3 Location Tips for Wyoming Senior Photos

It seems like a strange time to start planning Wyoming senior photos. The wind is blowing here in Cheyenne like a hurricane, and it’s so cold I don’t even want to think about being outside. But summer is just around the corner, and we all know how short our summer and fall seasons can feel. If you want to grab a summer or fall date for Wyoming senior photos, the time to reach out is now.

Some senior clients really want to shoot in a location that is meaningful to them, and these locations almost always have to with mountains that are special to them or to their families. Megan loves the Wind River Range, which is why we chose Pinedale for her senior photos, as you’ll see below.

Most of my clients, however, don’t have anything specific in mind for locations. I always tell my clients that location matters a lot less than you think it does for senior photos. As long as we have sunshine, trees and open spaces, I can truly shoot anywhere. So how do we finally decide on a location for your session? Here are a few things to think about as you plan for your Wyoming senior photos.

1. First, Find A General Look that Fits Your Personality

Megan felt a special connection to Pinedale and the Winds, but most clients plan their Wyoming senior photos with less specific locations in mind, and that’s ok too. When we start your initial consultation, I ask about what type of locations feel right to you. I like to approach this decision in more general concepts. Together, we decide if we are going for an urban look, for mountains, for wide open spaces with tall grass and fences, or for a sport concept. We usually end up with a combination of a couple of these looks.

Think about where you love to spend your free time. Are you shopping on the weekends, frequenting coffee shops or are you out hiking and biking in the mountains? Are you most at home on your family’s ranch? Or is one of your second homes a court or field? We can highlight the tennis court, foot ball field or soccer goal in your photos as well.

Most clients choose two different locations. Depending on your preferences, we tend to prioritize one of those locations as the place where we take most of your photos.

2. Think About Variety

Even if you love the mountains, I would encourage you to think about a second location. Having two contrasting locations adds variety and depth to your photos. Urban locations allow for different types of textures, different light patterns, and a totally different vibe than a mountain setting. Even in a small town like Pinedale, Megan and I were able to find some different building textures to add a little variety to her photos.

A second location also allows for different clothing options. For example, urban locations are great locations to wear heels, in contrast to dirt roads where they will sink into the dirt.

3. Think About Timing

If I recommend locations for your Wyoming senior photos, I am always thinking about the time it will take for travel and outfit changes. When we decide on two locations, we need to consider the logistics to maximize our shooting time and the available light we have during your session.

Another consideration is length of day. If we are shooting your session in the fall, the light goes down a lot earlier than in summer months. If I only have weekdays left at the time you schedule your session, you might have to miss sports practices that evening. Solution? Book your Wyoming senior session early to have your pick of dates!