Looking for the perfect location for your professional photos? Your photographer will appreciate a unique place with good lighting and easy access.

In a pinch, you can settle for a location that’s merely okay.

But when you see your photos after spending the time and money, you’ll be glad you chose an amazing location.

Here are nine of the best places to take professional pictures.

1. A Place With Meaning

Regardless of its scenic merit, start with places that mean something to you.

Is it a favorite tree? Is it the place where you first met your fiancee Is it the dock at your grandparents’ lakehouse?

When a location helps tells a story or invokes some emotion from the subject, a photographer can create a beautiful series of photos that you’ll cherish.

Even if it’s just a street corner that represents a crossroads in your life, or a park bench where you sit with your dog every day–meaningful places make the best portrait locations.

2. Keep it Natural

Natural lighting is the best source for photos to show true color and beauty.

Outdoor locations for photo shooting with good natural lighting is a photographer’s dream place to hold a photo session.

If we’re going to be picky, a slightly overcast day works better than direct sunlight. Or a spot with just enough shade to block some sun but not create hard shadows works well, too.

Try to time your outdoor photos during what photographers call the “golden hour.” Exact times will vary with the seasons. Use an online tool to help figure out when these hours happen if you’re planning a photo shoot for a later date.

Or, just remember that these “magic hours” happen twice a day:

• In the morning: it’s the first hour of light after the sun rises
• In the evening: it’s the last hour of light before the sun sets

We know weather and time of day doesn’t always cooperate with dates and locations of photo shoots. If being outdoors doesn’t work, there are alternatives.

3. Windows to Your Photo’s Soul

If rain or temperatures aren’t ideal for an outdoor photo session, find an indoor location with big windows to let in the natural light. The natural light should be ample to help create your photo moments.

Cafes often have large front windows. You’ll also find unique locations in a downtown warehouse, converted lofts, or even the lobbies of local businesses.

Most cities have photo studios set up for these kinds of photo sessions. Google “natural light studio” for your area and find a perfect location to rent for your photo session.

Any time you shoot indoors, be sure you have permission to shoot at your indoor location. Nothing ruins a photo session like getting kicked out of the location before you’re finished.

4. Not Too Busy

Photographers appreciate a clean background when shooting portraits and photography composition. If a background is too busy, it distracts from the subject of the photo.

Keep your background in mind when selecting your location. A clean space with little distraction is ideal for headshots and portraits.

Josh Phillips Photography is a great example of using clean space with little background noise for great photos. Subtle backgrounds focus your attention on the star of the photo.

5. Lead With Lines

You’ve seen plenty of family photos or engagement photos on railroad tracks or along fences.

There’s a reason these are some of the best places to take portraits.

These types of locations cover a couple of keys to good photography. It’s outdoors, which we know is the best for lighting.

And lines that lead your eye to your subject create depth and dimension. Your photographer accomplishes this by placing you on railroad tracks or along a fence.

Safety first. Be sure there are no trains coming as you pose for your photos!

6. Texturize It

Staying with a minimalist background can include an interesting texture.

Think of a favorite fence, a unique brick wall, or a background with a simple pattern. For good photo composition, it’s crucial that a background texture is uniform, one-color, and doesn’t distract.

This is a great way to use an old barn wall or a stone wall to add a splash of color or depth to your portrait.

7. A Quiet Place

Photos don’t capture sound, of course. But your photo location works best with fewer noisy distractions.

A quiet place helps your photographer think and give direction.

And when you’re in a secluded or out-of-the-way spot, you won’t have to deal with people or traffic getting in the way and ruining a perfect shot.

8. Easy Access

Depending on your location, your photographer will need to bring in equipment.

Even in good lighting situations, sometimes additional lights help create a desired mood for the photo session.

Different lenses, batteries, stools, ladders, and other equipment is often needed to get the perfect shot.

Your photographer will appreciate you and your location better if they don’t have to walk long distances, cover tough terrain, or hang in any dangerous positions to capture your essence.

9. A Curiosity

There are times when a good prop, an oddity, or a mismatched location makes a good photo session.

Get creative. With the right photographer, you can make any location work for memorable photos.

Have your senior pictures done at (or in) your school locker. Do your professional headshots at your favorite coffee shop. Shoot your engagement photos in a creepy, exotic location.

Don’t let the prop or location distract. But have some fun expressing who you are.

Don’t Stress About Places to Take Professional Pictures

Choosing a good location for your photo session is important. But don’t stress about places to take professional photos.

Trust your photographer to guide you in your location options. And a great photographer will produce amazing photos no matter the location and lighting.

Whether it’s a family photo session or your wedding day, choose your photographer well. Communicate your vision and style before the photography session.

Then have fun capturing memories!