6 perfect photo locations that are right in front of you

I get asked a lot on how I find my photo spots. I live in an old college town that straddles the line between modern and historic, bustling and rural, so the juxtaposition of all these elements helps provide different opportunities.

However, some of my favorite places to take outfit photos are considered everyday occurrences --- places that seem very ordinary until they're looked at closely through a camera.

So here, I present to you my favorite photo locations, for those days when your usual spot just isn't inspiring you, or when the weather or lighting has made that place impossible to take photos of. Some of these places are easier to get to than you think:

1) The woods.

 Let's go ahead and get this one out of the way, since it's probably one of my most used places. I love going into a forest because it's usually very beautiful, scenic and can add elements of outdoorsy-ness and mystery to any photo. Bonus: You might start channeling your inner Ansel Adams and develop an interest in wildlife photography.

2) Parking decks.

What's great about this place? They're a dime a dozen just about anywhere, so you probably won't have to trek too far to get to one (you might even be parked in one right now). Parking decks, particularly the top floor of one, offer beautiful views of the sky and the street, and the clean, neutral lines can be complements to what you're wearing. Bonus: the top floor of a parking deck is usually very secluded, so you can privately take your photos.

3) Farms/rustic areas.

In our fast-paced modern world of iPads and twitter, sometimes it's just really nice to turn down the scenic route and enjoy the country.  Some parts of my state are really rural, so it's fun to leave my bustling town and go play near a farm and take outfit photos (see evidence in my farm park photos here). Rustic areas such as farms, fields and orchards are not only exciting to visit, but they're visually interesting. Go find an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, mountain view now --- fall is one of the best times to go visit because of the beautiful colors.

4) Near bodies of water.

As humans, we're naturally drawn to sources of water. It's a place of action and renewal. As a photo spot, the natural colors and geometric lines can offer beautiful composition in your shots. Be it stream or lake, pool or sea, have fun taking photos near the water. And don't forget to visit repeatedly -- seasonal changes to the water can offer lots of visual interest whether it's summer or winter.

5) Historical sites.

 Every town has that nugget of information that puts it on the map, whether it's a battlefield, an old factory or a 200-foot statue of a peanut. These historic milestones and quirks are what make towns unique, and they are interesting to document in photographs (outfit-related or not). And history doesn't have to be stuffy, either: my photo above was taken at an old church steeple where REM played their first-ever show more than 30 years ago.

6) Railroad tracks.

Oh, railroad tracks. They're practically runways when you think about it. Manmade, industrial runways. Just be careful and use your judgment: Try to use a part of the track that's in a safe part of town, and don't actually be on it when a train's a-coming.

And, bonus! Here are three more to consider:
- playgrounds
- near busy streets
- old cemeteries


Spill: What's your favorite place to take photos, and why?

Earlier:
[I'm a poser, baby: 7 steps for posing naturally in photos]
[How to take outfit photos when you're uninspired]

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