Selecting an engagement session location

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One of the questions I get asked most frequently by prospective clients is if I select engagement session locations, or if they are chosen by clients themselves. While it varies by photographer, both myself and many of my peers employ a mix of the two.

With my personal clients, I usually ask them to select a starting location that has significance to them or that is intriguing to them in some way. In Chicago, many clients like to go to the beach, for instance, as the lake is an important and enjoyable part of life in Chicago, and it is also possible to get a beautiful shot of our lovely skyline from such a vantage point. Other popular locations include places where clients have had a first date, the neighborhood by their home, or a special park or environment that people find inspiring.

For instance, Sam and Ben decided to take a few photos at the ice cream parlor where they had their first date.

People naturally tend to be a bit attracted to traditionally attractive areas of towns, but many photographers, including myself, find inspiration in some of the “uglier” areas of the city. Industrial corridors, alleyways, or abandoned lots can all provide great visual interest in photographs and also can juxtapose so nicely with “pretty people.” As such, even if we’re shooting in a flowery, scenic area, I’ll tend to pull clients into a little alley, side street or parking garage to take photos with a more urban feel and a different textural or colour interest. Selecting a “starting point,” but asking your photographer to explore on his or her own from there can be a wonderful way to get a photo with location significance while also receiving unexpected and artistic photographs that speak to your photographer’s vision, as well as your love.

Nature lovers MaryBeth and Bobby decided to take photographs in Lincoln Park, a green space here in Chicago, but I also ended up taking some more “urban” photos a few blocks away.

And David and Aarthi asked to go to the beach on a wintry day, but I also recommended stopping at a great industrial nook en route.

If you’re at a loss for ideas or more flexible, leaving the location up to your photographer can be a great experience. Most photographers have a short list of locations that photograph well that might suit your session, and i you’ve had a phone or in-person consultation with your photographer (always recommended), he or she can most likely hand-pick a location that will complement your personal style.

For Angie and Phil’s session, I was given free reign and ended up selecting our local “meatpacking district,” an area with so many colours and textures that really suited Angie’s taste and desired style.

Overall, select somewhere you’ll be comfortable that feels “like you,” and with a photographer whose style you enjoy, fabulous photos should result regardless of your starting location!