Parking lots may be the last thing that come to mind when considering a photo shoot location.  So, why do I love shooting in parking lots over parks?  I know not everyone can come to a CONFIDENCE Workshop (although I hope you ALL can at some point! :)).  So how about if I show you why I love parking lots as a photo shoot location?

During the model shoot at our Sacramento CONFIDENCE Workshop (with the most lovely ladies!), I noticed one group was photographing their mom and baby in the grass.  Perfect time to demonstrate why I love parking lots over parks!

Grass eats up the light!  When the sun hits the grass, the light is sucked up instead of bouncing back up in to the person’s face.  Sometimes the light will even have a green hue to it.  Anyone ever experience this?  This doesn’t mean you can’t ever photograph people in grass, BUT if there is a big parking lot with lots of cement, even an alleyway, I may consider going there.

Here is an “unedited” example of how the light isn’t bouncing back up into baby’s face.  Instead, you can almost see the shadows on baby’s face around the eyebrows, cheeks and chin.  Does everyone see what I’m talking about?

But look what happens when we move mom and baby into the alleyway and have them sit down on the concrete!  The concrete is white/gray and the sunlight bounces off the concrete and illuminates their faces–no shadows anywhere!  Just gorgeous light!  This photo is straight out of the camera with no editing.

Can you see the difference?  It’s your own Fill Light happening without needing a flash or reflector!

During Day 2 of the workshop, we walk the ladies through our system or organizing images and post process.  I show the ladies how I edit my images and talk about my reasoning behind the editing choices I make.  You could take this image into Lightroom, and accentuate the colors just a bit. (Isn’t this mama gorgeous?!)

 

But I like it in Black and White too!

This photo shoot location tip is one favorite tricks that we teach at the CONFIDENCE Workshop.  The weekend gives you a bag full of tricks  so you can walk away from the workshop in confidence, both inside and out!

 

xoxo,

m

 

p.s.  Okay, I have to do this too!  I was editing Mini Session photos, and I have to show you a couple sneak peaks!

ANNIE!!!  I was FREAKING OUT on the plane when I got to this series from our Mini!!

And the Sossaman Clan of SEVEN singing their hearts out!!  SO MUCH FUN!!! I first met Sharon when she came to our Sonoma CONFIDENCE Workshop years ago. Now she is this AWESOME Photographer! Check out her beautiful new website!  And their family has become the dearest friends.  (love you guys!)

 

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