So you've booked your photo session!
You've picked your outfits.
You've convinced everyone to participate.
You've even managed to get the kids out the door with both shoes on.
And now comes the big question:
"Where are we taking these pictures?"
This is usually where people start scrolling through Google, Instagram, Pinterest, and approximately 47 different park websites trying to find the perfect location.
But here's the secret:
The perfect location isn't necessarily the prettiest one.
It's the one that fits you.
A beautiful location can certainly help create beautiful images, but the setting should work with your family, your personality, your outfits, the light, and the kind of experience you want to have.
Photographers commonly consider things like light, accessibility, distractions, variety, and whether the setting helps people feel comfortable.
So how do you actually choose? Let's talk about it.
Do you want them to feel:
- Romantic?
- Playful?
- Cozy?
- Adventurous?
- Elegant?
- Relaxed?
- Colorful?
- Quiet and intimate?
The answer can help narrow things down quickly.
For example, if you're dreaming of romantic images, a garden or open field might be perfect.
If you're an adventurous couple who would rather explore than stand still, we might choose somewhere where we can get lost in the woods.
If you want something more urban and editorial, downtown surroundings might be a better fit.
The location should feel like an extension of your story, not just a pretty backdrop.
What Do You Actually Like to Do Together?
Where do you spend time together?
Where do you take your kids?
Where do you go on weekends?
Where do you go to take a breath?
Where do you go when you need to get outside?
A meaningful location can make your photos feel even more personal. A location doesn't have to be famous or Instagram-famous to matter. Sometimes the places that already hold memories for you make the most meaningful settings.
Maybe your favorite place is a quiet park.
Maybe it's the beach.
Maybe it's your backyard.
Maybe it's your favorite coffee shop.
Maybe it's your home, where your kids actually feel comfortable enough to be themselves.
There is no rule that says your photo session has to happen somewhere with a lighthouse and a beachy breeze.
Consider Your Kids' Personalities
If you're planning a family session, this one matters a lot.
Have a toddler who needs to move constantly?
Let's give them somewhere they can explore.
Have a shy child who takes a while to warm up?
A quieter location might be better.
Have older kids who love running around?
Let's use that.
You don't need to choose a location that forces your child to stand still for an hour.
Honestly, that sounds terrible for everyone involved.
Instead, I want the location to give your kids room to be kids.
Open fields, trails, beaches, parks, and other spaces with room to move can give us opportunities for walking, playing, exploring, and interacting naturally.
And those moments often make some of the best photographs. Trust me.
Think About the Light
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This is where I start getting a little nerdy.
Because as much as I love a beautiful location...
I'm always chasing the light.
The direction of the sun, available shade, the time of day, and the way light moves through a location can completely change how it photographs.
A location that looks gorgeous at 7 p.m. might look completely different at noon.
That's why I don't just choose a location based on what it looks like in an Instagram photo.
I'm also thinking about:
- Where the sun will be
- Where we'll have shade
- How the light falls through trees
- Whether there are open areas
- Whether we can move around
- What the background will look like
- How the location will look at our scheduled time
- If the Daylight Savings transition affects this date
This is one of the reasons I may recommend a specific location or session time even if another place looks prettier on paper.
Pretty + bad light isn't always better than simple + gorgeous light.
How Much Walking Are We Doing?
This is an important question that doesn't get talked about nearly enough.
A location might look beautiful, but if getting to the good spot requires a mile-long hike in dress shoes...
Maybe not.
Especially if you're:
- Pregnant
- Bringing toddlers
- Photographing grandparents
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes
- Dealing with Florida heat
- Carrying approximately 14 bags of snacks and emergency supplies
We want the experience to be enjoyable.
So when choosing a location, I'll consider how accessible it is and how much walking makes sense for your particular session.
Think About Your Outfits
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Your location and outfits should work together.
If you're wearing a flowy dress and your partner is dressed up, a garden, field, or beautiful natural setting might complement that look.
If you're wearing jeans and boots, a more casual outdoor location might feel more natural.
If you're planning a more editorial look, architecture or an urban setting might make more sense.
This is why I recommend choosing your outfits and location somewhat together instead of treating them like completely separate decisions.
And yes, I have a whole guide about what to wear for engagement sessions if you're currently staring at your closet wondering why you own nothing.
Do You Want Variety?
Another thing I look for is whether a location gives us multiple looks.
A great session location might have:
- Open fields
- Trees
- Interesting textures
- A path
- Water
- Beautiful shade
- Different backgrounds
That means we can move around and create a gallery that feels varied without driving to five different locations.
What About Privacy?
Some people love a busy public park.
Others would rather not have an audience while they're trying to flirt with their spouse in front of a camera.
Both are valid.
If you're someone who feels self-conscious easily, a quieter location may help you relax.
And if you're bringing young kids, fewer distractions can sometimes make the whole experience easier.
If you want a little more privacy, let me know. That's something I can take into consideration when helping you choose a location.
Don't Forget the Season
The same location can look completely different depending on the time of year.
Flowers bloom.
Trees change.
Fields get greener.
Sunset times shift.
Weather changes.
And yes, Florida sometimes decides that the season is actually "hot and humid" for six months.
When we're planning your session, I'll think about what the location typically looks like during that time of year and what kind of light we can expect.
What If You Have No Idea Where You Want to Go?
That's completely fine.
One of the things I love helping with is figuring this out.
Tell me what you like and don't like.
Tell me what you're drawn to.
Send me screenshots.
Tell me what you absolutely don't want.
Tell me whether you hate hiking.
Tell me if your toddler is a professional runner.
Tell me if you want trees, water, fields, architecture, or something more intimate.
From there, we can narrow it down.
And Yes, We Can Photograph at Home
Don't overlook your own home!!!!!!
I am emphasizing this greatly!
Especially for maternity, newborn, or family sessions, an in-home session can be incredibly meaningful.
Your home is where your everyday life happens.
It's where your kids play.
Where you cuddle on the couch.
Where your baby takes their first steps.
Where you make breakfast together.
Those ordinary moments can become some of the most meaningful photographs because they actually belong to your story.
What About Tallahassee?
What about it???
We live in SUCH a special place, y'all.
There are plenty of beautiful options throughout the area—from parks and gardens to trails, water, and open spaces. I'm so happy to be based here!
But I don't believe there is one magical location that is automatically perfect for every family or couple.
That's why I want to choose locations based on you, not simply hand you a list of places and say, "Pick one."
I'll give you a list of suggestions based on your wants and desires and I am always open for your ideas as well.
And as I continue exploring more of Tallahassee and North Florida, I'm excited to keep discovering new places that work beautifully for different types of sessions.
You can also check out my guide to some of my favorite Tallahassee parks for photo sessions if you're looking for a few starting points.
So... What's the Perfect Location?
It's the place where:
You feel comfortable.
The light is beautiful.
Your outfits make sense.
Your kids can be themselves.
You can actually enjoy being together.
And most importantly...
It feels like you.
You bring your people. I'll find the light.
You don't need the trendiest location.
You don't need the most dramatic scenery.
You don't need a location that has been saved to Pinterest 14,000 times.
You just need somewhere that gives us good light, room to connect, and a little space for your personalities to come through.
I'll take care of the rest.
