Location, Location, Location!

This phrase does not just apply to real estate.  The location that is decided between you and I make the shoot what it is.  The location is the background that frames out your images, sets the color pallet for your clothing choices, and can provide the options for interaction between family members.  The location for me is also driven by the season and lighting. 

The daffodil fields blooms o-so briefly and varies from year to year as to when the blooms are at their fullest, but with the acre+ field and the split rail fence dividing out the area creates an opportunity for many different poses, evening light offers a beautiful sunset in the image as well, where as morning light tends to be in peoples faces.

Summer provides a location that other times of the year would be nearly inaccessible such as lake fronts and beaches.  I have found a beautiful lake front that offers clean groomed beaches and clean lake backdrops if the pictures can be taken earlier in the morning.  The light almost skips across the water adding a gorgeous halo or ring light affect to the heads of my clients.  We are most fortunate to have several community spaces that offer blooming summer flowers and topiaries that make visually interesting backgrounds that keep your eyes roving around an images framing out the child or family in the picture.

Ah the beauty of a sun kissed sun flower field, you cannot help but smile. The pops of yellow and tallness of the flowers allows for a unique shoot. The sunsets behind the flowers this allows for dramatic images.  

I absolutely love shooting at several of the conservation sites in McHenry County, but the summer is particularly rough for mosquitoes and minimal color though the fall offers phenomenal colors, with sweeping views of the rolling hills.  With these sites the setting sun offers a light show like no other season can provide.

As the fall progresses into the first snows the Christmas Tree Farm I work with has quaint rows of trees that make for the most perfect pockets for a family to gather in.  Fun shots can be taken as families huddle together in a hug, or read books from benches.  These pictures work perfect in the afternoon sun as shade is plentiful.  The brighter light of the afternoon offers a nice contrast to the darker greens of the pines, firs, and spruces. 

The square makes for a diverse and plentiful option where large aged brick walls, doorways with vintage colors, metal stairways large and small, as well as cobblestone streets.  Morning and evening shoots are possible with streets running in all compass headings, shade and non direct light can be found, though the time of day may limit which of this is possible.