From unassuming to hidden gem!

I've noticed that location scouting can be so difficult. It feels like photographers are always trying to find these epic places for their clients and I totally get that! It's so fun working with not just the family but an incredible background to make the image pop for the client. Problem is, finding those location can be tricky. They may be far from you, gated with permits and high fees to protect the land, or over crowded and difficult to capture photos without a million people in the background. In this session I did, I wanted to showcase how an unassuming location, like an empty paring lot, can turn into a hidden gem.

What I look for

When I found this lot, it was your average parking lot. The pavement was a little torn up and nothing planted to add extra foliage. It was no botanical garden. But 2 things caught my eye.

1. It was on a hill so the elevation was a little different than the surrounding area.
2. The lighting was great!

With those two things in mind I wanted to put it to the test.

Execution

By blurring the background I made the moment about my couple and their cute dog. I took away extra distractions and you don't notice the flaws of the location. I also relied on the beautiful lighting to give my photos that romantic look. I tried to mix it up by placing my couple in the lot and also just off the side in the grass. By taking a few steps from the lot, it feels like a whole new location! I loved how this unassuming location turned into a hidden gem! There are so many locations like this, you just have to focus on the light and get a little creative.