The creative process I work in when finding and planning a session for a couple includes their needs and visions. But also involves a variety of aspects and inputs but I am going to try to put it into words.
When I was growing up, I spent part of my summers with my father sailing in the many waters around Sthlm. The rest of my summers I spent in Poland. I was either in our apartment, or at relatives in Zakopane, Katowice or Gdansk. So I did see and experienced a lot, and I loved doing so. As I continued to travel, I always preferred exploring new places. The silence when you go somewhere less known is magical, and I’ve come to enjoy places where the locals go instead of more crowded places.
Part of my creative process comes from my history and maybe also from the fact that I feel at home on more than one spot. Sometimes Stockholm is home, sometimes Gotland and sometimes New York. You may wonder how this effects my creative process, but I believe that I (in some ways) try to make the places I find to feel comfortable or home- like to the persons I am photographing.
So, let me try to be a more practical in my way of putting it.
- Yes I use apps. I use Google maps, I use Sun Seeker, I use Pinterest and I use Instagram.
- This is my lifestyle. What do I mean by that? I have my eyes and ears always open to find new spots.
Examples that I have done in photoshoots. Let me start with Scotland. I had never been to Scotland when Lorna found me on my instagram. She wanted to get photos of her teenaged daughter and her in Edinburgh. I used all of the apps above to find photos, inspirational ideas, and to see where the (possible) sun would shine. This was in January, so I knew the sun would stay low and we’d get light from the side more than above. I wanted sunrise photos by the sea, but was told that they rarely see sunrise in Edinburgh. Well…. Did I make it you think?
Also I wanted to catch the lights in the alleys from the castle down on the Royal mile. So we had breafast and waited an hour or two for the sun to get a little higher.
Some of my most super fun jobs has been those where i hD NO IDEA where to have the session.
I did a similar (yet not at all) family shoot in a place I had never been. Maspalomas sand dunes in Gran Canary.
I used the apps and did scout as I do as much as I can, and we set sunrise. Thankfully the family trusted in me and dared. This is what we got.
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Enjoy!
See you soon!
XOX Evelyn
Love, love, love! Such a unique and thoughtful insight…and beautiful images, too!
Thanks so much!
This is a great blog post to help people feel more confident about booking in places they or their photographer haven’t been before!
Yes! I mean that does happen!
Quite a few of the shoots I have done abroad has been chosen from their vision and not from where they or I have been before.
It’s so true! sometimes locations just don’t pop in mind and then when it happens it’s so amazing to be able to create gorgeous photos like yours. because even if location has a huge importance, it’s not what makes photos , it’s the feelings . And when a photographer is as talented as you are, any location can work đ
Wow thank you for sharing your thoughts!
So many times the real gems arenât the first spot you think of! Thatâs why scouting is so much fun!
I can see why these families trusted your call – these images are so beautiful!
What a great informational blog post! I’m sure your clients and potential clients can find so much value in this. And I love that you’re constantly looking for new locations, even when not working!!
Thank you! I do, I feel like I live elopements and experiencing new places.
This is super helpful to clients who are worried that the location will be put on them! It is great to know that you are thoughtful and have plenty of resources in your pocket to provide great suggestions to your clients.
Very true! The trust they put in me is always something I value of so highly! Thank you!