Tips for Location Scouting and Shooting Outdoor Portraits

Finding new locations to shoot can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you don't live in the area. What can you do to improve your chances of finding those amazing photoshoot locations? 

In this video, Michael Sasser talks about his trip to Hawaii and how he found the locations he shot at while visiting. When it comes down to location-scouting, Sasser shares three tips to help you find the location and how to get an idea of what the locations look like to help you judge whether or not they will work for your shoot. If you do not know anyone in the area you plan on shooting at, all three tips can be done behind the screen of your computer or mobile device. However, communication with a local can help you find better options. 

After covering the location scouting portion on the video, Sasser ventures out on location and continues to share tips throughout the video with the behind the scenes portion. These tips cover lighting, posing, and communication with the model throughout the shoot at both locations. As the light starts to fade, Sasser continues to get some shots that are intentionally underexposed, but he's not done sharing just yet. He proceeds to share information with a follow-up on how he edits that underexposed shot in Adobe Lightroom.

So, to recap, in this video, Sasser starts with tips on finding a location and continues with tips throughout the entire process to completion on one of the shots. There were a number of tips in this video. Which was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.