Choosing a location for your senior session is one of the most important decisions you need to make! Not just any location either – it needs to fit in with your personality and the style of your shoot.

Here are a few tips to help you narrow down your options:

Decide what you want your photos to say about you.

Who are you? Do you love the outdoors, art, sports? Are you a bit of a flower child, more into glam or a little bit country? Jot down the things you love, hopefully a few location ideas should spring to mind. Your photos need to showcase your personal style, so choose your location accordingly. I have a list of local spots for you!

Look for locations with different features.

To ensure your photographer can capture a variety of photos, look for a location with different spots and features. Examples of features include fences, trees, rocks, paths, walls, a swing, water or anything that can be used as a backdrop.

Find out about possible restrictions.

If you’re considering using a commercial location, find out whether you need a permit to take photos. Keep in mind that permits can sometimes take several weeks to process.

Consider timing.

Some locations are busier than others and if you want to avoid crowds of people, you will need to time your shoot well. It’s better to have as little people in the background of your photos as possible.

Lighting matters too.

Natural light is a must for photos, including your senior portraits. You could have the best background, but if the lighting is bad, you won’t get the best results. It’s also important to remember that you might need to time your shoot around the best lighting. I always bring lighting to suit any location and time of day and to supplement existing natural lighting.

Decide what you want to wear.

The outfit you choose for your senior photo session also matters when choosing a location. For example, wearing an evening dress to the park doesn’t exactly work very well. Your outfit should also match your personality, so decide on this before you start looking at locations.

Get creative.

There are no set rules when it comes to choosing a location for your photo session. Get creative, think outside the box, and choose a location that suits you. Ask around about interesting venues, take a drive through your city, or turn to Pinterest for some inspiration.

Explain your vision to your photographer – I have a number of local location suggestions to offer.