The idea of choosing a photo shoot location can be a daunting task but fortunately most of the time the answer to which location is really on your mind, you just need to commit to the idea of it. Which is why, I decided to share some advice on How to Find the Perfect Photo Shoot Location.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you decide on a location:

1. What kind of theme do I want?
   

   If a particular building or natural backdrop would work well with your theme, look around your area for spots that meet your requirements. If you don’t know what kind of backdrop you want, take an afternoon drive around your city for inspiration. It’s easy to overlook beautiful spots that are practically in your backyard. Ask family, friends or your photographer for ideas too. Some examples of themes would be: rustic, on the water, cityscape, garden, park, or something more unique.
   

2. Are you allowed to take pictures there?
   

   Make sure that you can legally take pictures at the location that you have in mind. If it’s not public property or available to the public you will need to get permission first. Alot of locations, especially in the DC area do require a permit which most times is associated with an additional permit fee that youre responsible for paying.

3. Is it accessible?
   

   Consider that not all outdoor locations may be available all year round or you might not be able to get to them at all. Your safety is also an important aspect to think about before you decide on a location. Taking pictures on a mountain ledge may look neat but it’s best not to put yourself in harm’s way.

   

4. How do you get to your location?
   

   Will it be easy to walk to the session location and if not, are you able to change your clothing and touch up your hair and makeup before the shoot? You should also find out whether there is a restroom that’s close enough in case you need it.

5. Will the photo session be in a public place?
   

   If the location you have chosen has a lot of foot traffic, you need to ask yourself whether you are comfortable being photographed in front of others. If not, you might want to rethink your choice in location.
   

Make sure that your location doesn’t become a distraction and that there is shelter nearby if you need it. Your location tells a story so it’s worthwhile to choose a meaningful spot.

If these tips don’t help and or you need some more concrete ideas, head on over to my blog where I give you exact examples of locations to choose from. Find that here.

If this How to Find the Perfect Photo Shoot Location post was helpful, you might also find these helpful:
The Best Time of Day For Photos 
How to Back Up Your Images