Tuesday 5 January 2016

Ideas: shooting locations for fashion bloggers

So this one's for all you fashion bloggers out there wanting to switch things up when it comes to shooting outfit pics. I've been reflecting on my personal blogging journey these last few weeks and I'm really proud that I've found my natural style and aura in front of the camera. If you get in the right mind-set, you'll be able to pose in a street full of people and simply think; f**k it.

Once I started getting experimental with locations, my confidence on camera grew, as did the quality and creativity of the photos. I'm sharing accessible, atmospheric shooting locations I've found so far; secluded yet scenic. You should be able to find similar spots in your area. I've bookmarked some new, fresh locations that I can't wait to shoot at in 2016. For now, check out these typical hotspots of mine... 


A QUIRKY CHURCH

There are tons of them around, you just gotta look! I found this gem locally, all because I took ten minutes out to scan Google Earth in sight of seeking a fresh location. I found the mellow yellow feels and jazzy windows the best features so worked with them. The full post featuring this outfit hasn't actually been published yet; believe it or not it's one of my fave shoots of 2015..! One day soon.... 


Posts shot here: Cactus Cool (round the other side of the church!), Troposphere 


THE SEASIDE 

You can't beat gorgeous OOTD photos by the tide! Often quiet during the winter/spring season, the seaside is a great bet. Plus it's not out of the ordinary to see other tourists taking photos with their candid Canon's by the shore. You won't look out of place posin' for photos when there are other people around doing the same. Summer sees the sea ram-packed, but this time of year? Nah.




Shot October 2014, Southend. You can see 'Southend Soul' for more photos of this sea-side spot...


WHITE WASHED WALL 

Even on a cold day,  if the light's right and the sun's streaking, a white wall is an amazing backdrop to highlight and accentuate any outfit. The first pic was shot back in August 2014, the second from March 2015. As you can see, in the spring season it was a little darker and moodier, but it still works and makes for a spirited shoot. It's all about making the best of the light and time of day. I also can't post this without urging you to check out beautiful, talented Carly's amazing illustration of me, based on the photo below. I'm still so in love with it, forever thank you sweet Carly! ♥




Posts shot here: Butterfly, Rhinestone Rock


STYLISH, SECLUDED STREET 

My guy always teases me about my favourite street to shoot at. "You love that bloody street!" I do,  I do, I do-ooh (Sorry, just watching Kenan and Kel RN) When you start exploring locations, or if you already have, you'll find your favourites, the ones you just can't resist! This, and my rocky retreat, I have to say, are my fire favourites and I've loved every shoot I've gained from them. 





Posts shot here: Wrapped Up, Dark Denim Dreams 


 DISUSED GROUND

I've only shot here twice, but when we found this gravelled space; a perfectly deserted spot that went hella well with my moody-toned outfit, it was yet another unexpected find that was worthwhile. 







PRETTY PARK

I'm personally trying to stave away from here now as I just feel I've done parks to death, but saying that, some of my favourite shoots have been at this tucked away tome. Note: these pictures were all taken in October and November respectively, yet the sun was still out in full blast!





ROCKY RETREAT

This little gem was found whilst out driving one day. It's a beachy, rocky hive of blissed out beach that's one of my favourite locations during the summer, and occasionally during winter. Often deserted, it's in a relatively out-of-bounds area. This is a great example of how going for a drive and/or taking a few hours to explore gets you great results when it comes to finding those no-one-will-find-out-and-shoot-here-too locations. 









I'm looking to start this as a five-part series, a kind of "ideas and guidance to fashion blog shooting" so I hope you find part 1 beneficial! I'll talk more in length about gaining confidence in front of the camera as we go on, and I'll also be covering other topics such as my typical shooting routine, posing and prepping, top tips for a better blog shoot etc. Let me know if you found this post helpful, as I'd definitely love to make it a regular, monthly feature. 



Where do you like to shoot blog photos?
Do you like the look of these locations?




27 comments:

  1. Great idea for a post Sophie, it makes me want to get out there and explore x

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  2. All of these locations are just lovely - I'm sure this will be super useful to all the fashion bloggers out there! :) I especially love your seaside shoot and the gorgeous white blouse you are wearing <3 So pretty! Aaw, I'm so grateful I got to illustrate something for you, I adore your original style and you were such a beauty to illustrate! <3 Great idea for a blog post!!! ♥ xxx

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  3. I can't wait for your next posts about this topic! Shooting great outfit pictures is very important for me and I struggle to find new locations because I'm not completely confident with posing in a street full of people - yet! Taking outfit pictures on a beach is a great idea. I actually live pretty close to the beach so I definitely have to go there when the weather gets better. There's a forest like 10 meters from where I live so that's where I normally shoot outfit pictures but recently I found a few cute spots in a city close to where I live. I can't wait to take some outfit pictures there!

    I hope you're having an amazing day, Sophie <3

    Hugs from Denmark x
    Mathilde | MATHILDE JULIE

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  4. These are good suggestions. Thanks for the tips and great photos, beautiful.

    http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. Loved this post and so much information too! I always like changing up my style post locations and getting inspiration from other bloggers x


    Jenny | Krystel Couture

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  6. I'm a bugger for just taking outfit photos in my garden, which is convenient but doesn't always make the best back drop. This definitely inspired me to get out with my camera! xxx

    www.gracebee.co.uk

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  7. These are are great locations. I'm a sucker for a white wall!

