5 fabulous locations in Angus and Dundee for your family photo shoot.
As Phil and Kirsty say, it’s all about Location, Location, Location.
Well erm…kind of. It’s a bit more complicated than that really.
Let me explain.
Whenever you book a photography session the lovely photographer will ask you where you would like the session to take place.
The location is pretty crucial for a couple of reasons.
It will act as the backdrop for all of your images so you have to be happy with what will be visible behind you i.e. the colours and general mood this will give the images.
It should reflect who you and your family are and needs to be somewhere that you feel comfortable.
You want the backdrop of your images to help tell your story.
So with this in mind, where are the best local locations?
Here are a few of my favourites…
1. The beach
Beaches are fabulous for a couple of reasons.
They offer a neutral backdrop - so the images will generally look good with any styling in your home when they are up on the wall. (Yes! We actually plan for where you’d like to hang them afterwards.)
It works well if the weather is good or bad.
Kids love running about/drawing in the sand/collecting shells and generally getting wet - at the end of the session. All make for good photo opportunities.
If you are Dundee based then Tentsmuir is just across the bridge and is stunning. The massive expanse of beach and the glorious dunes give plenty of texture to your images.
Tentsmuir Beach
Ok so technically this isn’t in Dundee or Angus…but it’s ten mins across the bridge so it’s totally doable from Dundee.
If you are lucky enough to get a sunny evening here then it is just magic.
The sun is always the magical element we hope for…by the powers of Windy Wilson and Grayskull! Lol! (If you don’t know what the power of Grayskull is then I’m sorry but you’re just too young and I’m afraid I’m going to have to dislike you a teeny bit!)
And because Scottish weather has a tendency to be..well Scottish, the beach is still a cracking spot even when the sun doesn’t decide to grace us with it’s presence.
Grey, foggy days can be just as atmospheric…
Lunan Bay
If you are Angus based then you can’t beat Lunan Bay.
Monifieth Beach
Monifeith has also been a favourite of mine recently! I’m based here so it’s super handy and the playpark is always a good carrot to dangle for bribery after the session has ended.
2. Monikie
This one is a popular choice throughout the year with the gorgeous expanse of trees and the path that runs up the middle of it.
In the autumn the blanket of russet leaves gives the most amazing backdrop but it’s actually pretty great regardless of the time of year.
There are toilets here too…albeit basic and there are trees to climb and swings to swing so there are plenty of fun things to do before, after and during a session.
I could run through many other ‘typical’ places but to be perfectly honest the next few are my absolute favourites to shoot in and they aren’t even remotely obvious, mainly because they haven’t been chosen because they are perfect locations but because they have perfect light.
A nice backdrop is great but if you have a nice backdrop at the expense of good light then your images will be….well a bit pants. Yup sorry Phil and Kirsty but when it comes to photography sessions it isn’t all about the location.
It’s actually all about light!
Light beats location every time. Photographers will categorically always think of light first because good light is what really makes an image stand out. And at the right time of day good light can become utterly magical.
What is magical light? Here’s a few of my favourite examples. These were all taken in golden hour (the best ever kind of light) .
And so with that in mind we have…
3. A field/overgrown heaven
Yup a random field, just at the side of a road. This is preferable with older kiddies. They need to be old enough to understand that not running onto the road is a good idea and also follow instructions so that no crops are damaged in the making of the images.
The farmer’s permission is a good idea because well…it’s just polite really.
If you can actually access a proper unused field somewhere it’s even better. For this shoot we had planned on a completely different spot. I always go for a nose at a location a week or so before the shoot and when I drove to the spot I passed a field!
After a bit of digging I found out who it belonged to and the owner generously agreed to let us use it.
As a location it was brilliant and we were completely alone. Word to the wise though…a little bit of bug repellent is a good idea if you are hitting any spot with lots of lovely long grass.
4. Long grass anywhere.
Parks are great. There is always a mixture of foliage and bushes, trees to climb and adventures to have.
Since covid hit, and the councils started cutting back on their grass cutting, little pockets of long grass heaven can be found everywhere! The fab thing about long grass is that the focus of the image is on you and your family.
That’s what you want, right?
So long as it gets good light then you are on to a winner.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been a teeny bit distracted whilst driving looking at random patches of grass at the side of the road. Occupational/obsessional hazard!
The long grass doesn’t even have to be in any particular great spot so long as it gets the right light.
I am completely serious.
Take this wee patch.
Not the prettiest is it?
Dog bin, busy road behind it but at the right time of day on a sunny evening…magic! Locations can absolutely make an image better, but light….that’s the clincher!
5. My little home studio
If we’re thinking that outdoors might not be your thing but you still want to capture something a bit special then inside is always an option.
And if the thought of getting ready for a shoot and then having to clean and tidy your own home in preparation doesn’t really thrill then let me be the mad cleaning wifie and come to me instead.
My little home studio is set up to offer a simple, natural backdrop so the focus is on you and your gorgeous little people.
We can do any kind of session in this space, although it is perfect for maternity sessions, new babies and little people who perhaps aren’t at the stage to be out and about in the chillier weather.
It is light and bright and comes with the added comfort of a family room beside the studio. Family members can relax with a snack or a coffee, toys, books and wifi whilst I snap away in the studio.
So…this is possibly not the list you were expecting.
I’m sure I could have listed a few landscaped gardens or more obvious ones…Dawson Park in the cherry blossom, Crombie with the rhododendrons, bluebells anywhere are all popular choices but to be honest sometimes the simplest places with the best light are the best.
So…where would you go? Which local location would best represent your family?
Feel free to drop it in the comments…especially if you are sitting on a wee hidden gem of a spot!
And if you’re really starting to tick over about this then let’s just get the ball rolling.
Click the link below and fill out the form and I’ll be in touch to chat through whatever it is that your heart desires (photography related that is…sorry I can’t magic up Chris Hemsworth in a pinny to do your housework I’m afraid!).
