When you’re planning out your session time and date, deciding on the location can be tricky. However, picking a good location is essential for excellent photos. There are two main things to consider about your session when it comes time to pick the location: the age of your children, and the season of the year. If the age of your child or the season of the year isn’t compatible with the location you want, then one of the three is going to have to change.
I’ll break down the best (and worst) location types below. Of the four types, at least one is bound to work for you!
In-Home Sessions
Understandably, many parents don’t want to travel immediately after having a baby. This makes our in-home newborn session option a popular choice. In addition, many parents would like to have photos taken of their nursery. However, the lighting in many homes is simply not adequate for professional photos, and a studio session may be a better choice. If you would prefer an in-home session, but are unsure if the lighting in your home would work, mention this when inquiring and we can tell you exactly what to look for.
The primary advantage to working in my studio is that it allows me to shoot in a controlled environment, with the perfect lighting and room temperature that are so important to the success of a newborn session. It also guarantees that you will have your pick of the full selection of hats, wraps, and backdrops.
In-Studio Sessions
In-studio sessions are ideal for newborns and for babies who are sitting up but not yet mobile. The studio provides reliable, predictable lighting as well as an excellent backdrop for simple and natural images. Since I’m accustomed to my studio and its lighting, the session is more likely to go smoothly, quickly, and without major hiccups.
However, once your child becomes mobile, the studio becomes a less attractive option, since it doesn’t offer enough space for your child to roam around and play without running into any expensive equipment. As well, because of the studio’s limited space, I won’t be able to comfortably fit a large or extended family into the photos.
Outdoor Sessions
Once your child becomes mobile, going outdoors is absolutely the best option. With space to run around, the photos will be more natural and less stressful. Outdoors is also a good option if you would like large family photos, no matter what age your children or other family members are.
I provide all of my clients with an extensive list of my favorite locations throughout Connecticut. Rather than hold our photo session in your back yard, I encourage you to choose from one of these locations, because I have worked at each of them on several occasions. This means that I’m familiar with the lighting and the crowd patterns, and I know all of the little nooks and hidden spots that will make an amazing backdrop for your images.
Keep in mind, however, that outdoor sessions only work when it’s relatively warm outside. Early spring through late fall (April-early November) provide good weather for outdoor sessions.
Beach Sessions
Beach sessions follow the same rules as outdoor sessions, with a few added twists. Beach sessions can be a bit tricky because we’re hoping to avoid the crowds while catching the good light. That means that beach sessions are only held on weekday evenings, when the crowds are fewer and the light is softer. At the height of summer (July and August) beach sessions start as late as 7 PM, which may be past bedtime for some little ones. If you have younger children, or children that have early bed times, consider scheduling your beach session for earlier or later in the season (June or September) when the sun sets earlier in the evening. However, if you’d like only candid photos of your family playing in the sand or the water, another time may be possible. If you would like any posed photos at all, though, weekday evenings are really the only viable option.
Consider these things when picking a location for your photo session, and you’ll find an option that results in beautiful photos with as little stress as possible!
Leave a Reply