5 Tips For Choosing Your Photoshoot Locations
Sentimental Spots
Meaningful locations always take top priority when choosing a setting. These are some of my absolutely favorite kinds of shoots because they add such a personal touch to your photos. Here are some of my favorite examples of sentimental locations that may help get your gears turning:
the coffee shop where you had your first date
the downtown streets of the city where you live
the college campus where you met
the local brewery you frequent
the park where your significant other proposed
your wedding venue
your favorite hiking trail
(photo of me and my husband at our favorite brewery. Taken by Danielle Marie Photography and edited by me.)
Things To Be Mindful Of:
Lighting
Outdoor shoots are typically scheduled in the hour or so before sunset. The sun is lower in the sky, there is less harsh light, and shadows are less of a concern. If the conditions are right, you may also capture that perfect golden glow.
Indoor shoots can be hit or miss with lighting. I personally like to use as much natural light as I can, so large windows are a huge plus. I prefer to schedule these shoots earlier in the day to capture the most light.
Private Property
I love adventures, but I’d prefer not to break the law while I do it. If you are choosing your own location, be sure you are doing your research. No one wants the cops (or a person with a shotgun) interrupting your engagement session!
Crowds
If you don’t want a bunch of strangers in your photos, or you aren’t a fan of canoodling in public, be mindful of the time and place of your shoot. For example, a Saturday Morning outside the Lancaster Central Market will probably be pretty packed. Photos with crowds in the background can have a really cool vibe to them, but they certainly aren’t for everyone. (reference the photo above, taken at the crowded Elizabethtown Fair)
Rescheduling
If you are electing to have photos done in a place that requires a date-specific permit or ticket for admission, be aware of the possibility of rescheduling due to inclement weather. It sucks, but it happens.
Fields get mowed, flowers die, & leaves change
Everyone loves a field of tall grass (including me)...until it gets mowed down. This has happened to me. Don’t let this deter you from choosing this type of setting, just be aware of changes and have a potential back up plan.
dear wildflower fields…I love you. But I hate when you die. If you’re looking into a wildflower field session, be aware that these flowers have a very specific and very limited lifespan.
there is a reason why fall is a photographer’s busiest season. THE COLORS. If you are dying to have those fall colors, the best time to schedule in Central PA is late October-Mid November.
Consider The Unique Spots
maybe the you prefer something a little more atypical. Think outside the box with these suggestions:
coffee shops (I know, it’s the second time I mentioned coffee shops. I just love them ok?)
record store
antique/ thrift shop
county fair/carnival/amusement park
airbnb
abandoned, forgotten buildings or ruins (beware of the whole trespassing thing, though)
airplane hanger (long shot, but it’s on my bucket list)
(photo taken in an antique store in Columbia PA. Taken by me during an associate shooting gig for Kylee B Photography)
Ask Your Photographer!
No idea where to start? Don’t stress about it! Ask your photographer!
Don’t get me wrong, us photographers LOVE discovering new locations, but most of us have a collection of favorite locations that we know like the back of our hands and love to shoot at. We know all the good spots, where the sun will set, where the lighting is best, and where the golden glows will pop (weather permitting).
If my couples ask for recommendations, I will try to get a feel for the “look” they’re going for (urban vs. nature-y), and then I typically send a list of local spots with photos for reference.
(photo taken during golden hour at Overlook Park, Lancaster, PA)
Make It Reflect YOU
You can choose the prettiest, trendiest location that there is, but in the end, if it doesn’t reflect you and your relationship, what’s the point?
Above all else, choose a spot that feels like you. If you don’t have a specific place in mind, or you feel like you’re struggling, let your photographer help you find a spot that fits your needs.
Also- keep in mind: the focus of the photos should be YOU. Yes, we want a cool backdrop and great lighting, but you are the stars of this show, the location is just the stage.
(photo taken in downtown Lancaster, PA)