How to Choose the Right Location for Your Senior Portraits
One of the first questions I hear from seniors and parents is, “Where should we take the photos?”
And the honest answer is: the best location isn’t about trends — it’s about you.
The right location should support your personality, your style, and the story you want your senior portraits to tell. Here’s how to narrow it down without overthinking it.
Start With Personality, Not Popularity
It’s easy to get caught up in what you’ve seen on Instagram or Pinterest, but a location works best when it feels natural to you.
Ask yourself:
Are you more laid-back or bold?
Do you love nature or feel more at home in the city?
Do you want your images to feel soft and timeless or modern and editorial?
Someone who thrives in quiet, natural spaces will photograph very differently than someone who loves urban energy — and that’s a good thing.
Think About the Overall Vibe You Want
Locations create mood just as much as outfits do.
Gardens, fields, and wooded paths feel soft, romantic, and timeless
Downtown areas, alleys, and architecture feel modern, bold, and editorial
Studios feel clean, controlled, and design-forward
There’s no “better” option — just what fits your vision best.
Consider Variety (You Don’t Have to Pick Just One)
Many senior sessions work best when we combine locations.
For example:
An urban area paired with a nearby field
A garden followed by a studio session
Downtown portraits finished with sunset light
This gives you a gallery with range while still feeling cohesive. I very frequently split sessions over multiple days to get the most out of your portraits!
Don’t Forget Practical Factors
Some locations look great online but don’t always translate well in real life.
Things to consider:
How crowded a location gets
Parking and walking distance
Whether outfit changes are easy
Time of day and available light
Seasons change how green grass and trees look even from spring to summer. Nobody likes dead winter foliage!
A beautiful location only works if we can use it comfortably and creatively within the vision you have
Trust Your Photographer’s Experience
Part of my job is knowing how locations photograph, not just how they look in person. I pay attention to light direction, seasonal changes, and how spaces feel on camera — not just what’s trendy.
If you’re torn between a few options, that’s completely normal. We’ll talk through what fits your style, your session goals, and your comfort level so the location supports the experience instead of complicating it.
The Bottom Line
The best senior portrait locations:
Reflect who you are
Match the mood you want
Complement your outfits and styling
Allow space to relax and be yourself
When those things line up, the photos feel effortless — and that’s when the magic happens.
