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Guess what?! Many of the best places to shoot in the Bay Area are open spaces. These open areas have beautiful scenery that serves as a perfect backdrop for photo shoots. Instead of some of the Bay Area’s famous landmarks (eg, the Golden Gate Bridge), the open space would be great. Open spaces are limited and provide a natural theme. I recommend this location to my clients, as seen in one of my recent posts: Top Ten Locations for Family Photos.
The Golden Hour
Although any open space can exceed expectations in terms of style and beauty, the most important thing to achieve success in such arrangements is the timing of the picture. I highly recommend doing these sessions in the afternoon, near or at sunset. The sun will be low in the sky, giving off a soft and contrasting light. Less contrast in light reduces the risk of people taking pictures being hidden in deep shadows or bright light. In addition, warm light adds excitement to the scene, and long shadows help to pick out details, add texture and depth to the image. Another benefit of shooting at sunset is that the sky is more vibrant. The blue of the sky and the orange of the sun combine to create a beautiful palette of pastel colors.
I understand that sometimes it is difficult for families with young children to have a late stage. If that’s the case, I recommend planning ahead so that customers can get the most out of it. If my clients can’t get an evening shot, I recommend the morning session, because the morning light has the same qualities as the sunset. Alternatively, I work with my clients to find an open space with more shade to make the light easier to use. For this reason, oak works very well. They are beautiful and many are very large, creating a lot of cover. However, the beautiful golden glow of the “golden hour” before sunset is irreplaceable.
Another benefit of choosing an open space is the intimate space. The children are free to play and show their personalities without distractions which allows me to capture the true reality of the family.
About the Division
I took the photos in this blog at the Rancho San Antonio Preserve. It was a wonderful evening with lovely people. Originally from the UK, the couple made the San Francisco Bay Area their permanent home. Even though they were so young, these kids didn’t even mind staying up past bedtime. The promise of donuts after the session kept them happy and their energy was high throughout the two-hour shoot. There were many unrecorded moments of happiness that I easily captured with my camera. Have fun!