How to Choose the Best Location For a Morning Photo Session
I schedule most of my outdoor photo sessions one hour before sunset. This time of day which is known as golden hour, has the softest light and creates a dreamy and ethereal quality to your images. I just love the golden glow of the sunset and the soft colors this time of day creates. While, I will never shoot in harsh mid day sun, I do offer sessions during the morning hours. This is because for some clients, sunset is too late for their little ones and they would rather schedule the session at a time of day at which their child feels his best. I am happy to accomodate that request and can do so while maintaining a style similar to that which you see on my portfolio.
In order to provide my clients with images that are aligned with my style of family photography, there are a couple of things I have to think about when selecting a location for your morning session.
Good Light is Everything!
Light is the most important factor when searching for a location. The light determines everything, and it is my number one priority – always.
I use an app called Sun Seeker to determine whether a spot will be good for a session or not, and I always scout out the location beforehand to see it in real-time, at exactly the time I plan to shoot there. Sun Seeker allows you to see exactly where the sun will be at any given spot, on any day, at any point in time. It also shows you when the sun rises and sets there – so there’s nothing left to surprise you when arrive. It’s SO helpful, and I seriously don’t plan a session out without it!
For morning sessions I use this to determine if there will be shaded areas at the location and to make sure there will be an abundance of even light. I do not schedule morning sessions at open fields or at the beach. Instead, I need a location that has some shade to filter and soften the light. It could be a park or an urban setting as long as it has some sort of shade.
If I am looking for light for a sunrise or sunset session, I always keep in mind that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so I am sure to factor that in when deciding what location to choose.
Choose a Location that has Depth and Texture
I prefer locations that provide depth and texture. What does that mean? Quite simply…a location that isn’t flat. This could be a location with lots of rocks, florals, paths, wooded areas, brushes etc. These things allow for visual interest and will help you to give your clients variety in their images.
Factor in Your Client’s Needs
I know we all want to create work that is unique and artistic, but we also need to capture the moments our clients want. At the end of the day, their images are about them and not to serve our creative desires, although that creative spirit certainly plays a role.
With that being said, if your client has a location they prefer and it is not aligned with your vision, you should still shoot at that location. However, if the location does not provide the required light for a morning session, I will ask the client to either switch the time of day to accomodate the location and if that is not possible, switch to an alternate location.
You also have to factor in the needs of your clients when selecting a location. Do the children need space to run free? Does it need to be close to parking because of walking limitations? Should it be dog friendly? Are there textural issues for the children? These are all things you need to find out before you suggest a location.
Look for variety
As a family photographer who serves Nassau County, it can be a challenge to find locations that offer wide variety, but it is not impossible. When you are scouting for a location, be sure to look for other spots that are super close in proximity. That way, you can maximize your location and make it seem as if you guys went to multiple locations – though you only went to one!
For example, all of these spots for this recent extended family session were within 30 yards or so of each other, but it looks as if we went to multiple locations!