"Where is a good spot for our family photos?"
I get asked this question all the time. And I love it! Because I know all the good spots and I can't wait to share them with you. As a photographer, I don't only photograph families, I photograph landscapes and locations, buildings and beautiful scenery. I'm always looking for new places and exploring, so I'm all over the place. Ask me, I probably know a great spot!
Here is a list of 6 types of places I love and what I see when I find them...
Open Fields + Tall Grass
Never underestimate an empty field. During the middle of the day, it may look like nothing special. But during the last hour before sunset? completely different story. Tall grass catches golden light beautifully, and an open field gives families room to actually move. Kids can run, Parents can walk together. Couples can dance, laugh or simply forget about the camera for a minute. Those are the moments I'm waiting for. For fall sessions, fields give us those warm earth tones and everyone loves without needing a forest full of orange leaves.
Rivers, Creeks + Lakes
Water will probably always be one of my favorite places to photograph. There's a movement everywhere...the water, reflections, wind in the trees, and there's naturally something for people to do. Walk along the riverbank, sit on the rocks, skip the stones, take off your shoes and get in the water. Suddenly we are creating memories instead of simply posing for pictures. Water also gives us completely different looks depending on the season, weather and time of day. A river on a bright summer evening can feel completely different from that exact same spot on a cool fall afternoon.
Wineries + Vineyards
Vineyards have a completely different feel and I love them for it. Rows of vines naturally create beautiful lines and depth in photographs, while wineries often give us architecture, patios, barrels, stonework and countryside all in one location. They're especially beautiful for couples, engagements, anniversaries and families wanting something a little more elevated. And during fall, the colors can be incredible. Just remember that wineries and vineyards are private property, so always check their photography policy and get permission before planning a session.
Parks + Big Old Trees
You don't always need to drive an hour to find a great photo location. Sometimes it's the park you've driven past a hundred times. The trick is learning to look beyond the obvious. I'm usually not looking at the playground or picnic tables. I'm looking at the giant oak tree in the corner. The little trail nobody seems to use. the Patch of tall grass near the edge. The place where sunlight is filtering through the branches. Sometimes one beautiful tree is all you need.
Historic Buildings + Old Downtowns
This is where I could wanter around with my camera for hours. Old stone. Brick Walls. Weathered doors. Historic Storefronts. Staircases. Alleys. Faded signs. I love texture, and older buildings are full of it. Historic areas can make photographs feel timeless, rustic, editorial or romantic depending on how they're photographed. They're also a great alternative when you want something different from the traditional field-and-trees family session. And don't assume you need a famous historic district. Take a walk through your own downtown sometime and really look at the buildings. You may be surprised by what you've been walking past.
Rocks, Mountains + Wide-Open Landscapes
Sometimes I don't want the landscape to simply be the background. I want it to be part of the photograph. State parks like Enchanted Rock are perfect examples. Huge skies, natural rock formations and wide-open views let you pull back and create photographs where the people feel like they're part of something much bigger. These locations are beautiful for families, couples, maternity sessions and seniors... especially anyone who doesn't mind a little adventure to get the shot. And no, you don't always need colorful fall leaves to create a photograph that feel like fall. Warm evening light, earthy wardrobe colors and the natural tones of the landscape can do that beautifully.
Can I tell a story here?
Photography has taught me that beautiful photographs are hiding in some incredibly ordinary places. A patch of weeds becomes beautiful when sunlight comes through it. An old building becomes a backdrop. A rocky riverbank becomes somewhere a family spends an evening laughing together. Once you start looking at places through that lens, you start seeing possibilities everywhere.
Don't choose a location just because everyone else uses it...
your photographs don't have to look like everyone else's. if you're choosing a location for your own session, think about how you want your photographs to feel before deciding where you want them taken. Wild and adventurous... let's choose a state park. Warm and romantic.. let's choose a vineyard or and open field. Relaxed and playful...let's head to the river. Timeless...let's wander around and old downtown. And if there's somewhere that already holds a piece of your story...even better.
Planning a Fall photo session?
If you're in the Texas Hill Country and aren't sure where you'd like to take your photographs, that's okay, you don't have to figure it out alone. Tell me what you love, what feels like you and what you want to remember about this season of your life. We'll create the perfect photoshoot together.
