I am going to give you 5 tips for shooting portrait sessions in crowded places. As a photographer on Prince Edward Island, a top travel destination, it can be difficult at times because there are always tourists exploring the beauties of the Island. That being said, a lot of weddings and family sessions are in highly populated areas such a National Parks, downtown Charlottetown, or Victoria Park. There is a reason that they are always crowded and that’s because they are gorgeous!! Here are a few tips that I use when shooting in crowded places.

Tip #1 – Shoot as sunrise

If possible, shoot during a time when not many people are around. This may mean that you have to get up really early and do a sunrise shoot or maybe right before sunset. In the summer, the sunsets close to 9:30pm so a lot of people are already at home getting ready to turn in for the night.

Tip #2 – Angles

Adjust your angles. If you go really low and shoot up at your subjects or if you go really high and shoot down at your subjects, you will avoid the spaces around them and therefore any passersby.

Tip #3 – Placement

Another option would be to place your subjects in a location where others can’t go behind them or walk far enough that there are minimal people. For example, at a beach, you will be required to walk a little further but it will be worth it to go beyond those beach goers. It will almost make it feel like you are there alone.

Tip #4 – Patience

Are neither of those things are an option for you? You will need patience and/or authority. If you are in a time sensitive session like a wedding, you may have to ask people to wait until you get the shots you need before letting them pass behind your subjects. If it’s not time sensitive, then you can just chat with your subjects and have them ready for when there is a lull in people behind them.

Tip #5 – Composition

IF you absolutely can’t remove someone from the background of your shot, try to have them off to the side of the frame by themselves so that you can remove them in post production more easily.

Another great post with photography tips is “How to Achieve a Blurry Background in Your Photos“.

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P.S.S If you ever plan on making a trip to PEI, please reach out to me and I can help you plan an amazing trip here!!