How to Choose a Photo Shoot Location
As a photographer, I’m so fortunate to live on beautiful Mercer Island and have so many great photo shoot locations in the Seattle area. As you’re planning your next photo session, the location sets the scene (quite literally) for your photo shoot’s overall look, so let’s talk about a few tips and considerations to keep in mind while choosing a photo shoot location.
First Things First - Talk to Your Photographer
This may take some stress off your plate: when you contact a photographer to book a photo session, you don’t have to know where you want your photo session to be. That’s what we’re here for - to share our expertise and guide you through the entire process to create the best portraits for you. I have plenty of recommendations depending on the type of look and setting you want, and we can work together to narrow them down to the best one based on the other factors below.
Think About Your Color Scheme
The Seattle area is full of amazingly colorful natural scenes - in fact, we can probably find flowers, greenery, or buildings of just about any color you want. Think about the color scheme you want for your portraits based on where you want to display them and I’ll help you identify a location that either has those colors and aesthetics during the season of your session or has a look that complements your color scheme.
Consider Your Comfort Level
Looks aren’t all that matter in a photo session location! Consider booking your photo shoot at a place where you’re already comfortable and familiar (or, for family photos, a place where your family is comfortable). Maybe it’s a particular park you visit often or a lovely property that a friend or family member owns. The more comfortable you are, the more you’ll be able to open up and get some authentic smiles for the photos.
Don’t Forget Amenities
This is easy to overlook unless you’re thinking about it directly but I highly recommend choosing a photo shoot location that has a bathroom accessible. We all look awkward when we’re in need of a bathroom, and you don’t want that awkward tension in your portraits! This is especially important for a maternity photo shoot and any photo shoot that includes small kids with their equally small bladders.
Steer Clear of Crowds
No matter how much of a people person you are, there’s a lot to be said for having some privacy during a photo shoot for multiple reasons. First, when there are a lot of people around, it may be difficult to get all the angles and backgrounds you want without a stranger accidentally photobombing you in the background. Second, we all tend to feel more self-conscious when there are more people around, so you’re likely to be more comfortable in front of the camera if there are fewer spectators. Keep this in mind if, for instance, you’re considering a popular area of a busy park at peak times.
Planning Your Photo Session
All these guidelines can help you think about your photo shoot location but don’t worry, I’ll walk you through all the details and we’ll find the perfect spot for your portraits. Contact Jaimié Birtel Photography and let’s start dreaming together!