One of my favorite things to have a client say to me is that they want to do something different. Of course I love my tried and true locations like Rock Springs, but there is nothing quite like being given the creative freedom to design and shoot a totally unique image for a client. Sometimes my clients will have an idea in mind – a mood or look they want to achieve, and sometimes they will give me complete creative reign. For either instance I usually find myself hopping in my car and going for a drive to do a little location scouting.

So what exactly is location scouting? Location scouting is basically the process of seeking out the ideal location for your shoot. One of the great things about photography is that the necessities for a perfect location are often a lot less difficult to achieve than for film crews. Video teams often need outlets and power and room for equipment and places for the talent to change or use the restroom. But with photography – our list of wants for a prime location is smaller.

Mood
One of the most important things when looking for the perfect is that it is the right environment for the style of image you are wanting to create. For newborns or family portraits – sometimes the clients home is the perfect location. It provides a very personal and intimate touch to their portraits because it is their own home. Maybe you’re photographing a family with a bunch of energetic kids – why not find a really fun park that has a cool look to the play sets. Looking for something more grungy and urban – hit the city or downtown areas. Knowing what kind of mood you are wanting to create is the best place to start on your location scouting adventure.

Timing
This may seem like a weird thing to be concerned about but the time of day and the day of the week – and even if it’s a holiday that you’ll be shooting on – all can impact the scene you are working in. You may have found the perfect location in your downtown area, but if you scoped it out at 10:00 am on a Monday and your shoot is at 7:00 pm on a Saturday – you may find your location is super crowded with people and impossible to shoot in. It’s also important to remember that locations can change over time. So if the last time you shot in this location was a couple years ago – you may want to check it out again and be sure it hasn’t been torn down or changed.

Light
Obviously – the lighting in your location is important. Lighting is always important with photography. Your location may be perfect and beautiful and everything you ever dreamed of! But if the lighting is bad… it really isn’t much good. If you (or your photographer) use off camera lighting, sometimes that can improve a location with bad lighting. But in general I try to find spots where the light is good right from the get go. It also helps when scouting to bring a friend and take some test shots just to be sure the light is ideal.

Determine Space
This is another one to think about. I may have found a perfect little nook for a quick session with a 7 year old. I don’t need a ton of space for one small child. But that same space may be much too small and not ideal for a family of six. Knowing what your plans are with the space and how much space you need is important to finding the right location too.

Get Permission
Lastly and super important – gaining permission. Clearly for public spaces like parks or your clients home – permission isn’t needed. But if you have found a new location for a client that is someone’s property, getting their permission is a must! Sometimes it can be hard to track down an owner, especially if it’s an old barn in an empty lot or an abandoned building downtown. But it’s better to be sure you have permission and that everyone is safe and protected before you jump into a shoot with a client.

I honestly love location scouting! It’s wonderful to be able to provide my clients with my expertise and creative eye when I create imagery for them. And I’m always on the look out for new places to shoot. In fact, I’ve scared the hubby few times when he’s driving because I’ll get suddenly excited and yell out when I see a perfect spot. So keep your eyes peeled and ready – you never know what location gem you might find!