other families doing the same photo activity. I have learned that no matter how you plan, there will always be unexpected circumstances, so it is important to adapt and stay flexible. If it is a large enough place, it shouldn’t a problem to work around other photographers.
4. Choose Scenery with Variation
Ideally, you want to work in a location that offers two or three backgrounds for a variety of landscapes and architecture. The foliage landscape can be mimicked about anywhere. However, it is the architecture I find most clients know where quaint locations are in their town. Whether it is a historic mill, barn, train depot, sunflower field or stonewall, this is a good starting point for a family photo session.
5. Observe the Light Condition
While you are scouting, study the light of the landscape. Where will the sun set? How will that affect the timing for pictures? What side of the park will work best? It means working with the natural light late in the day you are working with the sun dropping fast, so you move quickly and constant as the light shifts to the bottom of the horizon.
This one-hour family session was captured in one location
What do you think?
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