Selecting the best location for your session?

A location can make or break a session. A great location should set the stage for your family’s experience during a session and unlock the perfect opportunities for fantastic family interactions. You might be thinking “well that is great information, but I have no idea where to start?!” I would encourage you not to panic or let that stop you from considering a family session. A great photographer can guide you through the process of selecting the perfect environment for your family while achieving the best family photos.

In this blog we will cover:

• How to select the perfect location for your family
• How a location can work with physical limitations your family might have
• How to select a location for large groups
• How to select the perfect location for your family

You know your family well. You know what makes your children light up. You know everyone’s quirks and what brings authentic engagement for each member of your family. I recommend starting at this point for a location selection. This will prioritize your family’s experience and create a joy filled time for you to all engage together being authentically yourselves.

Spend some time thinking about what you all like:

• What do you enjoy doing together?
• What makes your family smile?
• Would you like the session indoors or outdoors?

Thinking through these simple questions will begin to help you figure out the best location for your family. As a photographer, I have found that families want a space to relax and enjoy the process, so starting with these questions will set you up for a successful session.

Now let’s move to answer a few more questions based on what you have already decided that you wanted to in your session.

Outdoor session questions to consider:

• Would you like to make this an adventure or keep it simple?
• Would you like to incorporate water into your session?
• Would you like to incorporate some messy play into the session?
• Would your child enjoy playing simple games throughout the session?

Indoor or Home session questions to consider:

• Would you like to have your session in your home? (don’t worry about your home needing to be perfectly cleaned and organized. This is an authentic and beautiful snapshot of your life. As a photographer I keep the focus on the photos on your family and fun, so don’t worry about the pressure of perfection. We can make your family look beautiful in your home)
• Would you like your session in a studio?
• Would you like to incorporate food into your session?
• Would you like to incorporate your family’s favorite activities into the session? (example: legos, board games, bike riding, etc.)

Now that we have those questions answered, you have a direction you want to go and can select a location based on those preferences.

For my clients, I have created a location guide with a list of pros and cons for each location. When you read through this pros and cons list, compare the options to your session preferences to see if that location is the perfect fit for your family. This pros and cons list has grown from my personal experience in using these locations with clients. I have also included sample photos with each location so you know what to expect for the photos.

Want to check out the locations guide? Click here now to get access. 

Creating a perfect session with physical limitations.

Over the years I have had family sessions that have included children with special needs, wheelchair bound family members, or families with walking limitations. I want to let you know that my first priority is to make every person in the group comfortable and capture beautiful images of everyone looking their best. I had the beautiful opportunity with a family to capture photos of a father in the last year of his life. My goal the entire session was to capture him happy and looking healthy, knowing these were some of the last memories the family would have all together and this preservation was going to be priceless to them. Please know that I will take the same level of care and diligence with your family as well.

If you have physical limitations within your family, please let me know during a consultation call and we can customize your session to keep everyone set up for success during the session. I can help you select the perfect location for your family and I know we can capture beautiful moments for you no matter what the limitations are.

How to select a location for large groups

Do you want to include extended family in your session? Then a generational session is the option for you. This is an amazing opportunity to capture everyone together and create lasting memories.

In past sessions, I have joined family reunions, family holiday parties, or family traditions to help capture these precious memories. Generational sessions are your opportunity to customize the experience. We can simply pick a location from my suggestions, find a new location, or use your own home.

I am fully available to answer any questions you might have about locations and am able to give guidance to select the best option for your family. Don’t let the lack of a location stop you from booking a session! There are tons of options and I am available with suggestions and guidance.

Would you like to access my exclusive location guide? Click the button below