Easy photoshoot locations

I recently moved back to the town where I went to high school and booked a couple of clients. As usual, this question popped up:

“What location do you suggest?”
“What’s the perfect photoshoot location?”
“Where do you suggest we shoot?”

I’m sure if you are a photographer you’re nodding.

This blog post is for both photographers and clients which will help you to brainstorm some ideas for photoshoot locations in your area. I like to keep a few on hand which I trust.

Okay but don’t get me wrong, it is NOT always about the location at all. However, being a female photographer I can’t just venture off with a model or a family into a dodgy forest. I need locations that are safe, that are functional and I don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get into.

I like to ask my clients what vibe they are going for. Do you want something cozy and homely? More of a natural setting? Perhaps their horse like above. Maybe they want to go to a city.

Here’s a list of photoshoot locations you may not have thought of

• Your local park.
• Your local reserve. I have an eco-reserve 10 minutes from my office which is safe, large enough that it does not look like the same location everytime and it is beautiful.
• A local coffee shop. Work out a deal with your local coffee shop such as taking photos for their social media in return that they let you shoot there when needed.
• A large empty piece of land / field. This might be more of a dangerous one, especially in South Africa. However, you can achieve some beautiful results from it.

• An equestrian centre nearby. I recently shot an engagement session at one and it was stunning! It was nestled in hills, surrounded by large trees.
• A parking lot. Now this may sound a bit odd but if you take a couple or model to one it can work! My local mall has a parking lot on top of the building which has a stunning sunset view. Be prepared for security to chase you away – but just be friendly, they might let you stick around.
• Home! I think this one is so underrated! Shooting in your home really captures the essence of you in your everyday surroundings. This one is especially perfect for couples.

• If you’re in the city, the top of buildings can work really well. It is very difficult to find one to shoot in. However, if you have a friend who has access to one, do make use of it. 100% recommend it!
• The street. Every town has pretty streets – maybe not many but they do have. This is free and no one will chase you.
• A river / dam / lake / stream. Don’t underestimate the power of water in a photo! Sunset makes any body of water the most romantic location.
• Textured walls. Have you ever driven passed a building and a certain part of the building was interesting? Use it!
• A nursery. This one is great! Chat to your local nursery or botanical garden and see if they will let you shoot there.

• In front of plants. Yep, nothing fancy but your garden or interesting foliage will do here. As pictured above, this was in front of palm-type bushes.
• Broken-down buildings. Be careful in these but you should get some really moody shots.
• A hiking trail. It’s also a fun activity to do!

To sum it up, almost any location can be worked with.

As a client, think of where you see yourself in. If you hate being outisde and in the wilderness, why would you want to have your photos taken there? Maybe you and your lover are bookworms, it would be more genuine if you did your photoshoot at home snuggled up or maybe a cozy coffee shop or library.

As a photographer, photoshoot locations will become more apparent as you shoot. You will see which location suits which kind of session and so forth.

Keep shooting,

Siobhan

My socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbrazierphotography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbrazierphotography/

Still not sure which photoshoot location is right for you?

At the end of the day, the best photoshoot locations are the ones that fit the mood you’re after and feel comfortable to shoot in. If you’re weighing up a few photoshoot locations and want a second opinion, I’m always happy to talk it through before we book. Take a look through my portfolio to see how different locations play out in real sessions, or head to bookings to lock in your date.

I have stood on both sides of a first photoshoot, and I know exactly how intimidating that first session can feel. These are my tips for your first photoshoot — the preparation that actually matters, from someone who has guided hundreds of people through it. Consider this your pre-session ritual.

Choose your photographer the way you would choose a portrait of yourself

Before anything else: work with someone whose images you can see yourself in. If you are torn between photographers, study their galleries and ask whether their light, their editing and their way of seeing people feels like the way you want to be seen. I have written a full guide on how to choose a photographer worth reading first.

Prepare your body — gently, and in advance

• Hair colour: book it at least a week before the session, so the colour settles into something natural.
• Tanning: the same rule, but longer — one to two weeks, so it softens before it is photographed.
• Skip anything drastic the week of the shoot. A first photoshoot is not the moment to experiment with your face or hair. You want to look like yourself on a very good day.

Prepare your wardrobe the night before

Iron everything. Hang everything. Clean your shoes. The night-before ritual is what lets the morning feel calm instead of chaotic — and calm photographs beautifully.

