Whenever you will contact me for scheduling a photo session, I will propose to you a few locations that are perfect for a photo shoot in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Just in case I will share a link here to my favourite spots on the map in case you still didn’t check them out: Choosing a perfect location for your photo session in Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Family Photographer I have been shooting in those locations many times and I know exactly what to expect from them (how the sun sets; if it is a good fit for your family depending on your child age, etc).
In case you have been dreaming of another location (different from a beach, desert or a park) below you will find a few points to consider.
LIGHT
Good natural light is on top of my list. When choosing a location I always want to check where the sun will be setting and if there is any obstruction to visibility of sunset. I really love to shoot back light, that's why I want to make sure there will be a beautiful background with the sunset behind my models.
PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT
Not many of my clients know that most public places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai require a photography permit. Sometimes it can be a real pain to get one as it is not always very clear who issues such a permit and you can count on security to inform you that “it is not allowed to photograph” if they see you with a professionall camera. Better safe than sorry - check out the rules beforehand and be ready that some places might ask for a fee.
CROWDS
There is nothing worse than people popping up in the frame and not only destroying the background but also the atmosphere during the shoot. That is why I love to have photo sessions in the desert - I know no one will disturb us and we can create an intimate atmosphere resulting in beautifully captured memories. If you find a new location observe how many people you see around and at what time of the day. Even if the location might be crowded at certain times it is possible that you don’t find sooo many people around sunrise for example. Explore your location at different hours and you might be positively surprised.
SAFETY
Whenever finding a new interesting spot for a photo shoot I want to make sure it is a safe place for your children and I ask myself if I would bring my own kids to this place. You need to consider that there shouldn't be any busy street close by or any other possible hazards for a baby.
I hope these few tips will give you some perspective on what to look out for when searching for a perfect location.
I wanted to share here a few moments captured during a photo session gifted to this beautiful family. When I contacted T. we were discussing possible locations and we decided to meet in a place that was off my beaten track. I think the results were amazing as we could create memories in a place that is unique to UAE landscape - mangroves.
