I’ve been in a bit of a grump lately… I have come to realize that if I don’t take pictures I’m excited about for a few days, I start with the “woe is me” thoughts.  Those don’t help anybody!

So, I decided I needed to make a commitment to stop moping, get off my arse,  and go shoot!  I thought of an idea that ultimately led to an even better idea (if I do say so myself!)

My 1st thought was to go to drive around, location scout, and take pictures to build up a library of location ideas.  The location isn’t everything, but it is absolutely an integral part of how the shoot will look in the end.  I am so lucky to live in Seattle~a beautiful city, that has endless options for amazing pictures…

My 2nd thought came as I was driving to a well known park in West Seattle-Lincoln Park.  I thought I would start in my neck of the woods, in the hopes that maaaaaybe I could lure people over here to do some shots!  Before I moved to West Seattle 2 years ago, all I knew was the softball fields and beach volleyball courts down on Alki.  That was my only reason for going over the bridge…play sports and then leave.  I really had no idea how beautiful West Seattle was.  I’m still learning all the nooks and crannies, which again leads me back to my 2nd thought (me ramble off on a tangent?  No!).  As I was driving to Lincoln Park, I rubbernecked at the sight of an adorable P-Patch.  What a perfect location for a photo shoot!  Flowers all around, that change with the seasons!  And there was born my 2nd idea.  Go find a traditional “Landmark Location”, shoot some shots, and then find an obscure location(s) near by that are off the beaten path that won’t be crowded with a bunch of people nor been featured in 800 other photo shoots. Chicken/Egg….doesn’t matter which comes first :).

Now…check out the adorable P-Patch.  It was even BETTER than I had expected!

I expected a bunch of beautiful flowers and plants, but I didn’t expect all the fun winding paths.  L-O-V-E!!

All the tall grass… And a PICNIC TABLE???

I love these next flowers/plants/whatever they are…”Which way did she go?”….”That way.”, “No, THAT way”  🙂

Then at the top of one of the paths, I came upon this clearing at the top that overlooked the water!  Are you kidding me???

Then a bridge to another set of stairs that came out onto a totally cool alley.  I couldn’t have dreamed this place up!

Going to Lincoln Park after this was a little anticlimactic, which is saying a lot.  Lincoln Park is beautiful….

So, for my 1st installment of Location Scouting…I’m pretty happy!  And officially out of my funk 🙂

p.s. Lincoln Park is HUGE.  I only got about 20 minutes in before I realized I didn’t have any sunscreen on…and wondered if I forgot my deodorant too… 🙁  Needless to say, I headed home :}  More another day!