Photo Session Location Scouting/Maui Couples Photography Session: Kim & TJ (part 2)

Maui Couples Photography Session

Last month I wrote a blog post all about my trip to Maui, Hawaii (read that post here) with my husband Keith and our friends Kim and TJ. In today’s blog post I will be sharing photos from the photo session I had with them there, as well as the method I use to find amazing session locations wherever I go! 

For the first location of the session, we drove to a forest we had discovered earlier on the trip when we went snorkeling, and as soon as I saw it I knew we had to come back for photos! From the giant Monkeypod trees creating a natural canopy to the winding trails to the vines hanging like curtains from the treetops, walking through that forest truly feels like walking through a fairytale. 

For the second location, we headed to the beach! My goal with photography is that when you look at one of my photos, you’ll be able to feel what it was like to be in that place at that moment. When I look at these photos, I can definitely feel the sand in between my toes, taste the salty ocean spray, smell the breeze as it tosses my hair around, hear the crashing of the waves, and feel the warm sun on my skin. 

How I Scout for Photo Session Locations

Something that I do not usually talk (or write) about is my process for scouting locations for photo sessions. But today I’ll be sharing all about it, because I believe it is an important topic that goes way beyond finding pretty places to take pictures. So first, let me share with you my heart behind this subject, and then I’ll share with you my process. 

As a photographer who cares deeply about protecting the Earth, I very rarely share the exact locations of my photo sessions. I’ve seen photos of places before and after they became “Instagram famous”, and it’s sad to see the destruction that can be done by people who do not know or do not follow the principles of Leave No Trace – something I talk about and follow with all of my clients. Although I’m definitely very far from having a large social media following or being an influencer, I will always take the responsibility of protecting the beautiful places I have the privilege to photograph in very seriously. 

Okay, now moving on to my process for scouting locations. Aside from just going out on personal adventures and stumbling across a cool spot, there are a few different ways I find locations. Usually I will become aware of a certain location on Instagram, although that is rarely where I get the details about it. After that, I will use Google, Google Maps, AllTrails, and sometimes even Pinterest to find out as much information as I can about it. Is it in a state or national park? Is there a fee required to access or photograph at this location? Where is the best place to park? What do the photos look like from other people who have been there? I will literally toggle back and forth between AllTrails and satellite view on Google Maps to get the most accurate idea of what that location actually looks like. 

Then I will reach out to people asking specific questions about the location. For the styled elopement I shot at The Buffalo National River last year, I literally sent about 20 emails back and forth with a NPS ranger to make sure I found the perfect spot for the photos I wanted. And I’ve also reached out to so many different state park rangers asking questions about permits and fees and specific trails – all the Arkansas State Park rangers have been so helpful to me as I’ve been planning a few different shoots for this summer! Also, for locations out of town, asking the locals is a great way to find beautiful spots. The first location of Kim and TJ’s session in Maui was actually a snorkel recommendation from the guy working at a snorkel gear shop we stopped at. We simply asked him where the best snorkeling was, and he pulled out a map and circled the locations he knew were good that day based on the weather – he even told us what times to visit different locations based on when it usually got busy with tourists.  

If at all possible, I always try to visit a location in person before the session. If it’s too far away for that, I will arrive early and scout as much as possible before my clients arrive. Another thing I’ve loved doing is setting up styled shoots in places that I really want to shoot an elopement. That way I have a portfolio of photos in that location, and I also have experience shooting there and know some of the best places to recommend as locations to any couple who inquires in that location with me. 

I hope you enjoyed these photos of my beautiful friends in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited! And I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some behind the scenes of the way that I run my photography business. As always, no matter where you’re going, do your research and make sure you’re following all the rules of any location – whether you’re just hiking, eloping, or photographing an elopement. 

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” -Wendell Berry

*All my blog posts contain a selection of images that I’ve taken. If you are interested in booking a wedding or session with me, I am more than happy to send you a full gallery upon request!

I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a couples/intimate wedding/elopement photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook to get updates on future blog posts, see sneak peeks of my amazing couples, and so much more! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!

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