The Art of Location Scouting
with Emily Bien
Find the PERFECT location every time with Emily’s systematic, step-by-step method!
Learn Emily’s complete location scouting method and session approach, from initial location search all the way to the final edit.
YOU'LL COME AWAY WITH
- The tools for choosing and using locations for successful sessions and gorgeous galleries
- New ways to capitalize on your location's unique features and seasonal changes so that your images really stand out
- The criteria you should use to determine a location's suitability and make choices in a session (including what equipment you use)
- Hand-editing techniques for Lightroom and Photoshop that will transform your photos, from color manipulation to photo merges
This course is for you if...
- You want a step-by-step process to help you find perfect locations that will inspire your creative process
- You have moved, haven't been able to find any great spots in your area, or just want a few awesome new locations to set your work apart
- You want to put together a "sunny plan" and an "overcast plan" for all of your shoots so you are ALWAYS prepared
- You just know you could do more to make the most of the locations around you – but it never turns out the way you envisioned
START YOUR LEARNING PATH
Learn on any device! All class content is organized into simple steps as part of a clear, self-guided pathway inside your private online classroom.
WATCH THE Q&A
Read through Emily's answers to questions asked during the launch event (now concluded) and watch her Q&A video!
COMPLETE THE STEPS
You'll check off each interactive step as you go, from watching the videos to engaging in discussions with your instructor and fellow students.
DOWNLOAD MATERIALS
All class materials are yours to download and keep.
WHAT'S INSIDE YOUR ONLINE CLASSROOM?
Exclusive 117 page eBook
- How to find potential locations, from the ground up
- What to look for in a location – what works and what doesn’t
- How location choice influences the anatomy of a photoshoot and how Emily’s session “framework” provides a solid foundation to stay organized
- What to do when things get challenging in a session; how to prioritize, how to adapt, and how location choice can help you with this!
9 Videos (3 Hours of Footage!)
- Behind-the-scenes at a photoshoot where Emily demonstrates how she plans and executes a session at a brand-new location
- Two Location scouting videos where you’ll join Emily and learn to see potential locations through her eyes
- A video self-critique where Emily reflects on what went well, what she’d do differently, and why
- Three editing videos using lightroom and photoshop where you’ll see how Emily hand-edits her photos from scratch
- Two demonstration videos showing techniques used to find potential locations and how to read the sun position when location scouting
BY THE END OF THIS COURSE,
you’ll be able to build an incredible scouting list using Emily's step-by-step approach – and you'll never look at locations the same way again.
about your presenter
Emily Bien is a photographer and educator based in Suffolk, UK. She shoots lifestyle portraiture and is most drawn to natural spaces, texture, and minimalism. She has photographed hundreds of clients while living in numerous locations around the globe and loves mentoring fellow photographers, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. In 2020 she was accepted as Click Pro Elite and in 2021 was invited to become a Click Photo School presenter.
This course is AMAZING! I have taken MANY courses and this is definitely one of my favorites. I purchased the app that Emily uses for predicting sunrise and sunset locations and times and I am very glad I did. In the videos, she demonstrates how to use it along with lots of tips and useful information. She is an excellent teacher and very thorough. If you are on the fence about this class, take it! You won’t regret it.
Loved this class with Emily. Location scouting is one of the things that I really hate to have to do as a photographer – I have a few locations that I love but I sometimes feel like I lack the ability to really see all the useable spots. Emily’s class really got me thinking about different ways that I could use my locations and add more variety to my galleries. Emily is such a talented artist too – her work is so inspiring. This is a really in-depth class that covers so much more than location scouting, I really do feel refreshed and inspired for taking it and would recommend it to anyone! Thank you so much Emily!
You’re so welcome Abbi! Thank you for your review and your kind words. :)
This course is jam packed with information!! You can tell Emily poured her heart and soul into this course. Location scouting takes up so much time but with Emily’s methods, it will help streamline the process. Im excited to utilize all this useful information this busy season!
Hi Alex! Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy that the course materials came over in this way and that you found them helpful!
I’m a new photographer and soaking up all the information to get my business off the ground. Absolutely can mot wait to make it all the way through the course to improve my location scoutings!
Hi Britney! Thrilled that you have found it helpful so far! Let me know if you have any questions in the forum!
This breakout was a game changer for me! I always struggle with on the spot things, so learning how to plan for a session was awesome, I am an organizer by nature and was doing some of the things Emily suggests in this breakout, but this really helped me put together a cohesive plan. I feel much more confident in the sessions I have planned for this weekend! I really feel confident that I can use my locations to the fullest and come away with a great gallery. You won’t be disappointed in this one!
