You can spend countless hours coming up with the photoshoot location, but let’s be honest. Does the location REALLY matter?
This is one of those questions where different photographers may have different answers. Here is my opinion as a Lifestyle Photographer. (This answer would be different if I were a traditional portrait photographer or a landscape photographer, for instance.)
The answer: It does and it doesn’t. I know, I hate it when people say that (haha), but it’s true. Let me explain.
When location MATTERS:
You want a meaningful spot (ie, where you got engaged, your home, your neighborhood park).
You want “good light”.
It makes the subjects relaxed (ie, a newborn will be more comfortable in their warm home, a family with young children may be happier at a quiet playground than in a city).
It provides you with activities (ie, you have a toddler who loves to pick flowers, so you choose a garden or you have a couple who loves dining out, so you choose a chic restaurant).
When location DOESN’T MATTER:
You want someplace “pretty”.
Here are examples of the last point. I took these images this weekend with long-time clients whom I know very well. We started at a park near their home, and towards the end, I took them to the parking lot next to an open field. Though it may look picturesque, I guarantee that 98% of people who drive to the parking lot don’t stop to look at this. Then we walked over to our cars, and I captured a few sweet hugging shots right in the middle of the lot.
Point is, parking lots aren’t usually considered “pretty” areas, but you can get great shots just about anywhere.
So don’t just look for “pretty” when you are deciding on a shoot location.
