One of the biggest decisions when it comes to your session is where it will take place, so I thought I’d detail what I generally suggest for options.

Things I avoid:

Crowded places. This includes parks, the walking bridge, frequently used trails, etc. The exception to this is urban shoots in downtown Fredericton.

Heavily manicured places. Mowed parks with benches, lawns, etc. This type of scene provides very little texture or interest. An example of this would be Odell Park.

Places with no open shade whatsoever - especially beaches with no cliffs/rocks, unless right at sunset.

Options:

Your home or property - I love shooting at places special to you! In-home sessions are among my favourites.

A place special to your family - a specific beach or spot you frequent that is familiar to your children. Occasionally I have clients who want a certain specific look or location, like the coast, and I’m happy to meet you there.

In Saint John/Rothesay - Spyglass Hill is my favourite place to shoot, especially in the evening. Beautiful fairy trees, tall grass, and a gorgeous view. I also shoot at Saint’s Rest Beach (at the beginning of Irving Nature Park) and have shot at a couple of other locations.

If you’re more local to me (including Fredericton), I require you to travel to my area unless you have special circumstances or want one of the above locations. Why, you may ask? I know these locations like the back of my hand! I know what time of day they look best, I know exactly where the light will hit, and my familiarity with these locations means your session will run very smoothly as I know exactly where to go to get the most out of it. I have two main locations I shoot at and I want to describe them below:

The river. This is a common request from my clients, and for good reason. When the river light is good, you just can’t beat it. This location absolutely shines from late July-late September. The pros: mosquitoes usually aren’t too bad out on the water. There is lots for little hands and feet to explore. The water is usually quite shallow from mid-late summer and perfect for wading. The rocks add texture and interest. There is a barn near the parking area that’s great for those who like it, and there are trails for variety. The cons: it’s a public area and I will always respect other photographers using the park, and there may be people swimming/sitting in the areas I usually shoot. If it’s not sunny, it’s not quite as magical, and if the water is high I don’t recommend it. Once the leaves fall, everything is quite bare. It is best at sunset; a 6pm June session is far too bright.
The farm. It’s not REALLY a farm, but it’s a private property I use that has a barn, an old white unoccupied house, and several outbuildings. The pros: this place is gorgeous from mid-May right through November due to apple trees, fields, and wildflowers. It’s more easily accessible to anyone with mobility concerns. There are apple trees on the property, so it’s got blossoms in the spring and apples in the fall. Lots of room to roam, so it’s ideal for active kids and dogs. It’s on a quiet road without much traffic. No other photographers use this property. And best of all, it’s gorgeous in any light. Cons: the bugs. There are a lot of bugs from mid-May onward, though in the late summer and fall they don’t bite, they just swarm. There’s no water aside from a small stream that dries up in the summer. The sun goes behind the hills before sunset so while it’s ideal for people with young kids who can’t stay out super late in the summer, you don’t usually get that orangey light.

I do have a couple of other local spots that I use for anyone wanting to change it up, though those locations do usually require a bit more walking. Generally speaking, shooting outside of my general area will result in a mileage fee in addition to session costs.

Have an idea and want to explore it? Please ask! These are not set-in-stone rules. We can work out a good location together.