It can baffle the best of us!  You browse images with beautiful backgrounds, and you don’t know where to start near Murrieta / Temecula / Menifee or anywhere else.  

Don't worry! Here are some tips to help you out.  

I do send a list of curated, beautiful location ideas to my clients, I think most photographers do?  Knowing the best places is a bonus for my clients.

There are some considerations for choosing a great place, here we go!

Is it easily accessible? Seems like an odd question, but if you are in your 7th month, a big hike to a pretty place won’t work! Keeping mom & baby safe are the number one priority.

Siblings? Bringing siblings to your photoshoot will give you photos to enjoy for years to come. Is the location safe for children? Bringing someone to watch your children while you are being photographed is the best way to keep kids safe, and let you relax in front of the camera.

Is it open to the public, but has an owner? Just because a location is open to the public, doesn’t mean you can walk in and set up a professional photo shoot there, sorry. Wineries, Estates, Wedding Venues all fall into this category.

The good news is they are nicely landscaped, but… you’ll need permission for the photoshoot & there may be an access fee. Sometimes you’ll fill out an online form, or it may mean making a phone call. Guiding you to the best options for these are part of your photographer’s knowledge base.

Most photographers offer a location idea list to help you decide, I do! Planning ahead is key because an inquiry is made, it may take a couple of weeks before there’s a response about availability.

Is it a public space? City/County/State parks are good choices to check out! Pretty much unlimited access, and low cost. Look out for playgrounds/homes/parking lots in the background. Not exactly photogenic.

Restrooms? Yes, this totally matters to 3rd trimester moms-to-be! Do they exist? Will they be open or locked during session time? Where can I change into my photoshoot dress? Good things to consider!

Where not to go! Sadly, I’ve seen online lists of where to go for outdoor photography that include places I would never take my clients. Snakes, rodents, poison oak, stumps all come to mind… No thank you!

Hours of operation? This matters as far as timing your photoshoot for the prettiest hours of daylight.

Is it close by? Some locations are, most are not and may require a travel fee. Travel fees are included on the location idea list I send to my clients.

Think about the season! Wineries are barren November-March. Beaches are slammed with tourists April-November. Looking at online photos can be deceiving. Photos could have been posted in a completely different season, or even several years ago. Stopping by a possible location in person is always a great idea!

Overwhelmed with deciding on where to go? Choosing an In-Studio session definitely simplifies things! No access issues, no bugs/dirt, & no rescheduling for bad weather/wildfire smoke/high temps. Flexible hours, dressing rooms, AC & perfect lighting all make this a great option!