Top Tips for Location Scouting: Top 4 Photo Shoot & Video Shoot Challenges!

I love shooting on location! In fact, last week’s blog focused on the seven reasons why you should consider organizing your next photo shoot or video shoot on location! But in all honesty, there are times when it can be really challenging.

So this week, I’m going to focus on some of the issues you should consider when deciding whether or not to book your photo shoot or video shoot at a venue! Specifically, weather, noise, the general public and cost. Watch the vlog below or read the rest of the blog!

https://youtu.be/tRjjWhdP3Zg

Challenge #1 – Weather

If you’re planning an outdoor shoot, always try to check the weather a few weeks in advance to determine if it makes sense to go on location. While the monthly forecast won’t provide information on the exact weather conditions you will encounter, it’s good to have an general idea of what to expect and how to prepare.

Case in point: In 2018, I filmed several of my travel show episodes in and around Ottawa, Canada. I planned to film a few of the episodes outdoors, but three weeks before I was scheduled to travel, I noticed that there was an extreme weather warning in the region. I’d gotten frostbite while ice fishing in Canada (true story), so I knew that a weather warning was no joke!

I started preparing, and by the time I boarded the plane with my crew, we were fully equipped with warm clothes and boots, hand warmers, ski masks, and more. We also had enough time to develop strategies to ensure that we didn’t ruin our expensive equipment in the below freezing weather. We all came back with our fingers, toes, and camera equipment intact!

Challenge #2 – Noise

In addition to preparing for the weather, if you’re planning a video shoot, think about whether or not you need a quiet space. If people are talking, there’s traffic outside or planes are flying overhead, will the noise negatively impact the shoot? If so, you may want to consider shooting in a studio or finding a location that is very, very, very quiet.

But how will you know if it’s quiet? You may have to visit the location on the same day and at the same time as when you plan to film. If you can’t visit the space, you may need to ask the location manager or even people on social media (e.g., Yelp, Instagram or Facebook) to share useful information about the sound levels.

Here’s another example to illustrate this point. I recently launched a free online course on location scouting (Yay!). Originally, I planned to film on location to illustrate different types of spaces. Makes sense, right? I considered the goals of the course and conducted extensive research into many different venues. Unfortunately, all of the locations that really fit with the message I wanted to communicate were too loud or too distracting (and in a few cases, too expensive). To ensure that the students received the actionable information, the space needed to be quiet, with minimal distractions. For the purposes of the course, it didn’t make sense to film on location, so I filmed in a studio. I weighed the location pros and cons, and in this case the cons won! And that’s okay.

Challenge #3 – The Public

Related to the noise challenge is the general public. If you’ve ever taken pictures in public or watched a news anchor reporting from outside the studio, you’ll know that photo bombers are alive and well. There’s (almost) always some random stranger who wants to be featured in your picture or your video.

But, having random people in your video or photo doesn’t have to be a big deal. In fact, having people in the background may add energy and life to your content. However, you do want to make sure that there are no legal concerns (e.g., images of minors). Check with your lawyer to see if there are any issues, and take lawyer-reviewed personal appearance releases with you just in case!

Challenge #4 – Cost

Since I mentioned expensive locations in passing, let’s briefly talk about cost. A venue’s cost is sometimes THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE to shooting on location. Some locations require you to pay a huge fee, while others require you to get film production insurance, which can cost thousands of dollars(!!!). Please ensure that you consider the cost before deciding whether or not to shoot on location. But, please stay tuned, as I plan to share strategies for how NOT to pay for a location. It’s all legal. It’s just involves highlighting the benefits. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest, where I’ll share more info in the coming weeks!

Next Steps

These four challenges can complicate your shoot, so it’s important to think about how you might address them before you decide to shoot on location. If the cons outweigh the pros, then you may want to film in a studio. However, if you’ve done your research and decided that finding a location outweighs the challenges, then great! It’s time to start searching for the perfect location.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to find stunning locations for your next photo shoot or video shoot, then check out my FREE online course on Skillshare: Top Tips for Location Scouting. Spend just 15 minutes learning how to plan strategically for an on-location shoot, plus learn how to find great venues! Just use this link: https://skl.sh/36fZ4yI

And please remember to use the subscription box below to subscribe to this blog, so you will receive a notification when I post the next one! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest, where I’ll take you from searching for the perfect location to what to do after the shoot ends…plus everything in between!