What does an outdoor portrait photographer love more than soft cloud cover, light wind, perfect temperature, and no rain? Awesome backgrounds.

So….just what makes a background great? Here are the top 3 conditions we like to see when choosing a location:

#1 — It Compliments Your Subject…..

…with Light – Soft backlighting such as green trees bathed in sunshine or light filtering through from behind that adds rim light on hair is something pros seek out. It flatters the subjects’ faces.

An awesome background draws attention TO your subject, not away. In other words, the background remains the background and does not become a distraction for the viewer.

#2 – It adds Subtle Interest…..

…with Texture – A fence line that adds perspective and dimension, a brick wall that entices your viewer to reach out and touch the image or foliage in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors is more engaging than a plain background.

Texture from fall leaves on the ground and weathered barn wood along with softly lit buildings in the distance add subtle interest but not enough to distract from the family in the portrait.

#3 – It Adds to the Story…..

…with Details – The background has just enough details to compliment the subjects’ clothing, pose, and expression becoming part of the story being told from where they are to what they are celebrating to memories being made.

From red brick buildings to barns to split rail fences to colorful foliage to flowing water, Nauvoo has an abundance of beautiful settings for family portraits. One of the many reasons we love photography here. There’s a great background around every corner.