The best portraits begin long before a camera is ever lifted.
Long before a senior steps in front of my lens, long before outfit changes, golden light, and genuine smiles, I’m usually out exploring. Walking trails. Climbing hillsides. Watching how the light moves through a field. Looking around corners. Testing backgrounds. Taking notes.
And most of the time, I have a little companion with me.
Meet Midge.
mIdge joins me on the trails, helps me find locations, and never misses a golden-hour adventure
Midge is a bright pink Jellycat and my unofficial location scout. If you’re wondering, yes, I really am a Jellycat fan. I’ve collected them for years, and somewhere along the way Midge became a part of my scouting process, and a fun way to visualize the possibilities hidden within a location.
While Midge may be small, she tells a big story.
Great Locations Aren’t Always Obvious
One of the biggest misconceptions about portrait photography is that beautiful images happen because someone found a beautiful location.
In reality, great portraits rarely happen because of a location alone.
They happen because of observation.
A hillside isn’t just a hillside.
A patch of reeds might become a dreamy portrait backdrop.
A weathered green wall might become an editorial-inspired setting.
A rustic dock, a hidden trail, a small field, or an overlooked alley can become something completely different when the light, composition, and subject all come together.
That’s what I’m looking for when I scout.
Not just a location.
Possibilities.
THE GOAL ISN’T TO FIND ONLY BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS. IT’S TO SEE THE POTENTIAL IN ORDINARY ONES.
Why I Spend So Much Time Scouting
When families hire me for senior portraits, they often see the final images but not the hours that happen beforehand.
I visit locations at different times of day.
I watch how the sun moves through the landscape.
I look for backgrounds that photograph beautifully.
I pay attention to how clothing colors will work in the environment.
I test angles, compositions, and lighting conditions.
I ask myself questions like:
- Will this work for a senior who loves nature?
- Would Bolinas Ridge or a more remote location be better for my client’s personality?
- Is there variety nearby?
- What happens if we move just ten feet in a different direction?
Sometimes the best image is hidden just a few steps away from where most people would stop.
THE RIGHT LIGHT CAN TRANSFORM AN rustic LOCATION like china camp INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.
When the Work is Done, You Can Relax and Enjoy the Experience
The goal of all this preparation isn’t simply to find pretty places.
It’s to create an experience where my clients can show up knowing everything has already been thoughtfully planned.
You don’t need to know where the best light will be.
You don’t need to worry about which direction to face.
You don’t need to wonder whether a location will photograph well.
I’ve already done that work.
Beautiful locations matter, but what matters most is knowing that every detail has been considered before your session begins.
WHEN THE DETAILS ARE THOUGHT THROUGH IN ADVANCE, YOU CAN FOCUS ON ENJOYING THE MOMENT.
Finding a Location That Feels Like You
Every senior is different.
Some are adventurous and outdoorsy.
Some are artistic and creative.
Some love open spaces and golden hills.
Others are drawn to urban textures, architecture, and editorial-inspired environments.
That’s why I don’t believe in one “perfect” location.
I believe in finding a location that feels like you.
Because the strongest portraits don’t just show what you look like.
They tell a story about who you are.
And sometimes that story begins with a tiny pink Jellycat sitting quietly in a field while I search for the next beautiful possibility.
— Leah
Want to see how that preparation translates into a real senior session?
