Choosing a location for your photo shoot is like designing the set for a magazine article about you. You want the environment to contribute to your narrative without being distracting. Lighting, colors, textures, and other artistic elements all have to be taken into account to decide whether they contribute to or distract from the story.

More than anything, the location should be a place that says something about you. It might be a place where you spend a lot of time. Or it could represent your interests or talents. Maybe it’s somewhere that symbolizes your dreams and aspirations. To make your images truly your own, consider the following location examples and the reasons for choosing them.

Abby knew she wanted to have some of her senior photos made at Notre Dame’s Compton Family Ice Arena. It’s a place where she spent countless practice hours–usually very early in the morning. Her experiences told her the sun would stream in through the windows shortly after sunrise and she wanted to capture that energy and nostalgia.

We decided on Moreau Seminary for Jennifer’s maternity shoot because it was a place that meant something special with regard to her pregnancy. Her story deserves a blog post all its own.

Lexi requested her shoot take place in Wellfield Botanic Gardens, a place where she enjoyed spending time. It also holds incredible beauty and countless options for creative portraits.

The violin has played a major role in most of Andrew’s life. He was no stranger to concert halls and clearly felt at home when we shot at the Debartolo Performing Arts Center.

In choosing a place for the Lutz family, it was all about elegance, a quality they exhibit no matter where they are or what they’re doing. This historic hotel with its ornate and classy details was the perfect location for them.

For Kate and Soren, their home was the obviously perfect spot. Not only was it the place where they connected every day, but the style of the shoot was inspired by their own decor. A light and airy feel to the rooms contributed to the soft, caring narrative of their images.

Rich colors were the preferred style for Jackson’s family, which were also evident in their own home decor. This shoot was designed around specific colors and lighting choices.

In Emma’s case we found a historical library that symbolized an exciting time in her life. As many seniors do, she was looking forward to pursuing higher academics. And she herself is the perfect combination of beauty and brains.

Twins Joshua and Abby had different preferences about where to do their senior shoot together. Joshua is more nature-oriented, while Abby wanted an urban feel. So we did a little bit of both–with all of their images made on the same city block.

Maybe you don’t have a specific location in mind, but you know the colors and the feel you want. This is when we look for spots that meet those expectations and also offer light, lines, and textures that suit your style.

And sometimes the best location is a studio–where the options for lighting and design are nearly limitless. For these women, we wanted a minimalist background so that the beauty and closeness of this family could take center stage.

So where should you go for your next photo shoot? Revisit your list from this blog post (specifically, tip #5) and/or your Pinterest board of things that inspire you. Think about the kinds of environments, structures, and decor that make a statement about you and where you are in your life right now. Perhaps you need a blank slate where you can design your own setting, as in a studio. The possibilities are endless, but what about a photo shoot at a record store, laundromat, movie theater, or parking garage? If you’re the girl or boy next door, you can find a white picket fence in a historic neighborhood. If you could place your photo shoot anywhere you want, where would it be?

I’d love to hear your ideas–no matter how crazy you think they might be. Comment below or drop me a line!