Today I'm continuing my series for photographers on tips for finding great shooting locations. Click below to get caught up on the series up to this point!
Part 1: Make it Personal
Part 2: Light Trumps Background
Part 3: Inspiration & Compositional Elements
In Part 1 I shared my strategy for coming up with unique locations for engagement or portrait shoots. I LOVE shooting at new, unfamiliar and unique locations. That's when my creativity flourishes most. But, no matter how hard we try as photographers, we all end up having to shoot at familiar locations time and time again. I know you have that location in your head. The one that causes you to inwardly groan when a client asks to have their photos taken there.
For me, that location is Old Town Scottsdale. It really is an excellent place to shoot. It has great textures, buildings with character, and an adjacent park that has green grass year-round. It's a great choice for a portrait location. It's just that I've shot there hundreds of times. I'm SO over it. But it's convenient and popular. So clients often request it.
Here's a list of recent shoots I've done in Old Town Scottsdale:
Eric & Kari's Engagement Shoot
Brian & Veronica's Engagement Shoot
Robert & Brittany's Engagement Shoot
James & Gabby's Engagement Shoot
Jacob & Ashley's Engagement Shoot
Edwards Family Portraits
Outstanding Occasions Girls
Ryan, Teri & Kailey
Mosser Family Portraits
Charlton Family Portraits
Edwards Family Portraits
Edwards Family Portraits
Note, as you click through the links, that no two sessions look the same. The only recurring theme you may see is my favorite alley (the one place I allow myself to go back to nearly every shoot):
Part 1: Make it Personal
Part 2: Light Trumps Background
Part 3: Inspiration & Compositional Elements
In Part 1 I shared my strategy for coming up with unique locations for engagement or portrait shoots. I LOVE shooting at new, unfamiliar and unique locations. That's when my creativity flourishes most. But, no matter how hard we try as photographers, we all end up having to shoot at familiar locations time and time again. I know you have that location in your head. The one that causes you to inwardly groan when a client asks to have their photos taken there.
For me, that location is Old Town Scottsdale. It really is an excellent place to shoot. It has great textures, buildings with character, and an adjacent park that has green grass year-round. It's a great choice for a portrait location. It's just that I've shot there hundreds of times. I'm SO over it. But it's convenient and popular. So clients often request it.
Here's a list of recent shoots I've done in Old Town Scottsdale:
Eric & Kari's Engagement Shoot
Brian & Veronica's Engagement Shoot
Robert & Brittany's Engagement Shoot
James & Gabby's Engagement Shoot
Jacob & Ashley's Engagement Shoot
Edwards Family Portraits
Outstanding Occasions Girls
Ryan, Teri & Kailey
Mosser Family Portraits
Charlton Family Portraits
Edwards Family Portraits
Edwards Family Portraits
Note, as you click through the links, that no two sessions look the same. The only recurring theme you may see is my favorite alley (the one place I allow myself to go back to nearly every shoot):
So how do you stay inspired shooting in the same location time and time again? How do you make sure you don't get stuck in a rut using the same spots at the same location session after session? I have two tips.
#1 -- Take a different route
For each session, walk around the location a different way. Venture into areas not yet explored. Resist the urge to go to the familiar spots that you know have worked in the past.
#2 -- Look for good light
Rather than allowing backgrounds that have worked in the past to determine your location choices, look with fresh eyes as you walk around. Light changes frequently based on the season of the year, time of day, and weather. So a spot that may have worked in the past, may not have great light at your next session. Conversely, a spot that you may have never noticed during past shoots may suddenly offer amazing light. Looking for the light always keeps me fresh and on my toes.
For my Phoenix MJ2DAY workshops, I take attendees on a shoot with me around my neighborhood. I want to make sure I'm giving them an experience true to how I normally shoot, so I never plan out my route ahead of time (besides asking my neighbors if I can use their backyard). These next two links are from two shoots done at my workshops in my neighborhood. Both were shot largely in the same backyard. But you might not be able to tell from the photos.
Stephanie & Stephen
Ryan & Sarah
I hope this helps!! Stay tuned -- next week I will be sharing my final tip to wrap up this series on finding great shooting locations! If you found this tip helpful, click here to find out about other resources I offer photographers!
*Edited to add: Click here to go to part 5 of the series.
#1 -- Take a different route
For each session, walk around the location a different way. Venture into areas not yet explored. Resist the urge to go to the familiar spots that you know have worked in the past.
#2 -- Look for good light
Rather than allowing backgrounds that have worked in the past to determine your location choices, look with fresh eyes as you walk around. Light changes frequently based on the season of the year, time of day, and weather. So a spot that may have worked in the past, may not have great light at your next session. Conversely, a spot that you may have never noticed during past shoots may suddenly offer amazing light. Looking for the light always keeps me fresh and on my toes.
For my Phoenix MJ2DAY workshops, I take attendees on a shoot with me around my neighborhood. I want to make sure I'm giving them an experience true to how I normally shoot, so I never plan out my route ahead of time (besides asking my neighbors if I can use their backyard). These next two links are from two shoots done at my workshops in my neighborhood. Both were shot largely in the same backyard. But you might not be able to tell from the photos.
Stephanie & Stephen
Ryan & Sarah
I hope this helps!! Stay tuned -- next week I will be sharing my final tip to wrap up this series on finding great shooting locations! If you found this tip helpful, click here to find out about other resources I offer photographers!
*Edited to add: Click here to go to part 5 of the series.
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