How to Choose a Location for Your Photography Shoot

You hear about it in real estate all the time: location, location, location. But it matters in photography too! And it’s a relatively new idea. Just a few decades ago, people would go to Sears or some other photography studio in the mall. The photographer would pull down a series of backgrounds for you to choose from, and you and your family would sit in front of it and pose for several photos. 

Yep. Seriously. 

Go into any home with people over the age of 50, and you’re likely to find these photos hanging on the walls in places of honor. And look, they were beautiful photos. 

But we’re capable of so much more now!

Why Location Matters

Why does it matter? Why shouldn’t you just stop in at Sears for a photo shoot in your Sunday best? 

Because the location of your photo shoot reflects parts of your personality, as an individual or as a family. The location can become a background character in your story. 

It’s more than just what you wear, how you pose, and how you gaze longingly into each other’s eyes. Though those elements matter too! 

It’s where you are and why. 

These are the things you’ll remember. 

I’ve taken photos of people in their kitchens and yards, walking by the creek that runs behind their house, in their gardens, and at many locations around the Rogue Valley. 

And in each one I can tell you without a doubt that the location meant something to the people I was capturing.

So years from now, when you’ve got those photos hanging on your wall, you’ll remember the feeling of being in that place at that time with those people. 

How do you choose a location? 

Locations that Mean Something to You

I always like to start with a location that means something to you. If you’re a mom and you spend most of your time in the kitchen, around a table doing schoolwork with kids, in your office, or in your garden, I’d like to capture you there. 

Some of my favorite photos are lifestyle photos, candid shots of you living the life you normally live. 

You’ll look back on these photos not as a day you took pictures with a photographer but as memories of those specific times in those specific places. 

You’ll be able to more clearly recall those fights over homework, the seasons when your garden came in beautifully, and the cookies you made with your kids. 

Likewise, if you’re a hiker, a bicyclist, a hairstylist, a writer, or any other profession or hobby that means something to you, you might want me to shoot you on location where you do your best work or live your best life. 

I’ll catch you on the trail, in your garage working on your bike, in the cafe with your laptop open, or in your salon. 

The point is, choosing a location that means something to you should be your first option. 

But, if you don’t have a spot like that, we’ve still got tons to work with. 

Locations with Great Light

I’m sure you’ve probably already heard that lighting is critical to great photography. And the more natural light I can catch, the better.

I’ve got a list of locations that get great light, and a list of places with terrible lighting I know to avoid. 

A big factor in choosing a place with great lighting is also the time of day. 

Here in the Rogue Valley, we’re surrounded by some pretty stunning mountains that can either block the sun or let it in, and which mountains at which time of day matters. 

For example, if we’re out near Mount McLoughlin or Roxy Ann Peak, the morning sun will come up later. However, if we’re out near Grants Pass with the mountains in the west, the sun will appear to go down earlier. 

So, if we’re hoping to catch the bright, early sunlight here in the valley, we’re better off waiting until later in the day. And if we want to capture you in the soft hues of pink and purple that can fill the sky at sunset, we want to plan around not just the sunset, but the season and the time of day. 

Locations for the Seasons

Speaking of seasons, they play a huge factor in your location decision. Do you want winter photos? Spring? Summer? Or fall? 

The valley changes its face significantly four times a year, unlike many other spots on the west coast and particularly in the pacific northwest. 

If you want a great winter location, consider Mt. Ashland or up near Prospect, where the snow gets heavy and the atmosphere screams wonderland. 

If you’re hoping for a summer spot, choose one of your secret swimming holes, where your family can splash and play. 
You get the idea. 

Also, I have a lovely studio perfect for photo sessions during the winter or other inclement weather. And we can often find simple indoor locations around the valley to use as well. 

Locations with Great Views

And of course, from Ashland to Grants Pass and up to Prospect, we’ve got some beautiful views in this valley, so you can always choose from among one of those. 

If you have a favorite that is personal to you, that should be your spot. 

If you are just looking for some ideas, I’ve got endless lists of possibilities we can discuss for lighting, the seasons, and your specific needs. 

Contact Me for Your On Location Shoot Today

If you’re ready to book your on location shoot, fill out my contact form and let’s get started. 

Of course, I’ve got some parameters we’ll need to stick to. I operate out of a pretty central location to the valley, so I can travel pretty much anywhere here within 30 miles, but anywhere super far out on dusty dirt roads that lead to nowhere or farther than 30 miles away from my office will need to be discussed further. 

Indeed, I have traveled all over Oregon, some of my favorite spots to shoot are along the Oregon coast; do note this type of travel comes with an extra fee.  

Fortunately, we live in such a beautiful location, we are sure to find the right spot for you. 

And hey, maybe it’s your own backyard!

Contact me today. 

Forget a Boudoir Session. Book an Embodiment Photo Shoot.

