How to pick the best photo shoot location?
There are endless options when it comes to choosing the perfect location for your family photo session. Today we will look into 3 main categories and a bonus one at the end that will help you decided which directions you should take.
Don’t know where to start when picking a location for your next family photos? I will share everything I have learnt about ideal locations for sessions to make your decision super easy. This blog is not about an exact park or beach where you could go but it helps you decided what vibe will work best for your family!
Beach as a location for a family photo session
It’s hard to beat the beach, in my opinion. If deep blues and pebble beaches are your family’s happy place than let me take you to one of my favorite beach locations on Whidbey island. A family session on the beach can be lots of fun, including skipping rocks, walking on the logs, looking for treasures. The ocean in the background brings tranquility and serenity vibe to your photos.
Beach might not be the best location for your family photos in winter. If you don’t like the cold and the wind you want to avoid beach locations in the colder months. Are your kids little turtles who will crawl into the water as soon as they see it? In that case you probably want to go with different type of location until they are old enough to understand, we are not getting soaking wet (at least till the end of the session:) To see more photos from a beach session read my blog post family photos at Rosario beach.
Park and outdoors as a location for a family photo shoot
We are living in such an amazing outdoorsy space of beautiful Skagit valley, the Cascades mountains and Mt. Baker, that you can rest assured that there are tons of breathtaking locations for your family photo session that do not include beach.
If you are booking your session April - October and your family loves adventure, the mountains are probably the right choice for you! You photos will be absolutely stunnning and so PNW! If love hiking, you can have your photos taken at one of the magical trails around here, or at gorgeous well-maintained park that is surrounded by hills. Plan accordingly to your kids’ age.
4 things to consider before your pick your outdoor adventure are:
Driving distance
Walking distance
Will your children have fun in the mountains / park / tulip field
What do you need before the drive back home (dinner for the road, a restaurant dinner plan before the drive, pajamas to change to before a long car ride)
Your home as a location for a family session
Let’s meet in your gorgeous home! That’s right, every home is beautiful because it’s your family that makes it special. No, you don’t have to clean and tidy the whole house. We will use 1-2 rooms that have the best lighting and no deep clean is necessary! :)
The ideal time for family photos in your house is morning, around 10-11 AM, depending on the season. In-home sessions are great for winter, when it’s just too cold outside. But there is never bad time to “take it home” for photos.
Why is an in-home family session the best:
Newborns are meant to be home. Newborn in-home session capture the slow days you are facing when you bring a new baby home. Not to mention you have EVERYTHING you could possibly need right there. You can change your baby, feed, sooth to sleep… Read more about my lifestyle newborn sessions.
Your home is part of your family! How much time do we spend in our houses? A lot! Especially if we are moms of little kids. You will love your photos so much more if they show not only your loved ones but also the places where you raise your family. Do you move often? How amazing would it be to have your family and the stage you were at photographed at each house you lived it. Your children will be beyond grateful to see these in years to come!
You have anything you could possibly need. You can pull out a favorite book or a toy anytime your toddler needs to reorient. You can even make yourself a coffee or something stronger! :)
In-home sessions are the most relaxed, stress-free photo shoots with the most meaning to the family.
In-home sessions are often associated with a newborn but it does not always have to be the case! You can schedule your session with kids of any age or no kids at all! Read this ultimate guide for a stress-free in-home session.
A unique location for a family photo session
By now you have probably narrowed down what kind of location might be the best for your family but maybe there is still something missing! I want you to answer this question: Is there a special places that is absolutely unique to my family?
Is there a place that is so special to your family that no one else would ever get it or even use it for family photos? How would it feel to have your photos taken over there? Their meaning will be elevated to the sky. Feel free to share your thoughts with me, I am 100% open to suggestions and I do want your photos to feel special to YOU!
The days are long, but the years are flying by. Let’s make sure you have beautiful, heartfelt photos to remember this season of life. Reach out to book your session—I can’t wait to capture your family’s story! Fill out my inquiry to get in touch.
