How to Choose the Perfect Location for Your Portrait Session

When it comes to visualizing your future portrait session, remember to consider the location of your shoot to make sure it aligns with your vision! Here are some things to consider when choosing a location:

1. Check the Weather

   Remember to consider the weather or the season when looking for a location. If choosing an outdoor location, make sure the weather will be sunny and that no previous rainfall has affected the terrain. A muddy garden is going to make a portrait session much more difficult than the latter.

   
   

2. Consider the Season

   Make sure the location looks the way you intend during whatever season you plan to take the photos in. A park that looks picturesque in spring might succumb to the heat in the summer, having dead grass and a much less appealing atmosphere. Make sure the weather and season

   
   

3. Consider How Busy the Area Is

   Check out your location during the same time and day of the week to see how busy the are regularly is. Depending on the angles for the shoot, having a lot of passersby could make it difficult to get the intended shots. If the location is somewhere busy and bustling, choosing a day and time where there are less people can help not only the photos, but the ease of your shoot.

   
   

4. Consider the Natural Lighting

   When looking for an outdoor location one of the best benefits is the natural lighting. Ensure you take advantage of this when choosing a location by making sure the location provides adequate lighting. Matching up with the time of day can also help to get the best lighting. During midday harsh direct sunlight coming straight down can cast shadows on the face, but angled light in the morning or evening could cast shadows from buildings if you choose a downtown location. Outdoor scenery with many trees could cast patterns from the sunlight through the leaves, so consider exactly what part of your chosen location you'll be taking photos in and what time of day will provide the best lighting.

   
   

Remember that checking out a location prior is an important step in planning a portrait session. Don't count on photos online to accurately show what a location looks like, and if all else fails, consider in-studio photography!