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Proud pup mom, type A creative, lover of the outdoors, Top Chef fan girl, and wedding and portrait photographer. Welcome to the blog!
HI, I'M RACHEL!
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Washington, D.C. Natural Light Photographer
Today is the Ides of March, which means we are that much closer to the official start of the spring season! Yay! Since we are rounding the corner to warmer temps, today I am sharing my favorite spring photo shoot locations. Photographers & photo shoot planners alike can start getting excited to be outdoors on a regular basis again!
Us natural light photographers & those of us who prefer a natural backdrop in our photos are kind of at the will of the weather when planning our shoots. Although I have come up with some picturesque options for winter shoot locations, I much prefer to have the opportunity to shoot outdoors. Spring photo shoot locations are kind of only limited by your imagination, but today I’m focusing on shooting in areas that evoke the true beauty of the season. Let’s get started!
1. Tree lined street / sidewalk
I don’t know about you, but where I live, flowering trees are some of the first vegetation to start blooming. Driving around town, I’ve seen plenty of side streets lined with blossoming trees; their tender pink and white blooms just beginning to peek out. It just screams “spring!” to me. Plan a shoot along one such street – bonus points if there are trees lining both sides. Even if there are cars, it will just add to the urban feel & you can still manage to get shots without the parked cars. Now cross your fingers for a gust of wind so you can capture some of the blooms blowing off the trees, creating a fairy tale-like petal storm!
2. Arboretum
Kind of along the same lines as the tree lined street or sidewalk, an arboretum would be the perfect early spring photo shoot location! As I said, the trees are starting to bloom, boasting so many lightly colored buds & flowers against the otherwise dark, bare branches, creating a beautiful juxtaposition & backdrop to your photos. There would also be new grass sprouting, adding a vibrant shade of neon green under your subjects’ feet.
3. Outdoor Garden
What do you think of when you think of spring? Flowers! Daffodils & tulips & iris, oh my! True, all of these things can be found at the Trader Joe’s flower section, but more importantly, they can be seen outside in nature this time of year! Weeee! There are actually many outdoor gardens in the Washington, D.C. area – I can think of three just off the top of my head that would make the perfect spring photo shoot location, so hopefully you have as many in your region as well. I love this backdrop for an engagement shoot, family photos, a child’s birthday, or even Easter photos. The possibilities are as endless as the species of flower you’ll find.
Yes, spring is all about blossoming trees and burgeoning flowers, but what does it take to grow all of this lush vegetation? RAIN. Spring is also known for rain, so I also have a couple suggestions for when you need to bring those photo shoots out of the rain.
4. Botanic Garden
I fell in love it the U.S. Botanic Garden located in Washington, D.C., in 2012. I couldn’t believe I had never been before! There are orchids galore, sky high palm trees, funky jungle plants, and brightly colored flowers, creating the *perfect* indoor backdrop for a spring-inspired photo shoot. You might have to obtain a permit to shoot here, but it would be so worth it!
5. Historic Sites
Pretty much everywhere I’ve been up and down the eastern seaboard has local historic sites that offer varying degrees of indoor shooting opportunities in addition to all of the beautiful land surrounding them outdoors. If it’s raining, bring your umbrellas for some shots outside, and then pop into a doorway of an old building or take cover under a porch or awning. You’ll get some of the surrounding vegetation & that spring feel at the same time you’re subjects are covered & out of the weather. The best of both worlds!
HELLO@RACHELEHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
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Rachel is a wedding and portrait photographer
Serving brilliant, elegant couples in Washington D.C. + Beyond
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