Why I love shooting one family in two locations
The planning and preparation that goes into a family photoshoot can be stressful and difficult. It isn’t always easy to get the outfits right. Your family doesn’t always share your enthusiasm for photos. The weather or location may not cooperate, especially when dealing with the ocean tides and swells of Laguna Beach. But the surrounding landscape of Los Angeles offers so much variety in a relatively small area, and when planning a photo shoot, I have a creative approach to locations. I love to find a way to shoot at two different locations for each family. This can look so different for each family, but it almost always provides the opportunity for two things to happen.
1. A great variety of shots, and 2. A built in mood booster for young kids. Let me explain more.
Variety
Sometimes you use your portraits on social media, holiday cards, and even hanging in your home. Shooting in two different backdrops offers a chance to get two looks with minimal effort. Outfit alterations can be as simple as a sweater on top, a swimsuit and can be an elaborate wardrobe and style change. This can also give your photos a wide range and offer multiple uses for you and your family. This approach is common practice on a commercial photography set, offering a new look with a simple wardrobe change or location modification.
Mood Changer
When dealing with young children, I love to create an environment that offers exploration, fun, play, and snuggles. This can look so different to each family. There are times when a kid can show up in a bad mood. Admit it, we have all been there. A second location can offer the chance for kids to to find their place and reset a mood. Sometimes braking up the session into two parts also allows children a second chance at feeling comfortable with me, and getting into the groove!
I love shooting at the beach, but with no shortage of trails in Laguna Beach, we can do both on the same session.. with a small 10 minute drive we are on top of the world, literally, and both looks are so different, and equally lovely!
More two Location ideas are:
Home- Walk to park
Home- Swim in pool
Balboa Island- Ruby’s on the pier
Beach- Bon Fire with marshmallows
Downtown- Hike or Beach
Of course I would never plan a second shoot that took more than 15 mintutes to get to. We love shooting in that golden light, and I never like to waste it on a drive!
