Things to Keep in Mind When Shooting Outdoors

It's not winter yet, which means shooting outdoors is still acceptable without actually freezing to the bone! I've never been much of a studio shooter, but rather a seeker of beautiful natural and urban sights and the soft light that lingers just for a fleeting moment before fading away. There are some things to keep in mind when shooting outdoors though, especially if you're not so close to civilization!

1. DOES SOMEBODY OWN THE PLACE Okay, for the most part, the answer will be yes. There are woods, meadows and fields still in somebody's ownership that have passed on through generations, but the owner hardly (if ever) visits them. Don't let me start on abandoned houses. Sometimes there's nobody around, but there could be a homeless person inside. I never wander these places alone, but rather have somebody come with me, just to be safe. It's best to do a little research before shooting and know how to handle the situation if the owner/safe keeper approaches you grim-faced. I got in that kind of situation twice and both times I said I didn't know about the owner and that I was doing a series of works for university. You can modify that and say you're an artist working on a project. Just take a stance and believe in your own words, but don't be assertive; it's better to quickly apologize and leave than get caught up in a row.

2. HAVE A FULLY CHARGED PHONE This is SO important. In any case of emergency, a cell phone is a must have! Whenever I'm shooting in the woods alone, I always have my cell phone with me. Not to freak you out, but the possibility of getting bitten by a snake is real.

3. NICER TOGETHER Whenever possible, especially while exploring unknown places, it's best to have somebody with you to keep you company. I was shooting with my model once and two guys came who started hollering stupid things to her. She immediately called her boyfriend who wasn't that far away to come over and, luckily, the guys retreated almost as soon as she dialed the number. Lesson learnt (although I don't think they have learnt not to behave like scumbags)!

About the author Hi! I'm Isabella and I'm a photographer, blogger and applied arts graduate. I love spending my time creatively, or watching movies, drinking tea, playing with my cats and hanging out with friends. Find me here isabellabubola.com or on Facebook and say hello!