One of the questions I get from families planning their photo sessions is, "Where should we take our pictures?"
And I love this question! Because while Southern Oregon has no shortage of beautiful places to photograph families, choosing the right location is about so much more than finding a pretty backdrop.
This sweet family chose to have their photos taken right on their own property along the Applegate River. Isn't it beautiful?
But here's what I especially love about this location: it's meaningful to them, it's a place where their family feels comfortable, and it gives their children room to explore and enjoy themselves. This is a location where their family can truly be themselves, sit back, relax, and even dream a little bit about what the future might hold.
That's what I want for every family I photograph.
Whether we're exploring a favorite park, enjoying the scenery along the river, or simply spending time together in your own backyard, the right location can make a huge difference in how your family experiences your session.
If you're planning family photos in Grants Pass, Medford, or anywhere in Southern Oregon, here are a few things I'd encourage you to consider when choosing your location.
1. Consider Your Children's Comfort First
If you have little ones, this is probably the most important thing to think about!
Some children are ready to explore as soon as they arrive. Others need a little time and space to warm up. Some love having room to run and play, while others feel most comfortable somewhere familiar.
Think about what your children need to feel at ease.
- Do you have toddlers who would be tempted to run straight into the river if we chose a riverside location?
- Would your children love having room to explore, or would a playground within eyesight be one distraction too many?
- Do you have a shy child who might feel more comfortable having photos taken at home?
- Is there a particular environment where your children naturally relax, play, and interact?
Safety matters, too. A beautiful location with steep drop-offs, busy roads, or water access might not be the best choice for a family with young children who need a little more freedom to explore.
I want your children to have room to be themselves without you spending the entire session worrying about where they're going or what they're getting into!
Sometimes the best location isn't the one with the most impressive scenery. It's the one where everyone can relax and enjoy being together (like this family session at Grandma and Grandpa's back pasture, animals included).
2. Choose Somewhere Meaningful to Your Family
Some of my favorite locations aren't necessarily the ones everyone would think of first. They're the places that mean something to the families I'm photographing.
Maybe it's the property where your children are growing up. Maybe there's a favorite park where you spend Saturday mornings, a trail you love exploring together, or a special spot along the river where your family has made wonderful memories.
These places can change depending on the season of life you're in.
For a family with toddlers, their own backyard might be the perfect place. For a family with older children, it might be somewhere they enjoy hiking or exploring together. If you have a child who is especially shy, choosing a familiar environment can make all the difference.
I love locations where families can interact naturally, both with their surroundings and with each other. When children have something interesting to explore or a place where they feel comfortable, their personalities often come out in the most wonderful ways.
And years from now, those photographs may remind you not only of what your family looked like, but also of the places you loved and the memories you made there.
3. Think About the Season and the Look You Want
Southern Oregon is beautiful in every season, but different locations offer different things throughout the year.
Are you dreaming of colorful autumn leaves? A local park with beautiful trees might be just what you're looking for.
Want a more natural, outdoorsy feel? Mountain views, evergreen trees, open fields, and riverside locations can be beautiful choices, especially during the cooler months.
Spring and summer bring their own possibilities, from wildflowers and lush greenery to sunny afternoons along the river.
It's also worth thinking about the overall feeling you want your photographs to have. Do you love open spaces and mountain views? A more intimate setting surrounded by trees? Something playful and relaxed near the water?
There isn't one right answer! The best location is the one that fits your family's personality and the kind of photographs you want to look back on.
4. Don't Forget the Practical Details!
This is one that families don't always think about when they start looking at locations, but it can make a HUGE difference in how smoothly your session goes.
A location might look absolutely perfect in photographs, but let's consider what it will actually be like to get there and enjoy your time together.
How far will we need to walk?
Some beautiful locations require a bit of a hike or a walk over uneven ground. That might be perfectly fine for a family with older children, but it can be a challenge if you have toddlers, babies, grandparents, or anyone who has difficulty walking long distances.
If you have little ones, think about whether they'll be able to walk comfortably or whether you'll need to carry them. And remember, we'll have camera equipment and possibly a few things to bring along, too!
Are there bathrooms nearby?
This might not be the first thing you think about when planning beautiful family photos, but if you've ever taken a toddler on an outing, you know how important it can be! Having access to bathrooms can be especially helpful for families with young children or longer sessions.
How close is the location to home?
For busy families, this can be a bigger consideration than you might expect.
If you're juggling work, school, activities, naps, and everything else that fills up family life, driving an hour each way for photographs might not be the most practical choice.
Sometimes choosing a beautiful location just a few minutes from home makes the entire experience easier. Less travel means less time getting everyone ready, less time in the car, and more time enjoying your session.
And seriously, you can make beautiful Family Photos just about anywhere. I love watching for amazing locations and pockets of light and color as I drive through town. Some of the most beautiful family photographs can happen in places you pass every day.
What about travel expenses?
Of course, we'd all love to have family photographs at the beach or among the beautiful Redwoods! And those can be incredible locations.
However, depending on the destination, additional travel time and expenses may need to be factored into your session. If you have your heart set on a particular location farther away, we can absolutely talk about it and figure out what makes sense.
The goal is to find a location that gives you the look and experience you want while also working well for your family and your schedule.
5. You Don't Have to Figure It Out on Your Own!
If you're reading through all of these considerations and thinking, "That's a lot to think about!" don't worry. You don't have to make all these decisions by yourself.
I offer an optional phone consultation to every family because I genuinely enjoy helping families plan a session that works for them.
We can talk through your ideas, what you're hoping for in your photographs, your children's personalities, and any practical considerations. Maybe you already have a location in mind. Maybe you have no idea where to start! Either way, we can explore the options together and find something that fits.
Sometimes I'll suggest a location you haven't considered. Other times, a family will tell me about a favorite place they've been wanting to use, and we'll figure out how to make it work.
Every family is different, and I don't believe every family should have to fit into the same session or location.
The Best Location Is the One That Works for YOUR Family. If you are curious about what to expect during a Family Photo Session, check out this post.
There are so many beautiful places for family photography in Grants Pass, Medford, and throughout Southern Oregon. But the perfect location isn't necessarily the most popular park, the most dramatic landscape, or the place with the prettiest scenery.
It's the place where your family can feel comfortable, connect with each other, and enjoy being together.
Whether that's a favorite outdoor location, a meaningful family property, a beautiful spot along the Applegate, Rogue, or Illinois Rivers, or somewhere completely different, I'd love to help you find it.
And remember, you don't have to wait until your children are older, more cooperative, or better at following directions (find out more about that here!). We can work with who they are right now, in this season of life.
Because I don't just want to photograph what your family looks like. I want to preserve what this season feels like.
Looking for a family photographer in Grants Pass, Medford, or Southern Oregon? I'd love to help you plan a relaxed, personalized family photography session that fits your family. Get in touch and let's start planning!
