How to Choose the Right Location for Your Family Photos

I have been photographing Long Island families for a decade now. Over the years, I have photographed my clients in a wide array of places. As a result, I have learned what works well and what doesn’t. Each family is unique, so I always take that into consideration. Prior to each and every session, my clients complete a questionnaire. These responses help me to suggest a location that is a good fit for their vision for their photos and their family’s personality.

Where you take your photos is important

The location will set the overall mood and feel for your family shoot.  When choosing the perfect place for your family session there are several things that you want to consider.  The ultimate goal for every session is for every family member to feel at ease and comfortable. You want a location that creates that environment. For example, for extended family sessions in which grandparents are participating, I might suggest a location that allows for seating on natural elements, limits walking and provides other areas of comfort for elderly family members. For families with ultra shy children, a backyard session might be best to allow the child to feel at ease.

I also need to know a little bit about you as a family and what you like to do. Are you outdoorsy people? Homebodies? Do you like to explore historic areas or prefer natural areas? All of these things will impact a location that is best suited for your family. Ultimately, the location should provide a beautiful backdrop, but more importantly, should reflect you as a family and allow you to be yourselves.

Possible Locations for Family Photos

1) The Beach

The beach is probably my favorite location for photos. It allows for natural images and the sessions tend to be the most fun and relaxed of all sessions. I love the movement that the wind a the beach provides. It allows hair and clothing to flow freely, which looks stunning in images, but also conveys emotion. If you are the type of person who does not like to get sandy or wet, then this spot is not for you. If you do not like movement in your clothing and hair from wind and prefer hair to look nat and polished in every photo, then the beach will not work. However, if you are ready to have fun, jump in the waves with your kids, cuddle up and watch the sunset and have some really intimate and beautiful images, captured, then the beach is for you. Because of lighting, beach sessions can only be scheduled at sunset or sunrise. In the Summer, sunset is anywhere from 7-8pm depending on the month in which you schedule the photos. Some families with young children, choose alternate locations based on this fact.

2)Nature Preserves

Nature preserves provide tons of visual interest to images with details like paths, trees, lakes and other natural elements that allow for beautiful images. I also love that when children are in nature, their natural inquisitive personality shows and I am able to capture tons of exploratory images that basically embody childhood. Many of these locations can work well for morning sessions as well; whereas, at the beach I am limited to shooting at sunrise/sunset. Some locations require more walking than others and this is a detail that we discuss during our pre session consult. You can get dirty and wet during these session, but it depends on the location. Nature preserves are awesome for Fall foliage sessions.

3) Your Home

Sometimes the best photos can be captured right at home. These images tend to have a more laid back and casual feel to them, but you can modify that with the wardrobe you. select. If you have a backyard, you can take the family outside to play for some portraits or more lifestyle oriented images. These images are classic and timeless.

4) Gardens/Arboretums

For clients who are looking for beautiful florals and gardens, local arboretums are the best option. The all do require an additional permit fee, but if you want stunning florals as your backdrop, it is worth the fee. I particularly love these locations in Spring, but many work equally as well in Fall. Many of the have beautiful historic buildings that serve as great backdrops as well.

5) Local Parks

In general, am not fond of standard local parks for sessions. In general, parks have a lot of obstructions and are flat for images, but certain parks work better than others. I also find that they can be a source of distraction to younger children because of playgrounds and people wandering about. With that being said, there are a few exceptions. For example, if the client feels that a park has meaning to their family, then I am happy to shoot there. Sometimes when a client is looking for a particular bloom such as cherry blossoms, I will schedule the session at a park that has the tree in bloom. Not every park is equal and some work better than others. Parks that have walking trails, golf course, water features or other details that give the images visual interest. Parks will lend itself to a more polished looking image because they tend to be neatly manicured.

6) My Studio

I absolutely adore my studio. It is set up and geared towards capturing lifestyle newborn and maternity photos, but can also be used for birthday, motherhood sessions and branding. This is great for families who prefer a more private location or are looking for more of a polished look to their images.

7) A Greenhouse or Local Nursery

A great option for clients who are looking for greens or florals, is a greenhouse or nursery. These locations are great on rainy days or sunny days, so it is a perfect choice if you lack flexibility for a rain date. I love these locations for mommy and me and maternity sessions, but ehy also work very well for families.

Are you interested in a family session? If so, contact me.