If you are the type of blogger that prefers a scenic outdoor look rather than a typical studio look, the effort in choosing the right location can be quite challenging. As somebody who likes to shoot on location as much as possible, I’m always on the lookout for interesting places and textures that can be used in my shoots. Downtown, Winter Park, and Orlando in general, are full of great options with a number of neighborhoods that all offer something different. As a fashion blogger, finding unique photo locations that make your outfits pop is a must!
Finding new locations for an upcoming photo shoot can definitely be intimidating and tricky for bloggers. This is why it’s important to learn about the art of location scouting so you can fine tune the skill of discovering new and intriguing scenes. This skill can take your photography to a whole new level. If you’re constantly on the look for new places, you’ll be ahead of the game and build up a catalogue of locations that can be used for future shoots. It can seem like a lot of work at first, but it will always result in finding that perfect backdrop for your photos, which makes it all worth it. These tips below will come in handy when it’s time to smile for the camera. Keep reading to learn some ways you can find photo locations for your blog photos.
1. Go Explore Your Neighborhood
This might be the most obvious tip to finding photo locations, but it really is one of the best ways to discover somewhere unique! Take time to explore parks, restaurants, and plazas because these types of places can make for awesome posts.
Use your surroundings! Take the road less travelled and explore uncharted territory on foot. Try to find at least 3 locations in new neighborhoods to make your exploration worthwhile. The best part about that is you can do this at anytime of the day or night. For example, say you're on the way home from work, take a different route to find somewhere new. “Getting lost” in your city is how you’ll stumble across location gold. The next time you’re out somewhere and driving around, pull over and just walk. You might be surprised by what you find.
2. Track Your Location(s)
If you have the luxury of driving around to scout locations, always keep your phone handy to take photos so you can pull over to snap a photo of a location that inspires you. If you’re the type of person who likes to create visual mood boards, you can add your snapshot to the board. Make sure to note the cross streets in your phone, screenshot the location on a map, or try to drop a pin. In case you forget which route you took, your pin drop is the best way to get back to that location.
Bonus: If you have time, take a moment to examine the location and note what sort of looks you can pair with the backdrop. This way, when you do decide to come back, the aesthetic of the outfits is complimentarily to the location.
3. Use Hashtags to Your Advantage
Social media can be extremely resourceful when location scouting. Every day I’m inspired by things and people I see on the streets or outfits I come across on social media, which comes in handy when I am putting together a look. Take time to search hashtags on Instagram and look through each individual photo to see if the area is worth investigating. This is a newer method I've been using, but it works really well! I'll use neighborhood hashtags, park hashtags, and anything related to what I'm looking for. If I find a photo that is geotagged, I will use Google maps to double check the location.
If you see a gorgeous shot and it’s posted by someone local who’s showcasing it on their Instagram, don’t be afraid to ask them where it is (if they haven’t already shared that information in the caption or location field). This method can be really time consuming, but it's so worth it to find great photo locations for your blog posts! You never know what you might find on Instagram!
4. Find a Location That Speaks to You
I like to play with colors and textures and really have fun with my background. I like for my readers to see my personality reflected in my posts, and a bright background really helps with that. I don’t consider myself to be the standard blogger, and a location is one of the things I use to make my posts pop and stand out. I like to find different backdrops and interesting textures when I do my research.
Find a location that just speaks to you. Be on the lookout for great textures and colors, such as decaying walls, brightly colored graffiti, or other elements that could make a strong background. Have a visual goal in mind to make scouting that much easier. You are telling a story through your blog and in order for that particular message to come across clearly, you need the perfect location.
The variations are endless and each location provides potential for a different story. When you share your story, what do you want to tell? Take that into consideration because the choice of your location can determine the success of your photo shoot. The backdrop of your photo really sets the scene, creates a mood, and most importantly makes your outfit that much more amazing.
PRO TIP: As you scout for new locations, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want to establish a certain mood with the location?
- Do you want a strong graphic element so you can interact with your environment?
- What makes this location really stand out?
- How does this location help tell your story?
- What kind of outfits or accessories does this location allow you to showcase?
Feature great places that allow you to pose to create a dynamic image. With some time and a bit of research you can easily find what you’re looking for in a location.