5 EASY STEPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR YOUR SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA SENIOR PHOTOS
When it comes to locations here in the San Francisco Bay Area for your senior portraits the options are endless. How to narrow it down to one or two can feel daunting and overwhelming. We are fortunate to have a variety of landscapes here and the last thing you want to do when you invest in a session, is to choose a venue you don’t totally love. When your heirloom portraits and album are displayed in your home you want to have a location that you love. There are a variety of factors that go into choosing the perfect location for your senior portrait session. This blog post will help you choose your ideal setting for this memorable and full service experience.
AMADOR VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL PLEASANTON, CA SENIOR PICTURES
Decide what setting you really love and fits your personal aesthetic. Is there a city, a park, or a site that holds special meaning to you? We can incorporate that into your session. Some of my seniors have cherished memories of family trips to a specific beach town. Because this setting had sentimental meaning my senior and her family opted for this beach location for her senior pictures. Another senior cherished his four years of high school because of the friendships and memories he had made. Therefore we opted to start his session there before heading off to a second location on a friend’s property that was equally special to him. When it came time for my daughter’s senior portraits we chose the redwoods along the northern California coast because our family had a multitude of fond memories camping and the mighty redwoods hold a cherished place in her heart. To get an idea of what a what a session in the redwoods looks like click HERE. Take the time to think not only about what you love, but also what locations in the Bay Area and beyond that hold special meaning to you. We can work together to incorporate these into your photos that are a true representation of you.
FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL PLEASANTON, CA SENIOR PICTURES
You are not limited to just one location. While my beach-loving client wanted photos of her playing in the waves and walking along the sand, she also wanted to venture into town and get some shots there as well. This gave her a variety of images to choose from when we met for her session reveal. When locations are relatively close together we can very easily shoot at more than one so you have a variety of looks and settings. You are not limited to one spot and I can research what other options are nearby to help you achieve this variety of aesthetics for your photos. Click HERE to see what a session with two different locations looks like
MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL DANVILLE, CA SENIOR PHOTOS
Be aware of required permits or legalities of a location. More and more locations are requiring photographers to have permits for portrait sessions. Often this is not an issue but it does tack on additional fee for the client. These fees can range from $50 to over $300 so it is something to be aware of. In addition to that, some the park districts have older permit systems that have not caught up with the current times and are not user friendly when it comes to navigating them or securing a permit. These systems require the photographer to fill out an application, send the application in along with a check via snail mail, and wait for the permit to mailed back. Other parks simply take days to get through to someone when trying to order a permit. For these types of locations a last minute permit is not easy or feasible so these details are important to research when we are deciding on your session location.
CAL HIGH SAN RAMON, CA SENIOR PICTURES
Other locations have legalities to deal with. For example, train tracks are illegal to shoot on because they are dangerous and trespassing is illegal. I do have one spot that is no longer active and has been made into a foot trail if you photos with train tracks is a must-have for your senior photos. I always tell my seniors: the world is your oyster when it comes your portraits as long as it is safe and legal lol!
LAS LOMAS HIGH SCHOOL WALNUT CREEK, CA SENIOR PHOTOS
Are you open to driving? We have a lot more options if you are open to hitting the road and driving a little ways (or even farther if you are open to travel). We are fortunate to having so many scenic options within an hour or two of driving. When we venture out of the greater Bay Area we have access to the Sierra foothills, beaches, quaint coastal communities like Carmel by the Sea, historical towns that celebrate our western heritage, verdant landscapes, and lakes. I have a plethora of maps and books in addition to my super power for ferreting out some uncommon and fun travel gems. If a little adventuring is just what you want for your California senior portraits then let’s work together to brainstorm some unique ideas.
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, CA SENIOR PHOTOS
Collaborate with your photographer (hopefully that’s me 😍). Let them know what you love so they can work with you to find the right location that fits your vision. For my clients, after you book your session you will receive a link to a private folder of galleries with various locations. Every gallery has a list of its pros and cons and I try to have examples from every season so my clients can get a feel of what it will look like for their session. I give these to you so you can find some settings to help get those wheels of inspiration churning on the type of location you prefer. Then when we have our style consult we can go over all your thoughts, what you did and didn’t love, and find that location you feel works best with your vision. This is why your style consult if so important and the benefit of working with a concierge-based, full service studio. It gives us the opportunity and time to invest in collaboration, go over the location galleries, and discuss your vision so you have exactly what you want. If you don’t find what that perfect photo location in my galleries I will work with you during your consult to find a location you love based on your feedback. Regardless of whether or not your senior portrait photographer is me, I encourage all of you to communicate with your photographer because it ensures you have the photos you want and in addition to building your relationship and comfort level with one another.
LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL, CA SENIOR PHOTOS
Click HERE for tips on finding the right senior photographer for your senior portraits (although I know a good one ). Even if you don't choose us here at Pixel Pages Photography, I sincerely want you have an amazing senior portrait experience. This is a special moment for you and I am so excited for all the adventures that are headed your way this coming year and throughout college. Cheers to you and your senior year!
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA SENIOR PHOTOS
Looking for a senior photographer in Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County, or the San Francisco Bay Area? I would love the opportunity to get to know you and work with you to capture this once in a lifetime moment for your child! My clients come from all over the Northern California and the Bay Area - Pleasanton, Fremont, Danville, Dublin, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, San Ramon, Livermore, Lafayette, and Menlo Park. Book a consult with the button below so we can get to know one another and start planning your senior's bespoke portrait experience.
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