3 Tips for choosing a location for your next photo session

The first thing you need to think about when choosing a photo location is what you want the photos to feel like. What do you want people to feel when they see your photos? What do you want to feel when you look at them? Fun? Intimate? Contemporary? Location is one of the key players in setting the mood for your photos.

3 Tips for picking a location for your next photo session:

Choose a meaningful place.

It’s easy to choose a place for convenience… but don’t do that. Choose something that works for you and your family. Somewhere you are comfortable. Somewhere you feel safe being yourself, or somewhere that excites you! Not into nature? Choose an urban setting… brick walls, coffee shops, downtown parking lots… they all have their own beauty… and when you choose the right clothing to compliment it … BAM baby BAM! 

Behind the scenes at a brewery. Soft directional light can have a dramatic effect.

This family chose to have their session on the land they had just purchased and were looking forward to building a home on. You could feel the excited energy in every single one of them.

There is a special place in the heart of this family for this camper van. It holds a lifetime of adventures ahead of them… this was just the start.

The first home you brought your new baby to will always hold a special place.

Use natural lighting.

Find a location that is brightly lit, which offers plenty of diffused light options. Or, depending on the mood of your vision, dimly lit? Dim lighting evokes an intimate feeling and can highlight smaller details than bright light. Discuss the mood you are going for with your photographer. Once you know what your vision for your photos is, be open to your photographer picking a great location that will fit if you don’t already have one in mind.

If you are not picky, and don’t have any certain vision, your photographer will have a whole bunch of locations that work up her sleeve!

Again with the directional light… so beautiful!

This was taken in their backyard… and a beautiful backyard it is.

Make a day of it!

It doesn’t have to be a lot of work to travel somewhere for a 1-2 hour photoshoot. Make it a day! Make an adventure of it. Have you been wanting to take your family to a hike you heard was awesome? Do it! Most photographers are dying to get out an see new locations!

Do you want to capture a regular day with your family? Maybe your ideal location is at home on the couch, or jumping on the trampoline, or baking cookies… you do you! Those fleeting moments that seem so small to us right now, will be the ones our kids remember. The little things that stick out in their memories of their childhood. Why not have them documented?

Building blocks before bedtime…

Summer days in the backyard pool.

Is jumping on mom and dads bed off limits? Not when you’re having photos done… :)

This family spends many summer days at the community lake. Good thing dad has a lot of helpers.

Location suggestions:

Beaches – if you are lucky enough to live in a lake community in Calgary, beaches are SO FUN for capturing kids! Or,  hire a photographer when you are on your family vacation! I absolutely love vacation photos! Everyone is just so much more relaxed on vacation!

Nature reserves or provincial parks – there are endless opportunities for amazing photos in nature. Trees, grass and ridges can provide great layering for stunning depth of field.

Rivers or Creeks – Summer Spash sessions much? So fun! Get your photographer to bring their water gear to get some super cool shots here.

Your own backyard – On the swingset? Evening picnic? Running through the sprinkler? Home is where the heart is and it is often where kids are most comfortable. Let your photographer show you the beauty of your own backyard.

Local coffee shops or breweries – I know we often take the kids with us to a brewery for a pint (for us) and we have a big game of Uno or Jumanji! It is one of our favourite things to do together as a family and it would be cool to have someone capture it!

Greenhouses or Garden Centres – Again, endless opportunities for cool photos and you don’t need to worry about adverse weather conditions.

Urban cityscapes – Do you live downtown with a kick ass view? Utilize it. Find some picturesque alley ways or fire escapes and let the magic happen.

Parkades – Don’t come at me! There are some REALLY cool photos that can be done in parkades. The lighting if used properly can have a dramatic effect and makes for really beautiful photos.

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