How to Find Better Portrait Locations in Your Hometown

Photography Tips  •  Portrait Photography

Finding good portrait backgrounds can be challenging. If you live in a small town or a crowded neighborhood, you might actually feel limited in your options. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you show a bit of enterprising attitude, you can find some pretty interesting backgrounds around your home or right in your neighborhood, as Moose Winans proves:

Find Bright Vibrant Colors

Make a mental note of colorful buildings, doors, walls, etc. that you come across while going around the neighborhood.

These will later serve as backgrounds for your portraits.

Of course, the colors should match the mood of the photo. The yellow in the above picture, for example, creates a bright tone and fun tempo.

Look for Patterns and Textures

Patterns and textures can form really interesting portrait backgrounds. They give your images an interesting look, depending on the background of course.

An ivy wall at the parking lot of a bank gives an unlikely natural look.

Look for Lines and Shapes

Incorporate lines or geometric shapes to frame your subject and/or lead your viewer’s eyes toward the main subject of interest.

Now you have three very useful tips guaranteed to transform your portrait photography no matter where you live.