I’m a terrible blogger, because what I’d really rather do is knit or paint or talk about F1 racing (my latest obsession) to anyone who will listen. It helps motivate me to have a system in place, so my current plan is to share a series of posts answering the most common questions I receive. The first among them: “Where should we shoot?”

There are so many great locations in our area, and the ones you choose really depend on what your vision for the session is. Do you want beautiful views, open fields, and pretty wildflowers? Or do you love the look of a more manicured park lawn, a pretty garden path, or maybe even an urban background with buildings and lights? What about a creek or a lake or the river? Maybe you’re even up for shooting at home, which can make your photos especially meaningful.

I think it helps to see some real life examples of these places in photos, because what you see with your eyes is not necessarily what I see through my lens. So let’s look at some popular NRV spots and you can compare them and say, “Yes, Natalie, that’s exactly what I’d like to have,” and then we’ll make it happen.

I’m going to start with one of my favorite spots on the Virginia Tech campus, the Hahn Horticultural Garden (usually just called “The Hahn” by locals in the know). The Hahn garden is pretty all spring, summer, and fall, with so many different colored plants coming into bloom as the seasons progress. It has paved walkways and close parking, which makes it easily accessible. Although the forested portion can be quite dark, when the light hits it just right… well, it can be magical.