One of my favorite parts of my job is finding beautiful locations to explore and plan epic photoshoots! Throughout my career as a photographer and filmmaker, I’ve been so lucky to travel throughout the United States and exploring national parks, beautiful forest lands, endless oceans, and deep canyons. Many of my favorite spots are in the depths of the Colorado San Juan’s, Moab’s red canyons, or the sand dunes of New Mexico. It took me years and years to find these spots and get to know them intimately.

It’s important that a location reflects your brand’s message or the aesthetic you want to convey in a marketing shoot. While a national park or iconic beach might sound beautiful, you never know what goes into permitting or whether another hidden gem will fit you better!

Here’s a peek into how I look for new photography spots and discover the most perfect locations for your shoot, with a few handy tips for scouting your own locations!

Things to Consider:

When I’m looking for a new location to shoot at, I’m always keeping a few different things in mind:

the purpose of the shoot (branding, elopement, environmental portraits, etc)
how the light changes throughout the day
whether the terrain and atmosphere fit the vibe of the project
accessibility for crews, clients, or couples (there’s a big difference in trying to get three hikers into a spot vs an entire production crew)
who owns the land (this is critical information because you need to apply for the proper permits. even if the area/shoot doesn’t require them, you need to know this.)

Google Maps

Although this isn’t usually how I discover a new spot, it’s worth mentioning first because it’s how I organize and capture all of my favorite locations. You can create lists and add labels to any spots you come across whether it’s on social media, blog, or if you drive by an epic pull-off you just have to come back to. It’s also helpful to visualize locations when you can’t visit before the shoot.

Apps and Social Media

Like many of us, I’m always coming across beautiful spots on Instagram and TikTok that I’m saving to a Google map. The best ways to find new locations on these apps or even Pinterest is to search for local photographers and see where they’re shooting.

I love browsing through All Trails to find new hikes and places to explore! People are always uploading photos for the trails so it’s a great way to see the environment at different seasons and times. If you’re looking for something specific like an alpine lake or waterfall, you can tailor your parameters to match.

PhotoPills is my secret weapon for every shoot and location scouting project! This app makes it so easy to check the lighting conditions in an exact spot at any date. Sometimes, I’ll have a location in mind but can’t get out there to check lighting so this saves me a headache and I can double check the sun as we near time changes. It’s also so much fun to plan for night shoots and astrophotography with PhotoPills!

Blogs

I love looking for area-specific blogs for location inspiration! This is especially great if you’re look for out-of-town recommendations and want an insider’s scoop. I don’t spend a ton of time in the PNW, so I’m always looking at The Mandagies for photo inspiration and location guides if I have a shoot that way! Other great blogs are Miss Rover and Renee Roaming.

Roam Your Home

Where are you right now? Even if you’ve lived in the same place for the last ten years, spend some time getting to know your area with a fresh set of eyes. Taking your camera and exploring your local trails, mountains, and towns is a great way to find new shooting locations.

Permitting

Permits can be a headache and confusing, especially when working with a photographer and commercial rights. Always check where your spot is and triple check whose jurisdiction it falls under. Applying for commercial and/or photography permits is a must. I know you could get away without one but it’s always that one shoot where a ranger comes to check and suddenly you’re facing a fine. It’s just not worth it.

Location scouting is time-intensive and can be an organizational nightmare with different permits and teams. That’s why you can hire me to take this off your plate! I find the perfect spot and obtain all the required permits so we won’t run into any legal or scheduling issues that day of shooting!

If you’re looking for photography that brings your brand to life in the Rockies or Southwest, I’m ready! Let’s talk and see what amazing work we can do together!

How I Scout Locations for Epic Brand and Adventure Photography