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How do Photographers Find Locations? How do I Find Photoshoot Location Ideas Near Me?

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Why Photography Location Scouting Matters

Successful photographers don’t just stumble upon great shots; they plan for them. Finding photoshoot spots that offer unique lighting, textures, and compositions helps elevate your work.

Whether scouting for the best sunrise viewpoints, dramatic weather conditions, or secluded nature spots, thorough preparation ensures you’re in the right place at the right time.

What you don’t want is to be always capturing images of over-photographed places. Now if you’re looking for that iconic view or photograph that you’ve seen online, then by all means go for it.

I tend to have more of those images in my portfolio if I’ve never visited that specific area before. Here are some examples of “touristy” or what I call “basic” images that I captured when we were in Monument Valley in November; the iconic shots of the Mittens at sunset, nighttime, etc.

Not what I would call original or creative, but they truly capture what you think of when you think “Monument Valley” and that was my goal here.

What are Good Places to Take Pictures Near Me?

When planning I seem to use the same resources over and over again. I suggest starting your planning in advance of when your travelling or planning on shooting. I’ve honed my planning process over time, relying on tried-and-true resources to avoid last-minute rushes. 

Photoshoot Locations Ideas Near Me Quick List

How do photographers find locations? Here is a list of some of the resources I use that can help you discover new outdoor photoshoot locations near you.

5 Top Tips (and 1 Bonus Tip!) to Find Locations

Instagram

First, I search Instagram for photographers in that specific area and check out their profiles for inspiration. Explore local photographers and hashtags for inspiration, narrowing down specific spots. 

Searching popular hashtags from the area in a great way to narrow down your search, if you’re planning on a specific spot for shooting.

Save reels and carousels to place-specific lists for future easy referencing.

Pinterest and Finding Photoshoot Locations

Second, I will make a Pinterest board for that location and pin all my favorite images and tips and tricks for the area. Everything from just images to hiking tips, local guides and tips for photographing that area. This helps you get a “feel” for the area, and makes planning your trip that much easier.

Google Images, Streetview, and Google Earth Pro

Third, after deciding which images I want to capture, I take a look at through Google Images, Streetview, and Google Earth Pro.

The database of images on both can really provide you with a clear lay out of the area and what you can expect from your images. Walking the streets with Google Streetview is like walking natural areas with Google Earth Pro.

You get down and dirty and can scout out a location virtually before you physically scout it, saving time. These tools provide a detailed layout of the area, helping me scout virtually before visiting in person.

Don’t forget to turn on the “terrain” option which let’s you see the actual lay out from the ground level. It helps you to see rock formations or anything else on the terrain that can enhance or get in the way of your image. You can download Google Earth Pro, click this link here.

Leverage Photography Communities and Local Social Media

I always love checking out local photographers in the area for inspiration on Google too. Google the local experts in your area or the area you’re travelling to, and follow them on social media, including YouTube.

Engaging with fellow photographers can help you uncover lesser-known locations. Join photography groups, browse online forums like Reddit, or participate in local meetups where others share photography location tips. Learning from other photographers’ experiences can save time and lead you to remarkable places.

YouTube Influencers

Learn from local photography influencers through dedicated episodes filled with tips and tricks for specific areas. 

Photography influencers with or without large followings might have an episode or two dedicated to the specific area you’re interested in filled with tips and tricks. Don’t discount photographers with smaller followings: they have expertise too!

Explore in Person to Discover Hidden Gems

While online research is valuable, nothing replaces physically scouting an area. Walk the trails, pay attention to how light interacts with the landscape, and look for elements that might not be visible on a map. Some of the best photography location scouting experiences come from unexpected discoveries.

Is Finding Great Photography Locations Near Me Hard?

Absolutely not! Actually, it’s more time consuming and tedious than hard. Really good photo spots require some out of the box thinking and planning if you want that prized original shot.

It’s the planning that can takes days and maybe even more than a week to properly execute. rarely is a good image just luck of the draw, coincidence or right-time-right-place.

How Do Photographers Find Locations: Bonus Tip!

A thing I do lately, is to go onto the municipal or regional/county government parks and recreation department websites and search for their Parks Listing Document. The one for my area is a PDF that I downloaded to my phone for on the go access.

In detail, my local area government has listed any and all parks, even the ones that are so small, they are about half or a quarter of the size of a city block! These little pocket parks are so small, they aren’t even visible on Google maps unless you hardcore zoom in.

They detail how accessible they are, # of parking spots (if any), if there are any bathrooms etc.

These tiny parks are clean, undisturbed and best of all, free of people! All the compositions are YOURS! I’ve lucked out lately and been finding some killer comps along with deep dynamic sunsets to pair with them and NO interruptions during shooting! If I remember to bring my drone, the coastlines are perfect for some cinematic slow rolling.

My Favorite Photography Locations Apps

Hands down I use Photopills as much as I can (or as much as I can understand!) It’s helped me take some neat astrophotography shots like this one below at Lost Dutchman State Park in Phoenix. My favorite app to use on my desktop is Google Earth Pro.

The terrain view is a god send paired with the sun/moon/star movements so you can really plan anything. Google Earth Pro’s terrain view is indispensable for planning shoots around celestial movements. 

PhotoPills, Planit Pro! and The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) – Plan for golden hour, sunset, and moonrise for ideal lighting conditions.

Conclusion: Mastering Photography Location Scouting

Finding the perfect place to shoot isn’t just about luck; it’s about preparation, patience, and an adventurous spirit. Photography location scouting allows you to uncover breathtaking scenes, anticipate the best lighting, and create images that tell a deeper story.

Whether you’re using online tools, exploring in person, or learning from fellow photographers, honing your ability to find photoshoot spots will elevate your photography.

By incorporating these photography location tips, you’ll build a stronger connection with the landscapes you capture, ensuring every shot is more intentional and impactful. So get out there, start scouting, and let the journey of discovery lead you to your next great image.