Thank you, Rachel! I’d love to see how your sessions turn out!
I’m always at a loss of what to look for – I head out and hope for the best. This course has taught me what to look for, and why, Emily talks about the locations, explaining what’s good and not so good, including the types of photos that would work well in the space. I’m looking forward to the next time I go out to find / experiment with a new location.
Thank you for your review Laura! I’m so glad that you’re more confident in your approach to location scouting!
I’m just getting started as a family photographer and I’ve so apprecaited this class! I wasn’t sure at all how to scout locations and then this course popped up and it’s great! Emily goes over how to evaluate potential locations, how to look at and use the light, and so much more. The videos are in-depth and really helpful. I’d highly recommend it!
Hi Aubrey! I’m glad that the class coincided with your new photography business!! Let me know if you have any questions in the forum!
Gosh golly, when I saw this course pop up I thought finally, this is exactly what I need! I was so excited to sign up because every year I dread (and I mean literally dread) the stress of trying to find fresh, new places that tick all of the boxes on everything needed for a stellar location. Well, this class has opened my eyes to a whole host of new possibilities. It has helped me better hone in on what I need to focus on when location scouting as well as how to look for the less obvious places. I feel recharged in my ever present pursuit of finding great spots. If you are on the fence of whether to invest in this class – do it!
I’m so grateful for your review and thrilled that you have found the methods so helpful! :)
Went in feeling like I might get a few tips for location scouting but left with sooo much more! Emily had PACKED this session with invaluable information and BTS footage to actually put her words into action! 10/10 recommended!
Hi Raelynn! I’m so glad you gained so much from the course! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! :)
This course is much more than its name describes! Emily has packed brilliantly a method to scout locations, but also gives so much more information about lots of details to take into consideration during a session.This course has made me see the potential locations in a much different way. It has opened my eyes to a new way of valuing a nice place, seeing further from its beauty. Highly recommendable course for any photographer!!!
Hi Patri! Thank you for taking the time to post a review. I’m pleased that you found the course helpful!
Emily is a natural teacher! I’m so glad to have this course. I’m a list-maker by nature, so her specific step-by-step method to finding & evaluating locations was very helpful to me. And all the bonus videos were wonderful for my visual learning style! Thank you so much Emily for sharing your valuable knowledge. I’ll be using this method for the rest of my photography journey!
Hi Lerin! Thank you for your review. It means so much that the course has helped you in this way.
This course is filled with fantastic information on finding new locations. I have really enjoyed learning Emily’s method of location scouting. I have loved the videos and learning her thought process on why a location works and doesn’t work…she is so thorough in her explanations. I tend to see a pretty background and use it without much thought. Then I wonder why I’m disappointed with the outcome. Learning Emily’s approach will help me put more thought into my locations.
Hi Karen! Thank you for your review! I’m so glad that you found the course content to be so valuable. :)
THIS is the course that I NEEDED when I first started my photography business!!! So many practical, actionable tips – a strategy for not only scouting your location and making sure your session will be successful but also a workflow during the session. Plus, Emily’s gorgeous images provide plenty of inspiration! This could also be titled, “How to Shoot a Successful Session.” It’s so much more than location scouting!
Hi Amanda! I’m so glad you’ve found the materials helpful and thank you for your kind words!
We are a military family and relocate every few years. When we found ourselves in Northern Virginia I quickly got overwhelmed with finding new locations. I was used to more open space and easy to find session locations. I’m not even half way through the course but Emily’s insight on location scouting has been priceless. Thanks to this course I am going into the Fall season more confident with my location options. Thank you so much for this course!!
I can’t tell you how happy this makes me! I hope you have a wonderful fall season and find some amazing locations to add to your list!
I am just so impressed with how much Emily has packed into this course. It’s evident that she truly cares about the experience of her students, and has utilized everything in her tool-belt to provide a detailed, interesting, and incredibly helpful lesson, every time. My favorite part (so far) has been the behind the scenes footage. As a hobby photographer who has only just started taking client work, I often have imposter syndrome. But to see such a professional (and such an artist) at work, and to have her DESCRIBE her work in such detail, at least gives me something to reach for! I don’t think I will ever attain her level of planning before a session, and envisioning every possibility, but she makes it quite clear that much of what drives her is her own personal preference and working style. I honestly just finished the behind-the-scenes video, and just HAD to post my review before finishing the course. I look forward to the rest of the content, and to learning even more than I already have, which is a lot!
Hi Tyler! I’m so glad that you have found such value in the course content! I’m a planner for sure, and realize it’s not for everyone. My hope was that everyone would be able to take something from the course, regardless of their preferences. I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! Let me know if you have any questions in the course forum.
