Your session date is booked, and now it's time to find a location for your photoshoot. Looking and finding the perfect location can be a bit challenging. Sometimes, we don't even know where to begin.
Below are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a location for your session.
HELLO!
location
LOCATION
When looking for a location, what look or feel would you like your photos to have?
Nature/natural: This can be a nature park with lots of green grass and tall trees, trails, open field, a location with little to no busyness in the background, like buildings.
High fashion/urban: This is in a busy neighborhood or downtown area with lots of big buildings, reflective windows, and metal accents, giving lots of contrast to the photos and the look and feel of a busy city.
Vintage: This can be either old architectural buildings with wooden doors and big arches or it can mean that they want a location where there are lots of vintage accents, like a neighborhood of restored or historical homes.
Beach: This can be a beach or waterfront near you. A beach early in the morning will give you a more blue and pink hue whereas during sunset you'll get the beautiful golden hour lighting.
Meaningful location: This can be where you met (for couples/engagements) or simply where you spend a lot of your time together. This can also be a location for graduates at a college or high school.
Homey: This can be in the comfort of your home or a place you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Time can be a huge factor in choosing the right location because daylight changes by the hour.
Photographing in a park that is rich in trees and greenery can help shade your face from the afternoon light or keeping the sun off your eyes (avoiding harsh shadows on the face and squinty eyes). This is why I love photographing in state/nature parks, because it offers shaded areas with beautiful natural backdrops.
Photo Info: Mckethan Park, Brooksville, FL - Makayla Brown Senior Session
time
SESSION TIME
Beach sessions are recommended during the latter part of the day where bright light and colors are captured without the harsh shadows on the face. Or, you could schedule your session during the golden hours for a warmer tone to your images.
Photo Info: St Pete Beach, St Pete, FL - Watson Fam. - Extended Family Session
One last note: some families need to keep nap times and energy levels in mind when scheduling a session. If you have a child that needs a nap at 2 pm, than you can choose to have the session in the morning or in the evening when your child is at its best.
Photo Info: Medard Park,, Plant City, FL - Irwin Fam. - Lifestyle Family Session
Photo Info: John Chesnut State Park, Palm Harbor, FL - Extended Family Session
LOCATIONS TO CONSIDER
where?
PARKS
Brooksville, FL
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- Mckethan Lake State Park, 15185 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601
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- Lake Townsen Regional Park, 28011 Lake Lindsey Rd, Brooksville, FL 34601
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- Tom Varn Park , 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville,FL
Hudson, FL
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- Aripeka Sandhills Preserve, 18000 Aripeka Rd, Hudson, FL 34667
New Port Richey, FL
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- Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34655
Palm Harbor, FL
- John Chesnut State Park, 2200 E Lake Rd S, Palm Harbor, FL 34685
Plant City, FL
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- Medard Park, 6140 Edward Medard Pkwy, Plant City, FL 33567
Safety Harbor, FL
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- Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Spring Hill, FL
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- Crew's Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34610
St. Pete, FL
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- Sawgrass Lake Park, 7400 25th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
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- Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
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- North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Tampa, FL
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- Cypress Point Park, 5620 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
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- Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637
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- New Tampa Nature Park, 17001 Dona Michelle Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
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- Rivercrest Park, 4802 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33603
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- Swann Circle Park, 4428 W Swann Ave S Tampa, FL 33609
Tarpon Springs, FL
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- Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Temple Terrace, FL
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- Scout Park/ Riverhills Park, 329 South Riverhills Dr. Temple Terrace, FL 33617
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- Woodmont Park, 407 Woodmont Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33167
Thonotosassa, FL
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- Morris Bridge Conservation Park, 13630 Morris Bridge Rd. Thonotosassa, FL 33592
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- Hillsborough River State Park , US-301 N, Thonotosassa, FL 33592
Wesley Chapel, FL
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- Union Park
GARDENS
Spring Hill, FL
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-Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave, Spring Hill, FL
Lakeland, FL
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- Hollis Garden, 702 East Orange Street, Lakeland, FL
URBAN/DOWNTOWN AREAS
Tampa, FL
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- Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave, Tampa 33602
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- Davis Islands, 1002 Severn Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
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- Tampa Riverwalk, Downtown Tampa, FL
BEACHES
Hernando, FL
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- Pine Island Beach, 10800 Pine Island Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34607
Cleaarwater, FL
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- Clearwater Beach, FL
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- Sand Key Park, 1060 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
St. Pete, FL
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- Pass-a-grille, FL 33706
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- Fort De Soto, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Tampa, FL
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- Cypress Point Park (waterside), 5620 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
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- Davis Islands Beach, 900 Martinique Ave, Tampa 33606
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- Picnic Island Park, 7404 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa 33616
Tarpon Springs, FL
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- Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
And more...
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Treasure Island
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Madeira beach
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Caladesi Island
UNIVERSITIES/CAMPUS
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University of Tampa, Tampa, FL
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University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
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University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
These are just a few that I have had the opportunity to photograph at, but there are plenty more on that list that I would love to visit.
I hope these tips and suggestions help you get you started. Most important thing to keep in mind, if you have a nice backyard or if your house is located on a street with brick roads or in a historical town, you may not even have to go too far for your photoshoot!