As photographers we are always (ALWAYS!) looking for fun places to shoot... places that will inspire us... places that are unique and all our own... places that when people see the images they say, "Where did you take these?!?" Well, look no further! I'm here to give you a few tips on location hunting and finding those prime spots that will be all yours!
1. Always be on the prowl. When you're out and about, watch what you're driving past. You just may find a hidden jewel you've seen a million times.
2. Don't look for the Taj Mahal. Some of the best places I have ever discovered have been dinky places on the side of the road.
3. Don't be afraid to ask! If something is private property give it a try! It's amazing what people will do for a warm plate of chocolate chip cookies!
4. Look to the Internet. Often times you can find really amazing places on flickr, Instagram, or even Facebook.
5. Ask fellow photographers to go location hunting with you. Raise your hand if finding an awesome new place makes you pee your pants just a touch. (Trust me, everyone's hands are high in the air). Your photog friend may see a vision that you would have otherwise missed!
6. Watch the light. Light can be sneaky! Always moving around on us! Sometimes an otherwise boring location turns into a magical photographer's oasis at certain times of day. There are places I won't shoot at in the evening (you know, during that blessed golden hour?!) because they just don't work with the light the same as they do in the morning.
7. Don't be afraid to move things around. Break a sweat and drag that tree trunk across a field to where the light is yummy!
Here are some images of a shoot I did a while ago. My photographer friend and I found this location on the side of a busy road... there was even a bright blue dumpster there!