I am excited about this course! Location is always a challenge. Looking forward to seeing on site from a different perspective.
Hi Stephanie! I’m glad you’re excited about the course! Let me know if you have any questions in the course forum!
This course is more than just a location scouting course, it helps so much with lighting and trying to help read a landscape and the light in that particular location. It is particularly helpful in trying to understand how a location will work in different lighting situations and positioning clients to optimise the different light available. A lot of thought has gone into this course and Emily is active in the forum, and her methodical approach to location scouting is really well done. I also love how she explains the sun seeker app, now I have had a demonstration into how to use it, I want it too. If you still find light and settings daunting then this a go a to course.
Hi Angela! Thank you for your review. I’m so pleased that you are finding the course helpful! Let me know if you have any questions in the class forum!
This course is packed with practical information you can implement immediately! I spend so much time location scouting and now that I have a framework I feel I can be more efficient in this process. The PDF is great and the videos are so helpful as you get to hear her thought process as she plans out an actual session. Don’t hesitate to purchase this course- it is an amazing value!
Hi Megan! Thank you for your kind words. I’m so glad you’ve found the course useful and that the behind-the-scenes footage was helpful for you!
I just finished reading through Emily’s PDF and I’m so glad I got this breakout! She has gone through so much information that I was able to understand why some of my favorite locations have been a challenge for me and how to make them work for me better. I had some general concepts of what to look for in locations, but Emily has broken down what to look for, what areas work best at different points in the session, and how to prepare yourself with changes in weather or other unpredictable circumstances. This course is great if you are struggling with locations or finding new ones that work for your sessions. I often see beautiful locations but Emily has helped me to see what works and what doesn’t for client sessions.
Thank you for your thoughtful review!! I’m so glad you found so much value in the course and feel now feel more prepared. :)
This is exactly what I needed, Thank you so much!
Hi Kay! You’re so welcome! Please let me know if you have any questions in the class forum! Happy to help!
Location scouting has often been a challenge for me; so when I saw this course I absolutely had to jump in and take it. I’ve often felt overwhelmed trying to find places to photograph that provide for beautiful backdrops; but are also accessible to clients. Emily gives you all the information you need to help you confidently find locations that work well for you and your clients. I’ve taken a few Click Photo School courses and this truly stands out with how much valuable info and practical tips she provides. I can’t wait to start putting all this great knowledge into practice. I highly recommend this course!
Hi Erin! I’m so happy you have found such value in the course. I can’t wait to see what new locations you find and how you start utilizing your current locations to their fullest! Thank you for the review!
As a military spouse who relocates often, I have struggled with finding new locations in new places. The hunt can be frustrating, time consuming, and feel fruitless. This course and Emily’s approach to scouting and selecting locations helped me to find locations that work well for me and for my families. I’m no longer reliant on the locations that are crowded with other photographers… or even many other people, and that helps to fuel my creativity. If you want help finding locations that suit YOU and your style, look no further. Absolutely recommend.
Hi Mary! Thank you for your kind words! The hunt can be SO frustrating… I’m glad that my process has helped make it feel more manageable for you.
You can really tell that Emily is a talented artist when it comes to lighting and locations! She gives a number of good and practical tips for me to use next time I’m out location scouting. The way she describes why certain types of locations work is clear and easy to follow. There was so much more content than I originally thought, location scouting is just the starting point!! Her course will help you pinpoint the best locations and feel confident during your sessions. I would highly recommend this course for any photographer!
Hi Kyle! Thank you for your review and for your kind words! I tried to put as much as possible into the course, so I’m really glad it exceeded your expectations! Thanks again. :)
I learned so much from Emily Bien’s online course about location scouting. The behind-the-scenes footage and examples in the online book portion were so perfect to help me understand the concepts. Emily is clear, knowledgable, and fun to listen to and watch. The videos and coursework are high caliber- polished and easy to follow. I feel much more confident about my location scouting and the pointers (and definitely the checklist) will save me loads of time.
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your review! I wanted to include lots of ‘behind-the-scenes’ footage to help to convey the ideas better. I’m so glad you found it helpful and that you feel more confident in your process!
If you’re struggling to find new locations, this course is for you! Emily’s course helped open my eyes not only to new locations, but also to new possibilities within locations I was already using. Thanks to this course I was able to refresh my location options in an organized and efficient way that minimized the amount of time I had to take away from my other business tasks. Highly recommended!!
Hi Allison! I’m so happy that you have found the course useful and that it’s helped you feel more organized in your approach. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!