Finding perfect locations for photographing families and other portrait sessions

When I first started out in photography- after I had learned my camera settings- the only thing that I would look for in a location is where the sun was. But the photograph didn’t always look complete. After an online mentorship with another photographer who critiqued my work, she pointed out another important aspect to enhance my photographs and that was composition. I then started looking at how my subject was framed. The arch of a tree over top of them, leading lines of a fence or pathway or waterline drawing my eye to them, were all important components to consider.

Secondly, I started noticing how the color of objects around my subject reflected onto them, especially green grass areas. That green grass was reflecting onto my subjects, and affecting the color. I started looking for reflective surfaces in locations that would diffuse some of that green. Those included sand on a beach, a sidewalk, blankets, a dirt path, stone, etc. These elements not only helped reflect some neutral color light back onto the subject but also did well with helping my composition especially with leading lines.

And lastly texture in a photo is another aspect I look for when choosing a location and/or placing my subject. Previously I had felt dissatisfied with flat grass in an area that seemed to not be helping my overall photograph. I started looking for something to add a foreground, midground, and background to my photograph. For example shooting behind some grass, tall grass framing my subject, an overarching branch or tree, and having elements that balance the photograph all became factors.

Although lighting will always be the most important aspect for photographs, these details are what have helped bring them to another level and make my photographs feel more complete.