I have to admit that coming up with photo shoot locations is something I struggle with the most. Why? Because I always wait until the last minute to decide on a location. Last week was a perfect example. Outfits were all ready, but Dom asked the simple question that he always asks, “Where do you want to shoot?” Guess what my response was. It was most certainly, “I don’t know.” So on the blog today, I wanted to give 3 tips on finding a photoshoot location before your shoot day.

Shop My Look

If you watched my planning content/it’s going to be May reel where I gave a glimpse into how I plan for my shoots then you saw that I’m well organized now with how I choose my outfits and plan my content. Thank you, clothing rack and glass erase board! Both have been game changers in my planning strategy. However, choosing the best location for a shoot day is where I need some improvement. So my first tip will be an obvious one:

PLAN AHEAD – sounds so simple right? But somehow I always leave this out of my process. Well no more. When I usually come up with outfit ideas I keep a list of the outfits in my phone notes. My goal now will be when I create that list to also think about a location that would go well with what I’m trying to accomplish for the looks and write it beside the outfits for my scheduled shoot day. To decide on a location, I’ll be thinking about what I want you all to see when you look at my outfits on my Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook feeds.
FIND INSPIRATION – if I’m still stuck on choosing a location. I always find it best to browse on Instagram and do a search of the city/state you live in to see where other people are shooting at near you. I also use Pinterest to browse and get inspired by another shoot and then try to see if there’s a place similar where I can recreate. When all else fails, always go with a spot that you’re used to shooting at and has never failed you. I would do this all the time, but I get bored easily and like to switch it up from time to time.
DO YOUR RESEARCH – once you find a location, then you have to just do a little research to ensure that no event or anything crazy is going on in the area. One time, I chose a location to shoot at and didn’t do my research and found that a holiday event was taking place. It made my shoot day pretty hectic so I learned my lesson there. Blogged about that day, here.

Luckily with this shoot, Dom came through and found this gem of a location. Now I can add it to my list of usual places to shoot, if I ever get stuck on choosing a location. I hope these tips are helpful for you too! If you have any tips you want to share, please let me know in the comments.