7 tips for the best photography locations

Think back to a time you when you visited grandma or a friend and together poring through photo albums over a cup of tea reminiscing about the day they were taken. Photographs are a reference to a moment in life’s journey and whether they were taken to commemorate a celebration, a special milestone or to welcome a new life into the world, they are history in the making.

We all want our photographs to be memorable and to visually tell the story of the moment they were taken. Below are seven important factors contributing to the foundation of your story - the location.

 1.    Decide on the feel or emotion you are looking for

If you’re not sure on what ‘feel’ you are looking for when booking your session, that’s okay. That can be worked out when you meet with your photographer. You at least know your purpose for booking your photography session. Actively browsing through social media and printed magazines, you may unconsciously have a style you prefer looking at.

All photographers have their own style - either more formal or relaxed or a mixture of somewhere in between. I prefer a more relaxed, natural style highlighting your personality in photographs. This can be done with either a large family gathering to an individual’s personal branding session.

A session in an open field amongst wildflowers or a park can capture a sense of tranquility, seclusion, openness, exploration or romance. Whereas an urban session in a city amongst tall buildings or down lane ways are more likely to create feelings of action, movement, playfulness and interactivity with the surroundings. And so too, a session in your home will give the feeling of homeliness. You’re getting what I’m saying.

What feeling do you want your photographs to portray?

2.   Your location will define the session time

Now you have figured out the feeling you want, let’s consider the time of day. The sweet spot for outdoor photography is either early morning… not so popular or, late afternoon…. clearly the winner here. This is because the sun is lower in the sky, it’s not harsh like midday and it casts a beautiful golden glow making your skin look fabulous. Now before you lock in your late afternoon session, there are a couple of exceptions, especially if you have little toddlers. Family photography sessions sometimes have to work around sleeps and feeding times and the best photographs are the ones where everyone is happy and relaxed.

Personal branding sessions are longer than a regular portrait session as it includes outfit changes, a variety of locations and props to take into consideration. And indoor sessions can be photographed at any time of day because…. you guessed it, there’s no harsh sunlight indoors, but it is preferrable to book a session in daylight to maximise the light filtering inside.

3.   Consider everyone’s ability

And I’m not talking about mine, although I do have to lug a lot of camera equipment at my shoots. If you are organising a multi-generational family session, think about who is attending. Your idea to have everyone photographed in front of an ear pounding waterfall all sounds great but you may want to reconsider. If everyone must hike two kilometres along a slippery rainforest trail you may find you are not too popular when everyone finally arrives long after the shoot time. Also consider this point if you plan a maternity photography session too.

The aged, the very young or people with mobility challenges will thank you wholeheartedly if you consider their needs when finding an accessible location. They may even shout you lunch! Another “A” word to consider is amenities. Photoshoots don’t usually take longer than an hour, but if you have travelled a reasonable distance to reach your location, when nature calls… well you must answer and that could be a little awkward if there are not amenities nearby.

Consider everyone’s physical ability when choosing a location

 4.  Whatever the weather

Seasons have a way of impacting light and weather patterns. Outdoor photography is often faced with the challenges of unpredictable weather and there are no guarantees what the day will bring, so be prepared just in case.  What could start out as a beautiful sunny day may result in an afternoon thunderstorm or blustery winds.  Many photographers may offer to re-schedule, but if that isn’t possible due to an extended family getting together for a special occasion, or it’s your wedding day, consider a contingency plan such as a location with shelter nearby or indoors.  Don’t be frightened off by a cloudy or drizzly day either, clouds soften the glare and umbrellas work well or you can just go with what the day throws at you.  Remember tip #3 though.

5. And what about the flowering fields?

Oh yes, a photoshoot amongst endless fields of colour looks amazing, but think of the hardworking farmer who is growing them for his livelihood?  Don’t even think about it unless you have the farmer’s permission.  “What if they don’t have a fence around their property or I just want to step in the first row and won’t go any further?”  Nope and nope.  These farms are hundreds if not thousands of acres and many don’t have a boundary fence because they aren’t retaining cattle or sheep.  Stepping onto their land can bring in contaminates from your shoes and may destroy their crop, not to mention the risk of stepping on a poisonous snake.  Just ask the farmer and the worst they can say is ‘no’. Some clever farmers are now opening up their colourful fields to visitors and ask for a small fee, and this is the ideal time you can respectfully have that cracker photo taken.

So if there’s no fields of flowers? Be creative!

6.   Dressing for the occasion

Your location choice and the style of your session may impact on your what you plan to wear.  If your session is for personal branding or family photos, think about how you want your photos to look. Deciding on the right outfit and colours, especially if you’re not alone in your session, you do need to consider this. You don’t want photographs hanging on your wall where everyone’s outfits clash. Also think about popular trending fashions as they are prone to quickly go out of date.

And if you want to dress formally at a location in the middle of a field, take a pair of walking shoes and swap them over when you reach the site.  Walking in heels across a field is not the most comfortable or glamourous thing to do and the last thing you want to do is sprain an ankle. 

The style of photo shoot will impact on what you wear

 7.   Sentimentality

Last but by all means not least, sentimentality.  Choosing a location simply for the reason it holds a special significance is good enough and you can’t argue that.  A special place you visited during your childhood, where you were proposed to, or at your favourite café, choosing a nostalgic location will ensure your photos hold lasting memories for years to come. Being in a sentimental location can add loads of emotion into the scene without even trying. Think of a place that brings you happiness and that may be a great starting point.

Planning a location for a photography session gives you the license to be as creative as you want to be. There is no right or wrong, you just need to take into consideration some or all of those steps when deciding on the location.   And in years to come, you too will be looking fondly back over your photos reminiscing about that day.