A client recently asked, "Why do you choose the locations you do?"  

For me, when it comes to outdoor photography, location isn’t just a backdrop — it’s part of my creative process for every session. Every place I shoot is chosen intentionally, and there’s a lot of thought behind where we go and when we’re there.

Light is always my starting point. I spend a lot of time scouting and learning my locations — how the sun moves through them, when the light turns soft, where it filters just right, what direction it comes from and when it disappears completely. Knowing this allows me to work confidently and efficiently, even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Like one evening, just a couple years ago. My daughter and I had just finished dinner clean-up and I'd just put her in the bath tub when all of a sudden I received a text from a client and realized I’d completely forgotten about our session! By that time, we had roughly 30 minutes before the sun was gone!  No panic — because I had my go-to location 10 minutes from my house. I knew exactly where the light would be in those final moments, which direction to shoot, and how to move quickly without rushing the experience. The session came together beautifully, and you’d never know we were racing the sunset. That kind of confidence only comes from familiarity.

(It is actually one of my very favourite Kamloops family sessions still to this day -- and it's the one you are seeing in the images throughout this blog post!)

I also choose locations that offer privacy. Many of the spots I use are quiet and tucked away, so you can feel relaxed without feeling watched. Privacy creates comfort, and comfort creates honest images. When you’re not distracted by people passing by, it’s easier to be present and be yourself.

Another reason I return to the same locations is simply trust. I know how to adapt if clouds roll in, if the light shifts early, or if we’re working with a tight window. Less wandering, less guessing — more creating.

And yes, I intentionally gatekeep some of my best locations. When spots are over-shared, they quickly become overcrowded, overused, and lose what made them special in the first place. By protecting certain spaces I like to use, I’m able to keep them quiet and private.

Most importantly, this protects your experience. You get space to slow down, feel comfortable, and stay connected to the moment. These locations aren’t just points on a map —I've taken the time to scout them out and they’re part of my creative process; knowing them deeply allows me to show up prepared, calm, and ready to create something meaningful, no matter what our timeline looks like.