It’s the month of love, and while I’m a big fan of shooting couples in love, I have in recent years become a huge proponent of embodiment sessions for the purposes of self love. So many people have a misconception about boudoir sessions, thinking they’re lurid or lascivious in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. But because of these preconceived notions, I like to call them embodiment sessions as, really, they are the ultimate act of self love. They are perfect for any woman looking to build her self-confidence, and maybe share her most intimate side with someone she’s given her heart to.

What Is a Boudoir / Embodiment Photo Shoot? 

A boudoir photo shoot is a session that involves a woman getting super comfortable in her own skin. The word “boudoir” is French. It represents a woman’s private dressing room. The idea behind these photo shoots is that the photographer is capturing the woman relaxing in a state of undress or the act of getting dressed. 

While we call this “boudoir,” it isn’t only about dressing or undressing. It is really an intimate session of self love, of embodying your most beloved self —  a session where we give you the space to be you in whatever capacity you feel confident and comfortable. You can wear what feels good to you, what speaks to you and liberates your most authentic self. You are encouraged to fully love and celebrate yourself as a whole. The session can be in the comfort of your home, my home based studio, or even outdoors, if that calls to you.  The idea is to liberate the beautiful wild woman. I will help you plan our location and outfits after hearing your vision for the shoot.  

Frequently, the women in my shoots will wear lingerie or a negligee. I use angles that amplify the beauty of my subject’s curves, her softness, her femininity. 

A boudoir studio is a safe space where women can allow themselves to be vulnerable and exposed. Not only is there no judgment coming from the photographer, but the best photographers will help the woman in an embodiment shoot feel empowered, uplifted, and celebrated in all her liberated glory. 

And while a woman should feel sexy at all times and especially during one of these photo shoots, the real goal is intimacy. You, the woman, are essentially taking yourself on a date. You are revealing the most hidden parts of yourself —- your vulnerability, your trust, and yes, your skin. 

Indeed, while many clients plan and schedule these sessions as a gift for their significant others, they often come back after the experience to tell me what a therapeutic act of self love it was.

So, really, an embodiment shoot can be a gift to yourself, to your significant other, it can be an anniversary gift, you can even book a session during your pregnancy! Those are some of my favorites.

I recommend women book several boudoir shoots over their lifetime to celebrate your growth. Aging is a beautiful gift, and it comes with wisdom and an appreciation of our naturally changing bodies. 

When the shoot is done, I do natural editing and deliver a wonderful selection of color and classic black and whites for you to cherish. 

You can also opt for an embodiment album. I create photo books for clients from

your favorite list in your private online gallery. 

Who Should Do a Boudoir / Embodiment Photo Shoot? 

Everyone!

Ever since I first started doing embodiment shoots years ago, I have been an advocate for women getting to know themselves on an even deeper level through this type of photography. 

Every woman should do a boudoir shoot. 

It’s not just about getting naked, or next to naked, in front of the photographer and the camera. Yes, some of it is about that. 

But it’s really about getting next to naked with yourself, on a deeper level than just clothes. It’s about pushing yourself to see yourself as beautiful while I take pictures of you. It’s about seeing yourself as someone genuinely worthy of being photographed in all of your sensuality. It’s a process.

Pose, smile, adjust, feel amazing, relax, close your eyes and take in all that is you.  

Be nervous, overcome the nervousness, let loose, smile, have fun, and pose again. 

It’s a whole process akin to therapy that is an amazing experience for any woman ready to step outside of her comfort zone. 

Then, when you see your photos, you undergo yet another transformation of falling even more deeply in love with yourself. 

You’ll see your pictures and feel something you may have never felt before. 

“My God. I’m beautiful.” You’ll think to yourself. And you’ll be so glad you took the time to love yourself. 

Why Does Self Love Matter? 

Why does self love matter, anyway? 

Who cares if you love yourself as long as you love your husband, your children, your extended family members, your friends. 

You’re such a loving person. 

Do you have to love yourself? 

Yes. Yes, you do. 

Motherhood is the quickest pathway to martyrdom perhaps on earth. 

Everyone needs you. Everyone counts on you. Everyone calls out for you. 

And of course, of course, it is a joy. It is a privilege. We chose this life.

We chose the marriage and the kids. 

But we never chose to disappear. 

And we do no one any good when we disappear into the lives of our loved ones. 

The silent woman in the background of everyone else’s lives —- cooking, cleaning, planning, budgeting, doing laundry, smiling, waving, taking pictures. 

But never being in the picture. 

Never being in the picture. 

There is so much evidence in the world today that husbands, children, family members, and friends all benefit from your love so much more when you love yourself. 

Confidence is everything, and self love is the ultimate act of confidence. 

You shine brighter, you smile bigger, you stand straighter, and you speak more clearly.

And everyone notices. 

When you love yourself, you are more capable of loving everyone else around you that much more deeply because it comes from a vessel that is running over, not one that is in constant need of replenishment. 

So, if you’re feeling depleted, drained, exhausted by life, womanhood, motherhood, it might be time to hit the reset button. It might be time for a supreme act of self love. 

Take yourself to a movie, to dinner, to a coffee shop with a good book. 

