STUDIO VS. OUTDOOR - THE BATTLE OF LOCATION
The age-old question I get asked quite often - is it better to have my session in a professional studio or outdoors at a cool location?
Sometimes there is a clear cut answer - because you’ve got a vision in your head of a grassy meadow with your hair blowing in the wind - or perhaps you know for certain you want a plain color backdrop, or certain props included that would be much better suited for a studio space.
But sometimes it’s tough to know your vision - you just know you want to get some awesome photos taken and you aren’t sure where to start. So here’s the tea…I’ve collected a list of details about each option that will help you make the best decision and get the best out of your photoshoot.
THE STUDIO:
A studio is the best option if your photoshoot will take place during months when Colorado is known to have severe weather. We will always check the weather for an outdoor location beforehand and reschedule if necessary - but a studio ensures a temperature-controlled environment that is not dependent on weather or light conditions.
A studio is best when you want privacy - we will have the studio to ourselves for the time of the shoot, and no unwanted visitors will wander into our photo session. Boudoir photos are a great example of situations that warrant a little privacy (although I’m no stranger to using flash at night outdoors for a little spice)
When your vision includes really fancy colored lighting or lighting effects - studio is the way we can guarantee that outcome because there are plenty of power outlets and we aren’t competing with natural light in order to get the effects we want.
When your schedule doesn’t allow for great lighting outdoors - perhaps you can only book a session at night - a studio is the best way to ensure I can accommodate a later request past sundown
A studio does add to the cost of a session (the cost will vary by studio for the hour) - but it does give a photographer and client a lot of freedom when it comes to time, weather, light and privacy. And if you need those things, it’s well worth the add-on cost.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
There’s not much that beats the beauty of natural sunlight and open space - and in Colorado, there’s plenty of that around. From direct sun to golden hour to blue hour, the sun provides lots of various light situations that make portraits beautiful. If that’s your bag, outdoor locations are for you.
You want to use natural landscape as a backdrop - perhaps a location that means something to you and a partner, or a spot your family travels to often - places have sentimental value that can’t be replaced.
It’s FREE (mostly) to use an outdoor location - so it won’t add to the cost of your session. Some locations require a permit for professional photography, however, I can always provide a list of locations that we can use without a permit.
Locations don’t have to be “landscape-y” - and what I mean by that is…places like a basketball or tennis court, a parking garage, downtown sidewalks, an outdoor swimming pool, etc are all places we can scout together for your photoshoot, and they don’t always need to be grandiose tourist destinations. We can get the creative juices flowing and find someplace really edgy, cool, or unexpected.
Some clients feel very shy or self-conscious - and while my job is to bring out a confidence that can be seen on camera - it’s tough to find privacy in public spaces. Keep this in mind if you know you don’t want people looking at you while you’re being photographed and posed. Especially if you choose a tourist attraction, there will almost always be people walking by, and some like to stop and watch the session - usually because they find it fun or interesting, but nevertheless, it can be deterring for some.
AN ALTERNATIVE:
One exception to this studio vs. outdoor dilemma is choosing an at-home session. If you’re wanting photos of your family or engagement photos in the comfort of your home, doing what you do naturally, like chillin’ on the sofa, making each other cocktails, cooking dinner together, playing with the kids or pets, etc - it’s definitely something to consider, and lighting can still be natural through windows, or be manufactured with equipment. So ya know, it’s definitely another option!
