What I Look for in a Family Photography Location

By Joanna Goodman

I’m always looking for ways to eliminate decision fatigue for my mamas. One way I do this is by having a hand-picked list of quality locations. My mamas simply choose the type of location they want, and leave the details to me. If they have a special-to-them location, that’s ok, too! 

Whether I’m out scouting new locations or revisiting tried-and-true favorites, there are a few things I look for.

Light

You guessed it. Besides your genuine family connections, the biggest thing to achieve pro images is light. There are all different kinds of light, and I’m on the lookout for ways to use them. I consider what time of day I’ll be shooting, and when and where I’ll be at each chosen portrait spot within a location. When I’m guiding a family, where will the sun be compared to my planned spaces to shoot? Since I shoot mostly at sunset, I’ll often start in a shaded area with some filtered or flat light while the sun is higher, and move to a space that can feature backlight and sidelight as the sun sinks. I typically save front light for the lowest part of dusk, just after the sun dips. 

Variety

It’s the spice of life, so they say, and I like to give my families several background options while we’re going through my shot list and capturing in-the-moment spontaneity. I look for pleasing and interesting backdrops for your family connections. This is one reason I continue to scout locations I’ve been shooting at for years. You never know when a tree will fall at just the right spot to be your family’s bench, or if a pile a branches has collected to create an interesting contrast to your family laughter. 

I also look for a variety of overall locations. Whether you enjoy the urban streets, pine forests, or open fields, there’s something for every family. 

Walkability 

While I often have “off road” options for families that are comfortable stepping away from the beaten path, I also want to make sure my locations are always going to deliver a stunning gallery even when we choose easy walking and shorter distances. Based on specific family needs, I plan to walk more or less (sometimes toddlers love to run a bit, sometimes we need a shorter loop for short attention spans!), but I always want it to be family paced. If your pace syncs with off road, we can make adventure happen without getting too deep in the weeds! 

Relaxed

I intentionally look for locations that have less distractions. This especially helps younger children to have fun engaging with their families. So we skip parks with playgrounds and crowds in most cases. Mom and Dad feel just as refreshed to enjoy open spaces. When kids need to run, or discover an amazing bug, that’s never a problem. These are great opportunities to photograph Mom and Dad together, and I find kids are easily rallied back from an adventurous jaunt when needed. 

Ready to enjoy the fun of choosing a location that’s right for your family?