Location!

An up and coming brand model approached me recently. She hoped to arrange a photo shoot for some of the clothing which she was showcasing. Not being from the area, she was open to location ideas. I asked her to send me a few examples of poses and backdrops which she had in mind for the shoot. From there, the location followed.

Naturally, local knowledge helped. On seeing the ideas, I came up with my some thoughts on where we could meet for the shoot. Although this was somewhere I knew, I planned an advance visit to scope out photo spots.On location  

Autumn is a beautiful season to visit anywhere with trees, especially the deciduous ones which are at the stage of colourful leaves. You can see examples of autumn photos I took with the dogs in this post from last year. Back to 2018, and visiting the location offered a perfect opportunity to take our son and dogs for some fresh air and outdoor appreciation.

The dogs surveying the lake  

I had in mind some images I wanted to try, and knew the sort of spots which I was looking for. I spent the time collecting information on which photos could go where, and back up options in case of rain.

The day of the shoot arrived, heralded by bright sunshine and clear skies. Perfect. I met Trish as planned, and we worked for a couple of hours. During this time we tried many poses, three different outfits, and a variety of backgrounds.

Trish was very professional, and also great fun, which made my job much easier. She moved seamlessly from one position to the next, working extremely well with the camera. We both had images which we wanted to try, bouncing ideas between each other as we walked from place to place.

A selection of final images:

I’ve put together a list of some of the things to think about when you’re working on location. Some points apply regardless of what your role is. Photography, writing, teaching … preparation is essential. It makes things easier for you and your client(s), and will ensure a smoother, more professional, and more enjoyable experience.

• Gather ideas in advance – your own and your client’s
• Pinterest is a useful platform for keeping idea boards
• If you also like hard copies, create an ideas folder for instant inspiration
• Learn from others, study their work and try similar techniques
• Use what’s worked before – if somebody has asked for you, they will probably base that on what they’ve already experienced of your work
• Visit the location in advance, if possible, and compile a list of options for the different photos, including catering for different weather situations if you’re outside
• Provide as much information as possible to your client – for example, which car park you’ll be in, what it costs to park, details of the type of environment, whether a change of footwear would be appropriate
• If you can’t visit before the shoot, use online sources to build an idea of the location – maps often have street view settings or birds eye images
• Arrive in good time so you have a chance to set up and test your equipment

Finally, thanks to Trish for a wonderful shoot. Follow Trish on Instagram at xx_trish16_xx.