Underwear deserves real thought: black shirts want black bras, white or sheer pieces want nude, backless pieces want stick-ons, and trousers should be checked for visible lines before the day. It is the least glamorous part of preparation and the one people most often regret skipping.

Makeup and hair

Going to a makeup artist? Arrive with a completely clean face, moisturiser and your own foundation in hand. Doing your own? You can go slightly stronger than usual — especially the eyes — but resist heavy foundation. A photographer can retouch a blemish; a caked base is much harder to rescue, and you will not need it. Skin is meant to look like skin.

For hair, ask your stylist whether to arrive washed or if they prefer to do it themselves. Styling it yourself? Clean, dry and natural photographs best — this is not the day to fight your hair into being something it is not.

Practise presence, not poses

I send my clients a simple posing guide before solo sessions — not to memorise, but to make friends with the mirror. Learn which side you prefer, which angles feel like you, where you might feel self-conscious. Then let it go. On the day, your photographer directs; your only job is to be present.

Bring your soundtrack

I play music through every session and always ask for requests — it is the quickest way to turn a set into a room you can relax in. I keep a few playlists ready, like this one.

Final tips for your first photoshoot

The real secret behind all these tips for your first photoshoot is simple: prepare well, then trust the process and exhale. If you are ready to put this preparation to use, browse my portrait portfolio to see what a guided session looks like, or start the conversation on my booking page.

Until next time,
Siobhan

How to choose a photographer to work with

Choosing a photographer to work with can be tricky – especially if it’s your first time hiring a professional photographer. These days everyone knows or knows of a photographer, however, there is a considerable amount of factors to take into account when trying to pick a photographer to capture your memories.

Let’s break down some factors that you can take into account:

1. What genres they capture

This is my number 1 beyond anything else! If you are getting married choose a wedding photographer. If you want your family to be captured, find a family/lifestyle photographer. Photographers niche their work. Yes, we are capable of capturing photos in general but when it comes to spending you need to take into account the photographers speciality. With most services, businesses aim to only work within their niche. From what I’ve seen in the past, clients can be let down by not getting a photographer with skills in the “field” they want. For example, my strengths lie with portraiture and weddings. While I can capture families and new-borns, it’s not my niche.

2. The photographer’s editing style

Not to be confused with their genres. If you like bright and airy photos, you don’t want to choose a photographer with a moody editing style. Similar to their niche, their editing strengths usually lie within:

• Creative edits
• Moody edits
• Bright and airy edits

There are hundreds of editing styles! However, if you choose to hire a photographer with moody editing, don’t expect your images to come out bright and airy. This is a common occurrence with clients & photographers.

3. THEIR PORTFOLIO

Depending on what your session entails, you would want some sort of a portfolio from the photographer. If a photographer is still in their early days, they may have a limited portfolio – we all start somewhere. However, be sure that they have a portfolio of some sort. This will help you get a feel for their work and if it’s something you see yourself being a part of. You should be able to see some previous work through their social media or website.

4. REVIEWS

I love using reviews to ensure my potential clients feel safe and want to ensure that they can trust me with capturing them. This isn’t a must – but if the photographer does have them available on their social media or website it’s always good to read! If they have Facebook reviews, that’s also a good way to find out if clients enjoyed their session. Reviews aren’t always the be all and end all!

5. PRICING

The “controversial” topic. Basic psychology plays a role in this – usually the higher the price, we perceive it as more valuable and of higher quality. Lower prices usually mean cheaper, not of higher quality. Keep in mind this is not always the case. The pricing ultimately comes down to the photographer and how they price themselves. Some photographers base their pricing on their personal cost of business, while others base their prices on their competitor. While some people don’t care about pricing, others do and that is why it’s a factor.

FINAL THOUGHTS

My final advice to you, is if you ADORE a photographers work and you see yourself in their photographs, then that’s the one to go for. If their portfolio resonates with you and makes you smile and excited, go with them.

What other factors do you take into account?

Siobhan

How to choose a photographer who is right for you

At the end of the day, choosing a photographer to work with comes down to trust — do their images look and feel like the story you want told? I always encourage clients to look past the highlight reel and ask about experience, communication, and how a session actually feels on the day. If you’d like to see how these factors play out in real sessions, take a look through my portfolio or get in touch to chat about what you’re after.