When I first started as a photographer more than ten years ago, I stressed about the locations I would shoot at.  I spent so much time trying to find the prettiest place for my photo sessions.  And when I did find one, I thought the location would make the picture!  I thought that I had to place my subjects in the right place just to make the image perfect!   I would chase the background!

Today, I chase the light!  Don’t get me wrong, I still look for the best locations but I choose it based on the way the light falls on those I am photographing.  I look for that golden light coming through the trees, the flicker of light that makes the image so magical and creates sparkle in the eyes I see through my camera lens.

I returned to this location this past fall to photograph this amazing family and this time I chose to follow the light.  The location was beautiful but it wasn’t the focus of the session.  Instead the focus was on the subjects (mom, dad and kids) and I used the light to make sure that I captured what I wanted.  And this is what I got…

And so the next time you are faced with choosing a location for your portrait session just remember that as long as the photographer chases the light and focuses on you, then whatever you choose will be just right!