    Jenn | Jennifer Jayne

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  8. No fashion blogger here, but these are amazing locations! Love the ideas, Soph!
    Writingmonique

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  9. This is a great post idea Sophie, finding new locations can be a lot of fun for sure! I love how you mentioned that if you get in the right mindset, it's easier to think 'f it' and get on with the photos, I'm the same way! :)

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
    x

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  10. Ooh definitely feeling inspired after this! Finding a good location is what's stopping me from posting more outfit posts these days as I've just moved back home after studying in Winchester. Winchester was thee most picturesque town so there was potential on every street corner, however now I live in a tiny town where there's pretty much nothing but houses, and not even cool quirky houses! Plus I take my photos myself using a tripod and self timer so it needs to be especially quiet. But you really can't go wrong with a basic white wall!

    Looking forward to seeing the rest of this series :)

    SinĂ©ad ♥ fabuleuse, toujours ♥

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  11. i really like this post! it helps a lot because i struggle to find places to shoot. i want to start experimenting with locations. this is great inspiration(:

    http://hellokuo.blogspot.com/

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  12. Hi beautiful lady! What a fab post and a huge YESS to this becoming a regular feature :) All of your locations are so spot on- and I have some similar ones that I use in Cairns for my photos too! Haha @ your man! They will never understand blogging. It's safe to say that I've managed to turn my other half into a full blown 'Instagram husband'- oops!

    So glad you feel confident in front of the camera- you totally should :) you're such a stunner and all your looks are awesome! I love all of the 90s prints you've rocked in 2015!


    Rachel xx
    http://www.thedailyluxe.net

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  13. I love how your photo styles are so qwirky and unique! It makes your fashion posts so interesting! This 5 part series sounds so kool - I defo need advice on shooting style type posts!! Ps. I love the pretty park background

    xx

    LAURA THINKS ABOUT BLOG

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  14. I love bloggers who use seaside or secluded streets locations, it makes for such a nice backdrop xx

    www.adaliascloset.blogspot.co.uk

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  15. Fab post, my lovely Sophie! :) I think it's so much fun to look for different locations/backdrops/backgrounds for photoshoots - and actually find them! Well done on the selection you got there hon. We used to have sea side 5min away from our house but now sadly, after moving, we don't anymore. Favourite street thing made me laugh but hey, it's "your" street hon and you're rockin' it.
    Love ya!
    xox Nadia
    http://www.mielandmint.com/

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  16. I've pretty much exhausted my location ideas for shoots already so this one definitely helps! I've never thought of looking for quirky churches, but then again where I live, there aren't much. The seaside is a personal favourite of mine though i've realized I've only shot once at the beach.

    May | THE MAYDEN | bloglovin'

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  17. These are one by one simply amazing as shooting locations, original and so gorgeous, and they always seem to go with the outfit you're wearing! And what a cool idea to use Google Streetview to browse through the area to find a new shooting location, very original! Also love the photo of you by the seaside, you look so incredibly stunning!
    XO IMKE | Pastellics

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  18. Great ideas and post! Really helps. I'm always a bit shy about taking pictures in the street, but now want to go and find locations!
    Looking forward to more posts. I'd love to know how to take a decent outfit picture!

    Tina x
    www.teaisfortina.co.uk

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  19. Parks and streets are my favorites too. I also have a favorite street. It's white, pretty, and usually no one is hanging around! I've always loved your locations btw. :)

    aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com

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  20. All of your outfits and photos look fabulous! I love all of these different locale and setting ideas for outfit photos. You've given me some good ideas - now if I can only muster the courage and energy to put them to use. All of my blog outfit photos have been taken inside so far.
    I love the prints on your outfits in the Stylish Secluded Street, Disused Ground, Pretty Park and Rocky Retreat photos. My favourite outfit is the one you wore in front of the White Washed Wall.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  21. This post is so lovely, I'm always struggling for the perfect location for photos. :) xx

    www.hello-cat.blogspot.com

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  22. I totally agree- the locations can also make your outfit photos stand out. These are great locations you've showcased!

    xo,
    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

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  23. Quirky and beautiful places are the best! Thank you for these ideas, my favourite place is in the park or countryside but I'd definitely love to experiment more in 2016! Love your blog :D xx

    elizabeth ♡ ”Ice Cream” whispers Clara | (doing follow for follow on bloglovin or instagram)

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  24. Really enjoyed this post Soph! So many brilliant ideas! One of the reasons why I don't do OOTD's too often is because I can't find a nice place to shoot, this why I loved this post so much!!

    Paula
    Thirteen Thoughts

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  25. I'm so glad you did this post! It's so important to have various locations up your sleeve to shoot in to add variety to your blog and shoots. There's nothing worse than seeing outfit photos in the same place all the time :) i definitely need to get my ass into gear and look for locations as well for me to shoot in! I can't wait to see more posts in this series :)

    Yasmin xx
    www.yasminqureshiphotography.blogspot.co.uk

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  26. Great ideas - finding great locations to shoot outfits is one of the hardest things for me! Love your photographs!

    Alice / Alice Grace Beauty

    x

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  27. Some really great ideas! Location shooting is something I'm trying hard to get the courage to do at the moment. Your photos always look amazing and can't wait to see some of your upcoming locations. Katie xx

    www.thestyleblossom.com

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