Choosing your Session Location :: Behind the Image

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a Behind the Image piece…and this afternoon gave us a great reason to go out and make one.

Some days you just need to get off the grid. Step away from the computer, feel the sunshine on your face, and just breathe. This is a busy week, I’m not going to lie. But I felt that it was important to make sure I kept some perspective in with the chaos…to be sure and remember the reason why I love what I do so much.

Because I get to be part of moments like this ::

I love it when people ask where they should do their session. And in the case of children, I offer two suggestions ::  the place where they love the most and are surrounded by the things that comfort them (usually the client’s home), or a brand new place they’ve never been – because it brings out a beautiful, natural curiosity that is nearly impossible to recreate in an everyday setting. For couples, maybe it’s somewhere you love, or something you enjoy doing together. Or a special place that marked a moment in time – like the swing at the little park where he asked to marry you. Or something completely different…just because you can.

I keep a running tally of favorite places I like to photograph :: places where I know that the light is sweet and soft, and where there’s a great range of opportunities to create beautiful images. And I’m always on the search for new, undiscovered corners. And part of the adventure is seeking them out, discovering the charm of the location, its nooks and crannies and just-right lighting.

Which brings us back to this afternoon. We needed a break from our routine. An adventure. So on one of the first warmer days of the season, we ventured out to seek new places of discovery. Boy, did we ever…and I’ll definitely be adding it to the list of favorite locations for your natural light portraits.