If you're a UCSC student, these are the places I'd recommend for us to do our shoo! This is absolutely NOT an all-inclusive list, but if you're wondering where to start, this is a great tool :)
The Dos and Don'ts of
picking a photo location
Do
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Nature Spots: This is obviously my fav (I chose to go to UCSC after all) and I think shooting in nature is always a safe bet for fire photos.
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Urban Settings: If nature isn't really your vibe or you want something more "edgy," street art creates a vibrant feel for your pictures.
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The Beach: Also a classic, the beach usually provide perfect weather and stunning golden-hour shots.
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Your Fav Place: Personal spots that reflect your unique style and personality add a lot of authenticity to your photos. Were you an athlete and practically lived on the field? Or did you do theatre and were always up on stage? Either way, you can't go wrong with shooting what you're comfortable with :D
Don't
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Indoor Spaces: This isn't ALWAYS a no-go, but most of the time indoor spots will have poor lighting and the images can come out unflattering. If this is what you want though, we'll make it work!!
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Crowded or Busy Areas: Too many people can distract from the main subject, making the shoot feel chaotic or unprofessional. I CAN edit people out of the background, but this will require an additional fee.
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Locations with Harsh/Poor Lighting: Direct sunlight, mid-day glare, or a lack of lighting isn't ideal. At UCSC the trees are SUPER tall, so picking a time when the light will be able to reach over the trees and hit your face is crucial.
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Unkempt/Messy Environments: A cluttered/dirty location will distract from you and diminish the quality of the shoot.