How to choose a photoshoot location
One of the most common questions I get asked as a brand photographer is:
“Where should we shoot?”
And to be honest, the answer depends on your brand, your goals and the kind of feeling you want your photos to have. But don’t worry, you don’t need to have the perfect Pinterest board or a long list of dreamy venues. I’m here to help you figure it out.
Whether you’re planning a full brand shoot or just need a few updated headshots, here’s what to consider when choosing the right location.
1. Start with your brand style
Think about how you want your business to come across. Is your brand polished and professional? Creative and quirky? Warm and welcoming?
Your location should match that energy. A high-end studio space gives a different feel to a cosy coffee shop. A sleek co-working space says something different to a countryside Airbnb.
If your brand is all about clean lines, minimalism and professionalism, you might lean towards a studio or modern space. If you’re a creative with a more personal, relaxed feel, somewhere like your home, a studio set with softer textures, or a styled café might suit you better.
When you choose a photoshoot location that truly reflects your brand, it shows in the final images.
2. Think about how you’ll use the photos
Are these going on your website? Do you need wide banner shots? Do you want options that look good on Instagram or in printed brochures?
If you need variety, look for locations that give you multiple backgrounds in one place. My studio, for example, has moveable furniture and flexible styling so we can get a wide range of looks without changing location.
Bonus tip: if you’re planning to launch something soon, think ahead and choose a photoshoot location that fits the next season of your business too.
3. Check the light
This one’s huge. Natural light can make or break your photos.
If we’re shooting in your home, make sure there are bright, well-lit spaces with big windows. If we’re renting a space, I’ll always check how much natural light it gets at the time of day we’re planning to shoot.
Good light means fewer shadows, better skin tones, and all-round more flattering photos.
4. Don’t forget the practicalities
You want your shoot day to run smoothly, so make sure your chosen location ticks the practical boxes too:
- Enough space to move around comfortably
- Somewhere to change outfits
- Plug sockets if we’re using lighting
- Parking or transport links if you’re bringing props
If we’re booking a location together, I’ll always double-check these things for you.
5. Studio vs. On Location: Which is better?
There’s no right or wrong. It just depends on what works best for your brand and comfort.
Studio shoots are great if you want a clean, polished feel, total control over the setup, and no worries about the weather. (My studio is designed for exactly that. Stylish, flexible, and always flattering.)
On-location shoots are ideal if your space is part of your story, like a creative studio, a shop, a treatment room, or if you want to bring a little more lifestyle into your photos.
6. Ask your photographer (me!)
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Part of what I do is help you plan every detail, including how to choose a photoshoot location that works for your goals.
I’ve got a whole list of studio spaces, stylish venues, and hidden gems I love to shoot in, and I’ll always guide you based on what will suit you.
Here are a few of my favourite places in Yorkshire:
- Hideaway Cafe – Redbrick Mill
- My studio (erm… obviously)
- The Motorist – a lovely restaurant
- Leeds city centre – so many great buildings, walls and graffiti
- Hazlewood Castle – great for outdoor shoots in summer
- Norfolk House in Huddersfield – stunning quirky interiors and a cute
- Luxury House in Tadcaster
I also use places on Airbnb and the location finding website Lifestyle Locations
Ready to plan your shoot?
Whether you’ve got a dream location in mind or no clue where to start, I’ll help you find somewhere that feels like you and works beautifully for your brand.
Get in touch and let’s make it easy.
