HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHERE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR NEXT LOCAL OUTDOOR PORTRAIT SESSION,BUT YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE COMING UP WITH IDEAS?!

You don't have to travel to exotic locales or find scenic vistas to get beautiful photos. If that's what you have planned and that's what you're looking for, then by all means go for it! Personally, I love Hawaii and would travel there just to take photos if I had the opportunity! The scenery is just breathtaking. But, I know that I can also get amazing photos close to home here in Windermere, Florida! As your professional portrait photographer, I will make sure that we get the most out of any location. So, if you're looking for a free location close to home where we can get stunning photos, look no further than these underrated location types for your next portrait session! Here we go!

1. YOUR LOCAL PARK

If you live in an incorporated area or a municipality, you probably have one or more public parks at your disposal. The first thing that's great about public parks is that they are free! Well, kinda. I mean, we all pay taxes which help maintain these parks, but the awesome part is that we can access city parks as much as we want without having to pay a fee! Also, did you know that most if not all public parks don't require any photography permit or additional professional photography fee?! If you're trying to save some money by not having to book your session at a private venue, public parks and green spaces might be perfect for you. The next best thing about parks is that they're usually in our backyard (not literally, but that's a sneak peek at another great location on my list!), meaning that they're usually close by and accessible to most. There's probably a park right in your neighborhood that you can walk to or a short drive away! This is perfect for any of my clients who have a busy schedule and don't have time to drive tens of miles just to get to their outdoor portrait session! Finally, city parks are usually well-maintained and are beautiful! The only thing to keep in mind is that because they are public places, parks can get pretty busy, especially the smaller the park is and on the weekends. That said, with a little bit of location scouting and some patience, we can usually find a great spot within a public park that is out of the way and where other people won't show up in the background of your photos!

2. YOUR LOCAL DOWNTOWN OR TOWN SQUARE

Second on my list of underrated locations is a local downtown area or town square. Whether you live in a big city or a smaller city or town, chances are there is always a downtown area or town square which forms the heart of your city. Again, just like public parks, these areas are public and can offer a great backdrop for your next portrait session! The neat thing about shooting in an urban setting is that you can get creative with lighting and composition using buildings to your advantage! A big city with tall sky scrapers will provide a more sophisticated, edgy, and urban look, while a small town square will provide a warmer and down to earth look. They're both amazing vibes to have in your portraits depending on what you're looking for!

3. YOUR OWN BACKYARD (LITERALLY!)

if you're like most people, I'm sure you've never thought of having a photoshoot in your own backyard! Let me tell you, it's a great option if you don't want to leave the comfort of your home! This is great for families with young children as it will allow them to be in a safe and familiar space where they can be their true authentic selves for the camera! Also, the photos can have an especially sentimental value to them because they are shot at your home, a place that is usually dear to most everyone's heart. One caveat though: make sure that your backyard is free from distractions and is in a good enough condition to be photographed. You may also need to use a backdrop to cover up any fencing or to block out undesirable objects such as air conditioning units, etc. If you have a large backyard with trees, this would be an ideal spot to take your portraits! Next time you're struggling to come up with a location for your next session with your San Marcos portrait photographer, look no further than your own backyard! Obviously, this would only be suitable if you are comfortable with your photographer coming to your home. There's no pressure though, if you don't feel comfortable with it, there are plenty of other free locations!