Location Guide
I’ve curated a list of locations based on lighting, style, and how they photograph. Whether you’re looking for a natural or urban backdrop, we can find the one that best fits your vision. Once you’re booked, I can guide you through choosing the perfect location and outfits.
All of these photos are examples of what the location could look like and do not include all of the backdrops at each location. Actual conditions depend on time of day, season, and weather.
flatwoods park trail
Tall grass & wooded paved paths. Good in all seasons, best at sunset.
lower cascades
Waterfall, bridge, rocky textures, open grass. Great for all sessions and various times.
Cedar Bluffs
River, rocks, light filtering through trees - usually peaceful. Good at various times.
brown county state park
Rolling hills, open grassy areas, wooded and water. Good at various times.
The cutouts
Tall grass, cliffs, lake monroe, rocky shoreline. Very open and best at golden hour.
lake monroe
Water, rocky shoreline, rolling hills in the background. Soft + natural, best in evening.
bryan park
Open grass, trees, and natural variety. Classic park setting, good at various times.
switchyard park
Mix of urban and green space with a playground. Great for families, best in the evening.
indiana university
Limestone buildings and Dunn Meadow. Clean, timeless, elegant look, good at various times.
downtown bloomington
Colorful walls, courthouse, and shops. Fun and vibrant, good at various times.
griffy lake
Trees, lake, rocky shoreline and stone walkway. Great in summer and fall, best in evening.
Outfit guide
Trust me, I know how hard it can be to find the perfect outfit for photos - let me help you! Your outfits should play into your personality and vision for the session. Here are a few guidelines to make sure your clothes complement your photos.
Do:
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wear clothes that are comfortable and that you feel confident in. You don't want to worry about a shirt that's too tight or a strap that won't stay up while you're getting your photo taken.
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color coordinate with your people! If you're taking family photos or an engagement shoot, I encourage you to coordinate the colors so they blend nicely together. This doesn't mean everyone wears the same color - you can and should mix and match colors. Maybe pastels, neutrals, and black/white, for example.
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wear colors that go with the season (not an exhaustive list, just suggestions):
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Always a good option: neutrals (black, white, grays, browns). You can also wear small patterns, like flowers or large stripes.
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Spring: pastels, light blues, yellows, and pinks
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Summer: Light oranges, yellows, light or dark greens, sky blue, and champagne
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Fall: dark greens, maroon, reds, dark yellows, and gold
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Winter: warm reds, jewel tones, white, and deep blue
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Avoid:
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bright colors, large patterns, logos, or anything that might stand out in your photos (unless it's intentional for the type of session you're doing).
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wearing colors that blend into the background (example: the same color green as the grass or leaves for a natural backdrop).
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having more than one (or two people in a group) wear different patterns. They can sometimes clash if they aren't similar.
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sweatshirts or overly bulky clothing.
Ladies:
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definitely wear something that makes you feel like YOU, but some fun options for photos would be a dress or skirt (great for movement poses), a fancy top and jeans, or a tighter shirt and flowy pants.
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something that you can move in so your photos look natural - again, try to wear comfortable clothing!
Guys:
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definitely wear something that will make you feel confident, but some options could be jeans and a solid colored short-sleeve shirt, or neutral-colored pants and a sweater.
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if you want a fancier touch to your photos, you can wear a button-down shirt or even a suit!
Accessories
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I am happy to incorporate any accessories or additional items you want to include in your session - whether that be an animal, your car, or an item that is meaningful to you. Just let me know what you have in mind during our consultation!
don't worry, i won't leave you hanging.
You don't have to stress about which location to choose or what you need to wear. During your consultation, we can talk about your ideas, and I can answer any questions you might have. If you'd like your photos taken at multiple locations, check out my packages that include that option!