Q: Where do you want your pictures taken?
A: This depends on what type of shoot it is, and what kind of look you want for your pictures. Do you want that candid, stop-and-smell-the-roses, playful look? Then you might want to choose somewhere outside, like Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Want more of a vintage look? Downtown Gainesville or Alachua would be perfect. Or maybe you want to capture your family at your own home. It’s up to you!
If you are still not sure where you would like to shoot, check out this list of locations I’ve either shot at already or am dying to shoot at, and see if anything catches your eye.
- Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
- Devil’s Millhopper
- Payne’s Prairie State Preserve
- Downtown Alachua (railroad tracks, stone courtyard, vintage storefronts)
- Downtown Gainesville (courtyard behind the Hippodrome, cobblestone streets, vintage storefronts)
- Fields (any field! think hay bales, tall grass, or just open rolling greenness)
- Lake Alice/Baughman Center
- UF campus (lots of choices here!)
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Morningside Nature Center
- Thomas Center (grounds)
- Bivens Arm Nature Park
Q: What should you wear/bring to your shoot?
Clothes
Something colorful! I suggest staying away from white, as it can wash out faces. The more color, the more your photos will have that extra POP! For couples and families, I suggest choosing outfits that “go” rather than “match.” Choose complimentary colors and/or patterns to avoid that matchy-matchy look.
Also, you can bring up to three outfits to your shoot. With different outfits you can achieve a completely different look in one photoshoot.
Props
Props are a fun addition to any type of photoshoot. For example, using a rocking chair during an outdoor maternity shoot can give the shots a homey touch. But props can be anything…balloons, umbrellas, children’s toys, vintage furniture, etc. If you want some help coming up with ideas for your shoot, just ask me!
Q: How many locations can fit into one shoot?
For a 2 hour shoot, we can go to two locations that are relatively close together. For example, Lake Alice and the Swamp, or the Thomas Center and the Hippodrome.
