Having photographed at countless locations over the years, I’ve stumbled upon some tried and true spots with great light and a beautiful background. First and foremost, though, is choosing a location that suits YOU best!
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Is there a location that’s significant or special to your family? A place you enjoy hanging out at? What about an activity you do together as a family?
I also prefer to shoot in quieter locations because most people don’t like having an audience during our session. If a passerby happens upon us it can make an already nervous subject feel even more uncomfortable. The more you are focusing on each other and not distracted by the environment, the better our shots will be!
Click the photo below to see a few of my favorite spots!
What time should we schedule our session?
Family sessions can be tricky when it comes to timing our shoot. Typically, I prefer to start sessions 90 minutes before sunset. This gives us plenty of time to utilize the softest and most flattering light of the day.
The one exception to this rule is if you have children whose mood is generally predictable depending on the time of day. Little ones around 1 – 3 years old might not be at their best just before a meal or nap time. I have noticed a trend and many parents tell me that early-ish in the morning, around 9am or 10am, is typically a meltdown free time zone. If this is the case we throw rule numero uno out the window and let the kids dictate the time. You know your child best so you let me know when your kids will probably be at their happiest. I’d much rather have a happy child than perfect light.
If this is the case we’ll just want to make sure we choose a spot with ample trees and shade to work in when choosing a location for your family session.
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