How to choose a location for your family photo session | Seattle Family Photographer
How to choose a location for your family photos.
We have an embarrassment of riches here in Seattle when it comes to places for photography. Some things to keep in mind as you are choosing where you’d like to be photographed.
Do you have a spot that is special to your family? A park or a beach where you spend a lot of time? Somewhere that has special meaning for your family? Your own home feel most comfortable for you? Your photographs will mean even more to you if you incorporate a spot that is important to you.
What time of year will you be taking photographs? This is important because different locations look different during different seasons. Do you like the golden light of su
Your family style or culture. Love the forest? Beach combers? Tall grass ?
Special considerations. Do you have a family member with mobility issues? Do you have small kids that like to run? There are loads of spots that are very accessible to choose from. Also, if you have smaller children, sticking with a spot where there is no traffic and lots of free space to run is a great idea.
Consider the decor in your home. Look at the colors you love and the design sensibility of your home. If you are going to print images for your walls, it is fun to have them fit into your existing design. For example, if green is your least favorite color, choosing a forest setting for your images might not fit your style.
BEACH LOCATIONS
Some beaches in Seattle can be perfect for sunset light, others for sunrise. Beaches have gorgeous refections off of the water adding a lot of sparkle to your images. Sand a pebbles adds lots of visual texture and a big variety of colors to your images. Kids splashing around in the water, and playing in the sand makes for lots of dynamic fun images. I love locations where there is stuff to do, and beaches offer a lot of opportunities for relaxed family fun.
FOREST LOCATIONS
We have so many beautiful spots in the PNW that are full of lush green foliage. We also have a lot of cloudy days here. Those clouds make the rich varied colors and textures pop! This type of location is classic PNW.
GOLDEN GRASSES
I love the look of the sunlight coming through tall golden grasses. Grasses add a lot of dynamic movement and texture to your images. Little kids running through grass is fun for kids and makes beautiful images.
URBAN SETTINGS
Some families love the look of a more urban spot. City scenes can be so really edgy and modern looking with lots of interesting shapes and movement and spectral highlights. City locations are not ideal for families with young kids due to the fact that there is a lot of action, traffic and people. It is harder to keep little ones wrangled in this situation.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Seattle has several parks in the area with some interesting features. Gasworks park in Seattle is a family favorite because of its rolling green hills, interesting old gas works machinery and cement arches. Kubota Gardens has beautiful Japanese styled gates and bridges. You can hop on a ferry and take pictures on the ferry to get a truly PNW feel to your images.
Seattle and the surrounding areas offer so much variety and choice when it comes to locations for your family photos and portraits. I have lots of spots where I photograph often and am happy to discuss what you have in mind for photos. I also am open to new locations. Once you book a session with me, we will discuss what you have in mind for your images and figure out together what will work best for your family.