Location Guide
Picking the perfect location is essential for creating a gallery you will love! It's important to consider your wardrobe, what will coordinate well with your decor if you plan to hang print products on the wall, your personality, and what is best for the season and weather. Scroll down for examples I have used in the past and let me know which type you like! I'll guide you from there to pick the perfect specific setting for your session! If you already have a specific location in mind, just let me know and I'll make sure it's a good fit ahead of time!
Light Grassy Fields
This is my recommended and "go to" location for most outdoor sessions if you want a timeless, nature centered location. It is perfect for families, couples, kid milestones, headshots, and seniors. Scroll down or click here to see examples of past sessions done at this location! It is located in South East Bartlesville and has consistent beautiful light in every season. There are a variety of spots within the location including fields, trees, paths, a small lake and horses.
Examples of the Light Grassy Fields in Spring and Summer
Examples of the Light Grassy Fields in Fall
Examples of the Light Grassy Fields with Evergreens in Winter
Private Country Farm Property
I have permission to use this property located about 10-15 minutes South of Bartlesville. It has a variety of paths, trees, fields, fences, barns, and horses. I reccomend it for families, seniors, and couples.
Indoor Natural Light Lifestyle Session at Client's Home
I can come to your home for any kind of lifestyle type session if your home has enough natural light and neutral walls/spaces! Best for newborn lifestyle and family lifestyle sessions. See more examples here.
Indoor Natural Light Studio Space
I have a space in downtown Bartlesville that I rent by the hour for these types of sessions. This location is perfect for newborns, baby/toddler milestones, studio style headshots, and when needed during inclement weather. Natural light studio sessions will incur a small additional fee (currently $25/hr). See more examples of my natural light studio work here!
Your Property or Another Private Residence
Various Private Properties and Hillcrest Country Club in Summer and Winter Are Shown
Pathfinder Bridge and Adjacent Field at Lee Lake
One or both can be used during a session. However, the bridge can be a safety hazard for small children so it may not be the best for families with small children or children who run. The adjacent field is great for morning sessions at sunrise because of its direction to the sun. Sessions can be done at the location from May through October only.
Pathfinder Bridge at Lee Lake
Field by Lee Lake - Direction of Light is Perfect for Morning Sessions
Downtown Bartlesville
A variety of unique spots within the downtown area are within close walking or driving distance and can be used during your session. Recommended for Seniors, Couples, and select family sessions (wardrobe style and age of kids will play a factor when scheduling families). See all of my downtown Bartlesville sessions here!
Various Spots Downtown
Various Spots Downtown
Train Depot
Conoco Plaza
Frank Phillips Mansion
This unique location has a lot of variety in one small area with both its historical architecture and beautiful landscaping and flowers for much of the year. They also have beautiful Christmas decorations beginning the week of Thanksgiving. It is available free of charge as long as they are not holding an event. See all of my Frank Phillips Mansion sessions here!
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Campus - OKWU
Because of the unique architecture, more formal style, and the teal colored accents at this location, I suggest sticking with a dressier wardrobe style and more neutral colored wardrobe choices. It is best suited best for seniors, couples/anniversary, and religious milestone sessions. See all of my previous OKWU sessions here!
Jo Allyn Lowe Park - Duck Pond
No Longer Recommended
Though the Duck Pond is a beautiful park to walk around in and enjoy, I no longer recommend doing my sessions there. The lighting is just not optimal for portraits. The numerous tall dark tree trunks make the lighting uneven and dark and the harsh slope of the land makes the light disappear very quickly as you approach sunset. In addition, the strong colors of the leaves and trees can create strange color casts in the images. I prefer the lighting and look of Fall colors in the Light Grassy Field I use because it has fewer trees and no dark tree trunks, thus providing unobstructed, even bright light (see examples near top of this page). I have used the Duck Pond Cabin for a cute Harry Potter Themed First Birthday Session but I wouldn't recommend the cabin alone for a family session. If you really want to incorporate the vibrant fall leaves at the Duck Pond when they are at their peak (usually October through beginning of November) then we can take a few family or couple pictures at the start of your session and then move to the Light Grassy Fields for the rest of the session since it is a quick drive between locations.