Always look for beautiful light first! Think of the type of lighting you like to shoot in and look for areas that will complete your vision. For backlighting, are there structures that will block enough light to achieve the amount of haze in the image? Is the background of your subject placed to where the sun will be pleasing? I like to find little pockets of light to light up my subject. Had this been a real session and not a walk through of my location, I would have come out a bit earlier and used a bit more light in the images. The lightened area surrounded by shadow would be where I would place my subject. Also notice the use of lines in the image to lead to the “subject”.

Not only does a beautiful space enhance your images, looking for additional structures (either manmade or nature made) can add interest to your images. I look for lines….whether it be leading lines or curves that can break the frame up and add interest or frame my subject. Walk your space frontward and backward looking for opportunities.

Anything in nature that repeats itself is pleasing to the eye. Same goes for photography. Repetition works as well as leading lines to draw your subject into the frame. Here, the stones repeat forming a path. Steps downhill repeat and form pleasing lines and curves. Placing the subject in the correct area of the image will add more impact and result in a stronger overall image. I can’t wait to get a spontaneous picture of the kids running through here :)

For portraits, I enjoy shooting into a darker background than my subject. This makes my subject pop, so I look for areas that will help me achieve that vision. It will also make for a stunning black and white image. In this image, because my subject is dark, I chose too look for a brighter background to frame his body.

Bokeh is beautiful to me, so I looked for an area where I would find a bit bokeh in the background. This tree, that isn’t exactly beautiful up close, has a pretty bokeh pattern that I like. A light subject would look great with this background.

Look for color! Dark colors or light colors. Colors that will make for beautiful bokeh. Colors that compliment your subject. Or think of colors as a way to convey a feeling. Think of all of the ways color impact us and use that knowledge when scouting a location. Knowing ahead of time what color your subject will be wearing is a good idea. Look for colors in the environment that will enhance your images. Green in this area would probably be a bad idea. But skin tones agains a green background are great!

I love finding areas that will frame my subject. It is a quick and easy way to add another of layer to your image. Think of a way to cut your frame in half or surround your subject external environmental factors.

We have and abundance of trees here in the South which are always great for framing. I would place the subject in the negative space of this image and perhaps get a bit closer to said subject.