How Do I Choose Places to Photograph?

People often ask me, “How do you decide where to go to photograph?” The answer isn’t always straightforward, because sometimes the best photographs come from places I didn’t even plan on shooting. But I’ll share a little about how I approach it.

Following What Draws Me

For me, the water has always been magnetic. Whether it’s the Long Island Sound or the ocean, I find myself drawn to the shoreline. That’s where I’ll head first if I’m unsure where to go. There’s something about the way the light shifts over the horizon, or the way calm water can suddenly turn dramatic, that keeps me coming back.

Research Meets Curiosity

That said, I don’t just wander aimlessly. I use maps, satellite images, and even apps to see how the land meets the water or where the sun will rise and set. Sometimes I’ll stumble across a spot on Google Earth and think, “I have to see what this looks like in person.” But more often than not, curiosity pushes me to drive a little farther down a road I’ve never taken or walk a trail just to see what’s around the bend.

Light as the Decider

The real deciding factor, though, is light. I’ve gone back to the same harbor or bluff multiple times just to catch it in different conditions. One evening it might be calm, with a pastel sunset washing everything in pink. Another time, a storm might roll through, and suddenly the sky looks like it’s on fire. The place is the same, but the light tells an entirely different story.

Close to Home Surprises

Some of my favorite photographs came from places practically in my backyard. There have been evenings where I wasn’t planning to shoot at all, but I looked out the window, saw the sky exploding with color, and grabbed my camera to head down the street. Those spontaneous moments often turn out better than the carefully planned trips.

Staying Open

I’ve learned that choosing a place to photograph is part planning and part surrender. I can pick a location, but once I’m there, I try to let the landscape guide me. Sometimes the best shot isn’t the one I envisioned—it’s the one I only notice because I slowed down and paid attention.

Closing Thought

In the end, I choose places to photograph the same way I choose where to walk or where to sit and think: I go where I feel connected. That connection—whether it’s with water, light, or just a fleeting moment—always finds its way into the final image.