Jeff City Self Portrait Photography Session

I always scout locations before holding clients’ photography sessions when I can. Scouting areas in advance is a great way to track the sun and find frames that add interest to photos. When a client asked about photography locations in Jeff City, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to check out a city that’s so close to my home base Columbia, Missouri.

The original plan was to meet with a model, but with limited time to prep and a weekend deadline we were unable to make a last minute portrait or couples shoot happen. Still wanting to enjoy a couple hours of creativity and fresh air, I grabbed my tripod, threw an extra outfit in my car and just WENT for it. I started just down the road from the Missouri’s capitol building.

Unused to being on the other side of the lens, I was a little nervous beforehand. After a few self-timed shots I felt more comfortable and started to loosen up. These photos are in chronological order. Take note of how I progressively look more and more relaxed. This how it tends to go with clients as well! Always gotta give yourself and your clients some time to feel it out and warm up!

I unfortunately didn’t have enough time to walk around as much as I would have liked and decided I needed to prioritize grabbing a couple of photos in the heart of Central Missouri.

Unfortunately, my tripod was a little limiting. I would kill to get some close up shots of a couple on these steps. I grabbed the shot above from my car window before I drove away to head toward the Missouri River.

I arrived with limited time, but was still able to take advantage of the warm glowy sunlight. I didn’t have time to stay through the rest of golden hour AND through blue hour, but I will definitely be back for more photos at this prime photography location in central Missouri.

I struggled with my tripod for a second, but was able to get the shot I wanted. Trying to line myself up just right was incredibly challenging - it’s much easier from the other side of the lens. I look forward to shooting with models or clients here in the future so I have more control over the framing effect of the bridge.

I had a lot of fun playing with color, depth, symmetry and framing. I could have stayed all evening, but knew I needed to end my work day and come home to my little family. I drove by some industrial looking areas on the way out that I will definitely be inspecting in the future. Perhaps I’ll go explore more next week! Anywho, that’s all for now! I hope you enjoyed the read. Thanks for checking out my work! Feel free to stick around and peruse my site! I aim to make it a more playful and welcoming place every day.