Don’t you just love that yellowish spring green? The new leaves forming on dormant branches is really quite a miracle to behold. The flowering fruit trees are awash in color. These situations are great opportunities for settings for portraits.
As my daughters were growing up, I would prowl the local highways and roads for great settings for their portraits. A field of wildflowers is always a winner. I also used the dogwood tree in their grandparents’ back yard. They would climb up the limbs and into the blossoms for their annual portrait in that tree. You folks in Texas, have your bluebonnets. In New England you have lupine. I bet wherever you live there must be a great place that is lush with vegetation and color.
I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that I’ve even used the median strip in a couple highways. The state does a great job of enhancing our roadways. We are careful not to crush or pick the flowers. I also try to work quickly so as to not distract drivers for any length of time.
Lately I had the opportunity to start this tradition with my grand-daughter. We found a field of daffodils and we set her down amidst them. She is only eight months old, and obviously short, so I had to practically lie on the ground to get the right prospective. But even if you were photographing an adult, a low approach is great for emphasizing the flowers.
Another wonderful point of view for a field of flowers is a high or almost aerial point of view. You can bring a small stepladder and look down on the subject from above. Use a wide-angle lens to give a broader view.
Moving away from the flowers, try putting your subject in their favorite spot, like a hammock, their potting shed, their woodshop, their craft room. Photograph them in a space that they are comfortable in. Their possessions can amplify who they are and what interests them.
As an example, I photographed my mother-in-law working at her quilt frame, making quilts for family members. Even though her arthritic hands made this task a challenge she loved to quilt. And, yes, I did close-ups of her hands as they worked. She is gone now, but those are my favorite images of her, because she was happy when she was quilting.
I love to use natural light whenever possible. Consider your existing light sources and decide if you need to use a flash or not. Think about the portrait before you decide on the location. What mood do you want to create? Drive around, like a movie set scout, to secure the best location options.
I’ve even used a nursing home/assisted living facility for some bridal portraits. It is a converted local mansion, with a wonderful grand staircase, beautiful wrap-around porch and elegant trim. The management was thrilled to cooperate and the residents got a little entertainment watching the photo session with the bride and groom. Of course, always ask permission in advance.
The seashore is a great place to arrange your whole family in the dunes, or on the rocky shore for a group portrait. In the fall, use the great outdoors and fall foliage colors and piles of leaves to your photographic advantage.
So, put your thinking cap on and consider the setting as you go out and make memories with your camera.
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