I have been so thrilled to read some of the messages that have poured in from this current series on choosing a location for your portrait session. Both clients and photographers have been able to gain some insight as to the differences from times of day to the seasons when making the decision for outdoor locations.

Part 1 of this series explained the differences of photographing clients at The Beach during the day verses evening. You can read Part 1 – The Beach post here.  While Part 2 went over some differences when photographing clients at The Park, looking at Golden Hour vs. Daytime and Spring vs. Summer. You can read Part 2: The Park post here. 

Today we’ll be looking at the differences between photographing “Anywhere” or “Somewhere Special.

 

To recap – here are some of the things that I like to take into consideration when talking to clients about where they should be photographed.

When you choose a piece of art for your walls, whether it be a painting or frame or tapestry, you are careful to be sure the textures, colors, and sizes will conform to your personal taste in your home. All the more reason to carefully plan the same for your custom family portraits.

“Where should we go for the photoshoot?” is always an important question when planning your experience.  Ideas such as the beach or the park are wonderful, but my goal with this blog series is to show the subtle differences in common locations so that you can choose a location that works perfectly for your family photography experience.
Key questions to ask yourself:

1. Where will these portraits be displayed? 

Will they be in the family room? What color is the room? What style is it? Rustic? Cottage? Industrial? The purpose behind capturing the photos should be for intentionally cultivating the relationships and preserving them through photography, but they are ultimately meant for display, so thinking about where they will be showcased is a key component.

I recently had a client execute this in the most perfect way. They have a sea glass green colored casual family room where they envisioned their family portraits to one day hang. We planned their session at the beach, earlier in the day to get the correct colors. When they received their final product order, including a series of large canvases, they blended perfectly into their room, picking up the colors from the sand and ocean, matching the walls, curtains, decorative bottles and sailboats. 

2. Is there a place or activity that is special, sentimental or significant to the people that will be in the photographs? 

Is your favorite family past time to go the beach? Do you spend every Sunday at the park? The boardwalk? And if so, do you want that location to have a voice in this event – or do you simply want to incorporate the colors or textures? Do you envision your children frolicking in the sand? Picking flowers? Throwing leaves?

You and your family will always be the focus and priority of the photography experience. The activities and memories shared during the session will be directly affected by the location you choose.

 

PART 3: ANYWHERE vs SOMEWHERE SPECIAL

Sometimes location doesn’t matter at all. When the session is focused on the people in the portraits, and not focused on the surroundings. Lighting is always important, but a mix of natural and artificial light, plus proper planning for time of day results in portraits that are very intimate and intentionally focused on the moments in them. The background is either intentionally photographed out of focus, or cropped close enough to concentrate the attention on the people. These sessions are planned anywhere – a backyard, a museum, a parking garage or a driveway. People are often surprised at the results from some unusual locations that you would never know the origin. It could be anywhere at all and the results would be just as beautiful.

In the opposite scenario – sometimes clients have a very special, or very sentimental place they would like to be photographed in. Often this place takes on a position in the portraits as an additional subject. Playing a role of importance just as high as the people in them. Giving the location a voice and personality of it’s own. Leaving its own mark on the session, and without it, the memories of the day would be totally different.

For example – first top left photograph in the collection of images below. “Waiting in the Field” This location was chosen specifically because the meaning of the name of this couple’s unborn child was “golden meadow”. When discussing possible locations for this couple’s maternity session, a “meadow” was at the top of the list. The meadow was showcased almost as much as the beautiful baby bump. The couple exchanged some incredible intimate moments and tears in that meadow that day, and the session would not have had the lasting impact it did in any other location. It was incredibly meaningful to them and their Wooden Heirloom box holds a tiny piece of that meadow to show their beautiful daughter someday.

Another example is the bottom left photograph “Before the Storm“. This location was chosen specifically because this Manhattan mother grew up creating many, many memories with her family at the Seaside, NJ boardwalk during her childhood. This classic Lifestyle Session took place starting at one end of the boardwalk, and ended in another. Along the way she told her family all about her youth; stories about her favorite shops and sweetest memories and then sharing each of their locations. Just 4 days after this session Hurricane Sandy completely destroyed this boardwalk. The only thing left was the memories of her youth, and the portrait session we had along the boardwalk.

To see PART 1 of this series, THE BEACH, click HERE.

To see PART 2 of this series, THE PARK, click HERE.

Interested in booking a session for your family this summer? Be sure to contact us before spots are completely full!

Thanks for visiting today!

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East Coast Fine Art Lifestyle Family Portrait Photographer Angelsea Urban 

Angelsea Urban is a photographer and entrepreneur helping women use their creative gifts to nourish their homes and cultivate their businesses through practical stewardship. Her unique photography work focuses on Redefining the Family Portrait Experience by telling the story of  family through personalized foundations while creating a space to strengthen family bonds throughout the experience. Angelsea has helped the careers of photographers, restaurateurs, musicians and general small business owners through teaching, workshops and consulting. Her ministry work focuses on fostering creative gifts in women entrepreneurs to prioritize family and discipleship. She has photographed for families, brides, Bravo TV, NFL Films, and more and has been featured on multiple blogs and magazine print for her work in photography and in business. Angelsea teaches and photographs the United States, and resides with her husband of 17 years, their two children, and their barely 3 pound Yorkie near Long Beach Island, New Jersey.  

To book your session with Angelsea Urban, please visit www.angelseaurban.com

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