The right location can turn plain photos into awe-inspiring shots. However, it’s not always possible to travel to an exotic or glamorous location to achieve this. If you’ve recently hired a photographer to photograph your family (or newborn or baby), you’re probably wondering where the session should take place.

There’s really no need to overthink a location. You more than likely already have everything you need to take perfect portrait photos in front of an eye-catching backdrop. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Step Outside. If you have a garden or live near a park, place yourself in front of some greenery. Naturally, an outdoor setting isn’t the right fit for all portrait sessions, but bushes and foliage make for a great backdrop. Since orange is the base of most skin tones, placing yourself in front of something green will make you stand out.
2. Create Leading Lines. If you want your photos to have an edge and keep the focus on you, use corners to your advantage. Whether this is the corners of a tall building or the inner corners of walls in your home, standing in front of these corners will create leading lines that emphasize your face and stance.
3. Find Backgrounds with Solid Colors. A solid-colored wall is a simple yet very effective backdrop. Take a stroll around your neighborhood to look for a wall that would look good in photos. Perhaps a friend or family member has a colorful and striking home that you could use for your session? White walls aren’t all that exciting, but you also don’t want to stand in front of a neon wall either. You should always be the focus in the photo. If you really want to try something different, you could use a wall with interesting patterns and textures.
4. Bring in the Skyline. Any location that will bring the skyline into your photos is also a good choice, including rooftops and hilltops. If your photographer shoots from a low angle with a wide lens, you can add some interest to your images without bringing in too many distractions.

If all else fails, speak to your photographer about location and backdrop ideas that will work with the style you had in mind. Every client of mQn Photography receives a location guide which helps guide you to finding the perfect location for you and your family.