Before we get started, I have a question for you all. What is location scouting? Please share your ideas in the comments section.

Location Scouting Definition

Here’s how I define location scouting. It’s the process of finding a suitable location in which to film or take photos. By ‘suitable,’ I mean that the location chosen helps to emphasize the message of the video or photo. It also helps to communicate the tone of that message. 

For example, if you own an educational services company and want to reach out to parents of students who are struggling in school, would you use a construction site as a location? Probably not, unless the location helps you to illustrate how your company helps those parents to...I don’t know... ” build” educational strategies. I’m being a little bit silly, but you can always get creative and be clever or unconventional. Just be sure that it makes sense, that it’s going to be relevant for your audience, and that even if you don’t say a thing, the location will help the audience to understand your message. It’s not going to distract them or detract from your message.

Location scouting is important, but you may be asking yourself, “why should I shoot on location as opposed to in a studio?”

Well here are a few reasons that may apply to you:

Top 7 Reasons to Shoot on Location

• You can highlight a service you provide or demonstrate a product. Here’s an example. Let’s say you sell camping equipment. It may make sense to film a “how-to” video at a campsite. That way, your clients will better understand when and how to use the product.
• You can also provide a behind-the-scenes view of the product creation process, your business operations or even your personal life (as appropriate). Consumers appreciate authenticity and real connection, so as they learn more about who you are and why you do what you do, a behind-the-scenes look may move them from general customers to supporters or even people who will advocate for you; who will tell their family and friends about you, your brand, your product! 
• Organizing or attending a live event? You know this already, but it’s important to film and take pictures at the event to provide your target audience with valuable information.
• If you always film in a studio, shooting on location can pique your audience’s curiosity. Getting out and about can increase their interest in your brand. 
• In addition, you can use on-location interviews to build credibility by introducing your audience to experts or even satisfied clients who use your product or service.
• When you’re shooting on location, sometimes you happen upon interesting people and situations that you would never encounter in a studio!
• This last point is one of my favorites, and is the primary reason I think you should shoot on location. You can differentiate yourself, your product, service or overall brand from the competition. I’m sure you’ve read the articles about the historic locations around the world that are being “ruined” by social media influencers. In those articles, they talk about how there are so many people filming and photographing the same content in the same places...the content is boring, there’s nothing new. If you can shoot in a new, eye-catching, visually engaging place, your content will stand out. You can reach new customers and set yourself apart from the competition.

Do any of the reasons above describe why you might search for a location? If not, what are some reasons that you might want to try location scouting? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Challenges

Now, I love shooting on location, but it’s also important to consider some of the challenges. If you’re out and about, you may encounter changing weather conditions; that’s happened to me many times. You may encounter noise from traffic or random strangers walking back and forth, and back and forth. People may talk to you while you’re filming or taking pictures. These challenges can complicate your shoot, so it’s important to think about how you might address them before you select a location. 

When I first created this course, I had every intention of filming on location and I created a list of filming locations. I was getting ready to confirm a location, when it hit me. What was “it?” The fact that filming a course like this on location would actually be distracting to the viewers. When I’m filming my travel show, it makes sense to be on location because that’s what the audience wants to see. They want to see where I am, what I’m doing, who I am talking to. But for this course, the audience’s focus - your focus, I hope - is to quickly learn and apply the principles I am sharing. Having a lot of busyness in the background could actually detract from the information I’m trying to communicate.

But let’s say you weigh the pros and cons. You realize that finding a location is appropriate and outweighs the challenges? Then, it’s time to move on to the strategic planning process. But before I move on, I have a question. What’s your biggest location shooting challenge? Please share in the comments section.