It is always said the Location Is Everything–but maybe not in the ways you are used to thinking.
Location Is Everything In Terms Of Light
Many times when I ask clients if they have any particular locations in mind the answer is a generic “field of flowers.” Let’s face it–that is a natural for girls’ Senior Portraits. However, many places like that are on private property or not available at all times. So we need to get creative and improvise. Plus, you really don’t want every session to look exactly the same, do you?
As a professional Senior Portrait Photographer in Saratoga NY, I have come to the realization that it is never really about the “best” location. Instead, it is about the best light. To illustrate this point, I recently took some behind the scenes photos of some locations I used on a recent Senior Session around Saratoga.
Getting Creative About Senior Portrait Locations
These are all locations that many people would not notice or think to use because they are not thinking in terms of the best light. And sometimes people think I am crazy when I pull over during a session. But it always ends up being pretty great.
Senior Portrait Locations No. 1
Most people would just keep driving by this location.
I drive by this location every day, sometimes multiple times a day. This is interesting because it looks different at different times of the day. When we used it for Rachel’s Senior Portrait Session, it was later in the day and gave us great open shade. The light was directional, but soft. And I love the way her white dress looks with the white Queen Anne’s Lace flowers.
Senior Portrait Locations No. 2
Parking Lots have potential.
You might be surprised at what you can find just driving around. This is a location I drive past quite a bit. If you know how to light people, it is great. We were here in the late afternoon and it was pretty magical.
Senior Portrait Locations No. 3
This looks like truly awful location if you don’t know how to use it correctly. LOL.
This is the kind of location I would have done absolutely anything to avoid when I was first starting out. I don’t love it like I love Location No. 2, but I did like the idea of having flowers in the foreground. While the light is not the absolute best in the final photo, I think overall that it is ok and the foreground, middle ground and background make for a really interesting photo. And you really can’t tell it is a parking lot, can you?
I think you will agree, that when you shift your perspective away from the typical “pretty” locations, you can often find alternative portrait locations that are many times unique and beautiful.
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