And get yourself into the picture. 

Get Into the Picture 

If you feel a response within as you read through this piece, I want to hear from you. 

Let’s book your boudoir session today. 

Until you do, I hope you will get into the picture more. 

Are you taking pics of your kids and husband all day long? Your animals? Your meals? 

Are you in any of these pictures? 

Do you ask your husband to snap shots of you? Of you and the kids? 

This is a habit you must get into. 

Years from now, maybe decades, you will look at these photos and you will wish you were in them. 

So, here is your reminder to get into the picture with your kids, with your husband, by yourself. 

All by yourself in all of your vulnerability and beauty. 

Because vulnerability, after all, is beauty. 

There will never be a perfect time, so don’t wait for it. Your time is now.

Book your session today. 

The Difference Between a Mini Session and a Full Photography Session

If you’ve been hearing your friends and family talk about their photo sessions, or if you happen to follow any photographers (like me!), you’ve likely been urged to “book a mini session today!” This may have left you wondering what a mini-session is and why you should book one. So, let’s talk about it.  

Do You Need a Photo Session?  

First, do you even need a photo session? After all, you just had photos taken last year. How often are you supposed to do these things?!  

Well, as a photographer who loves what she does so much I find myself having to forcibly put down my camera and just be present with my friends and family, of course I’m going to tell you that you can never have too many photo shoots.  

But the truth is that you do want to take family photos at least once a year when your kids are little.  

You’ve heard that expression, “The days are long, but the years are short?” It gets to the heart of this concept. Or, as the wise Ferris Bueller once told his audience, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  

That’s the point of doing photo sessions with your favorite photographer.  

It helps you stop time for just a second and document your family life. Sure, I know you have 10,000 photos of your kids on your phone, and maybe even a few selfies and pics with your spouse, and I love that for you. God knows I have at least that many.  

But getting dressed and ready for a photographer to capture your moments and tell a story with the camera is a different experience entirely --- one you won’t forget, because it will be documented.  

Further, I’m a huge proponent of getting moms into the picture (more on that later), and even if you take selfies, there’s nothing like having someone else, especially another mother, take your picture with your kids and your husband.  

So, you’re sold on getting your pictures taken. Now, which shoot is right for you?  

What’s a Full-Length Session?  

A full-length photography session is the traditional kind of shoot most people are familiar with. We pick a location, either at your house or another local spot that means something to you and your family, and you get dressed for the occasion.  

Once we’re all gathered, I’ll take the time to prepare you and your family for what’s to come, calming down frantic kids and easing nervous dads into the process (yes, dads can get super nervous).  

For the next hour and a half, I’ll take a mixture of staged photographs and candids. I’ll mix and match your family members --- kids with dad, kids with mom, the whole family together, just the couple, etc. --- and we typically move around a bit to get different angles and lighting.  

The goal of these sessions is to “freeze” this season of your life and tell the story of who you all are, separately and together, so you can look back on it in the years and decades to come.  

I recommend doing these full-length sessions at least every five years, and maybe a bit more frequently when the kids are little.  

What’s a Mini Session?  

“But wait Olivia, you said once a year!” 

You caught that, did you?  

Yep. That’s where the mini-sessions come in.  

Look, not everyone can afford a full-length session once a year, and not everyone wants to go through the whole process that often.  

But a mini session can get you in and out and your family in print in just 30 minutes.  

These sessions can also be on location, but it’s usually a location of my choice, so I can book back-to-back sessions, save myself some time and energy, and keep the process simplified for you.  

During these sessions, you come prepared to shoot, and I’ll take mostly traditional-style photos that are staged by me, and I’ll mix a few candid shots in as we change poses.  

They’re quick and easy, and the goal is a lifestyle update. I, like most photographers, offer them seasonally as well as throughout the year.  

You can usually get in, get out, and get about 10 prints for under $100.  

I recommend booking a mini session at least once a year, around your full-length shoots.  

A Happy Medium 

I also offer a happy medium, somewhere between full-length and mini-sessions.  

These shoots take about 45 minutes and are a kind of upgraded version of the mini shoots. You’ll still either come to my studio or a prearranged location, I’ll often have various equipment to catch the best angles and lighting, and you’ll arrive ready to shoot.  

In the 45 minutes that follow, I’ll get posed photos and candid shots of you and your family. It’s a great way to document where your family is right now without committing to a full-length session.  

What’s Right for You?  

It depends. Like with most things in life, you’ll choose the photo shoot that makes the most sense for where you are in life right now.  

If you just had a full-length session done, you might want to book a mini. If it’s been a few years, but you’re not ready for the full feature, book a 45-minute session,  

And if your family photo shoot is long overdue, it might be time to buckle down and get a nice, long lifestyle session done, complete with family pets and grandma alongside you all. 

Truly, the best way to know which photography session is right for you is to talk to your favorite photographer. She’ll have a discovery session with you, discuss your needs, and get you in the books based on where your family is today.  

Ready to talk? Fill out my contact form and let’s get started.