The location where to shoot your family session depends on great length on what type of shoot you will be doing. The one thing they all have in common is that they should mean something to you, a memory, a feeling, history. If it’s a day in the life, of course we are probably shooting lots at home, fav restaurant, CVS, groceries, soccer field or whatever activity there is in the calendar. All those places are meaningful, because they are part of your everyday life.
When it comes to a one hour, or three hour shoot chances are the place will be either home, a park, the city, etc. If you go with the park, or the city make sure it’s not a random park you have never experienced. Even if you think that one park looks “prettier” than the one you normally go, the one you normally go will have way more power in the future. You will remember those trees, the paths, your children playing…. or streets and side walks if we are shooting in the city.
Believe me when I tell you prettier has no value comparing to real, honest, true memories.
Living and photographing in Miami I shoot a lot at the beach, because people assume that’s what you are suppose to do. And yes, you should have memories at the beach because we spend a lot of time there (we are actually lucky to have such an amazing backyard) but it’s not the only place we go. In this picture you can see a really bright setting. An ice cream place that literally screams ICE CREAM in your face. You might thing it’s too loud, too saturated, too colorful or even distracting. Which are all valid points. But what about thinking of this kid in his 20’s when this place might no longer exists, when flashbacks of him walking into his favorite ice cream place and sit in the sprinkle couch comes to his mind. Let’s go even further, what about him showing his own kid his fav place when he was his age.
I am not saying pretty places shouldn’t be photograph, we can switch every year and try new adventures. But have this images in mind. Who we are, what we like, where do we usually go? those are real question that might help you pick your next photo location and create true memories for the future.
xx
Chantal
The right location for Family pictures. Miami children photographer. Real life photographer, real moments, real memories.
