Top 5 Locations for your Family Photo Session
Choosing a location for your session may seem overwhelming, and the truth is, it IS important (especially if you have a specific look in mind), but you don’t have to do it alone. I help all clients choose a location that best fits their vision, but today, I’m sharing my top 5 location choices, perfect for every type of session.
Location 1: In-Home
One of my all-time favorite location options for any and every type of session is my clients’ home/property. I didn’t always feel this way- the prospect of showing up to someone’s home, site unseen, used to intimidate me- what if the lighting wasn’t ideal? what if there wasn’t a ‘good’ spot to shoot? I was worried for nothing. These sessions have recently become some of my favorites, and I’ll tell you why. First and foremost, every in-home session is SO unique and personal to the family that lives there. It doesn’t get any more authentic than you and your family hanging out at home. Secondly, these sessions lend themselves perfectly to ‘activity based’ sessions (which are also becoming a favorite of mine. These are sessions that incorporate something that you and your family love doing together and are great for making and preserving memories, capturing authentic, unique images, and ensuring that even the trickiest of toddlers are totally at ease during the session.)
When most people think of in-home sessions they tend to think these are for newborn sessions- and they are! But they’re also perfect for ANY session, newborn or otherwise. I’ve shot in-home sessions where we played games and made pizza, a session where we raced on scooters and made s’mores around the bonfire, sessions where we made Sunday brunch/another meal together as a family, a session where mama gave her baby a bath, and one where we sat on the front stoop and drew with chalk and blew bubbles. And every single one is SO special. But don’t worry, if none of that sounds right for your and your family, you can also just snuggle on your couch in your pjs. Not only do these in-home sessions allow for you to make a new memory with your family and provide the perfect setting for beautiful images, but they also help freeze these memories that you’re already making on a regular basis, when no one is watching. What better way to spend your session?
Location 2: Open Meadow/Tall grasses
Arguably my most requested location type and one of my favorites for outdoor Golden Hour Sessions. This location is typically the best in Summer/Fall, as this is the time of year that the grasses are tallest and wild flowers may also be in bloom. If you love the look of tall grasses blowing in the wind and hazy, golden images, this may be the setting for you. I get it, there’s something magical about the golden glow of the sun, soft, hazy bursts of light, and wind. When I first started shooting this was hands down my favorite type of session to shoot- and don’t get me wrong, I still love them!- but meadow sessions have a very specific look. If that’s the look you love, then don’t worry, we’ll make it happen. The exact meadow we choose will vary depending on the time of day and time of year we’re shooting, but I promise I have a lot of options to choose from, if the images below are in line with what you’re looking for!
Location 3: Creek area
Creeks are another fun location option, especially for those sweltering July/August sessions. These sessions are perfect for the family who likes to play and explore and isn’t afraid of a little mess. We’ll always do our best to stay out of the water and snap those more traditional images at the start of the session, but the magic really happens when your littles start exploring and playing. I love adding movement into sessions and splashing and skipping stones is the perfect way to do it. Want to get all the way in? Yup, I’m down with that, too! Want to make a day of it and start with a picnic before cooling off? I’m in for that, too. One of the biggest positives of this location, in my opinion, is how casual you can be in your styling. I’m picturing bathing suits, cut offs, bare feet, and popsicles this Summer. If any of that speaks to you and feels authentic to your family, this could be the location for you.
Location 4: Urban Setting
I know I’ve said this about all the location choices so far, but this one is also super fun and unique. If you’re looking for something a little different from every other family session you see posted, this could be a great option for you. Is there somewhere in your city that means a lot to you and your family? Let’s plan a session there! Love a certain neighborhood, coffee shop, or park? I bet we can create an amazing gallery there together. Urban locations are also a perfect option when the forecast isn’t going our way and the sky is cloudy/overcast. You may be disappointed if that’s the forecast the day of your session, however, it’s actually perfect and allows us to shoot anywhere we want without worrying about harsh shadows. Plus, if we’re not depending on the sun, we can use the buildings and parks around us to introduce color and visual interest into your photos!
A couple of sessions that I’ve been envisioning that fit into this more urban, less all-natural setting include a session at a playground, skatepark, or favorite ice cream shop. The best part about an Urban Setting is that we can really get creative and think outside the box about what we want your session to look like. What are the things you like to do together as a family? Where do you like to spend your time? Let’s plan a session around it that’s completely unique to your family.
Location 5: Wooded Area
The fifth and final session location I always like to suggest to clients, depending on what they’re looking for, is the more wooded area. Like all of the locations above, some people will love this idea, and others may not think it’s the best option for their family- it’s all about choosing a location that works for you! I’m always open to shooting in the woods, but I definitely prefer this type of setting in the Fall and Winter. In the Fall, there’s no better place to soak up all of the Ohio colors. In the Winter, when there’s not a whole lot else going on in terms of the landscape, an evergreen forest will always be a beautiful option for photos. This is also my preference for photos that give a nod to the holiday season but are neutral enough to hang all year round. If you like the look of brown and rich green in your photos, there’s no better option than the woods! I’m also always down for an adventure, so if your family loves hiking, or knows of a secret spot you like to explore, that you think would make a good session location, I’m always down for an adventure! And don't worry, if you like the look of the images below, but don’t want to hike to some remote spot with your family, I have plenty of options I can suggest that are nice and close to the parking lot :)
There’s no wrong choice when it comes to choosing a location for your family session, but as you can (*hopefully*) see here, the location you choose WILL have an impact on the look and feel of your final gallery. The time of year, time of day, and colors at the location you choose all impact the overall color scheme of your photos. No matter what session location you choose, you’ll want to work with your photographer to make sure you’re styling your family in a way that compliments the setting and adds to the overall feel of the photos, rather than competing with it (yup- I help with that, too!). So before your next family session, take some time to really look through your photographer’s images. Which images, colors, and settings stick out to you? Think about if there’s any activity or location that’s special to your family the you want to incorporate into your session. What time of year are you planning on having your session? All of these factors can help you narrow down the location that’s best for you and your family.
So, what do you think? Which session location is your favorite? Where are we going for your next session? Let’s get it planned and make some memories!
