Photography Location Scouting using MapAPic

Photography Location Scouting

Photography location scouting for an upcoming shoot or meetup is no easy task. It requires prior research, personal time for exploration and gas for driving around. Oh, and you have to allow time to photograph because this is what photographers do, right? These things take time. I have started using an app called MapAPic for photography location scouting. It helps me when I am in Washington DC. I tried this app out by using MapAPic on U Street in DC recently.

Washington DC’s U Street

Washington DC’s U Street is the area I am currently researching for an upcoming meetup in September. U Street is a popular street close to Chinatown with a gritty and vibrant vibe. It is a must-visit place for street and mural photography. Famous DC murals are all along this historic route. There is so much documented about the history of this area. If you like history, this is a good place to walk around and read the historical reference markers. For reference to a larger collection of DC murals, try murals DC project archives. For U Street mural information, I recommend murals DC project archives for U Street. U Street is worth investing a few hours of exploration time on foot. Check out the meetup details if you are interested in going with a group.

MapAPic

MapAPic makes photography location scouting easier. This app pins the location and saves them in the app’s database in a list format for viewing later. It is configurable for Miles or Kilometers. Saving locations along a route or destination is as fast as you can snap a pic using your phone and typing the label for the location. The sun insights feature provides information for golden hour, evening blue hour and more. This is a nice feature for photographers although I have not used it. Saving the locations is faster than trying to write notes down while you are walking or driving. I suggest looking deeper into the GPS features and getting to know this app better. Map feature provides a nice map built into the app. 

Conclusion

MapAPic is a useful tool for photography location scouting. I like the app. It definitely helps remind me where I was and how to get back there. How many times have you told yourself that you would like to remember to come back to a specific location another time? Then, if you are like me, you forget the location. The app works great for keeping this information for later.

Today, I relied heavily on MapAPic for photography location scouting along U Street area in DC. In case you are wondering, I have absolutely no affiliation with MapAPic. I am just sharing tips and information I learn along my journey as a photographer. Here are a few images I took this morning on the location scout.

I am curious about what tool you are using for location scouting. Please provide your comments and feedback.

Contact Pamela Kay

My name is Pamela Kay. I am a lifestyle photographer, empowering busy entrepreneurs, bloggers, and small business owners with beautiful images for marketing and social platforms. I recommend trying a single photography session which will provide 30 days of professional content. Let images on your social platforms tell the story of you, your brand, your story– your way! Sign up for regular sessions at discounted rates, and enjoy your own professional photography services to help your business grow its following.

I also enjoy photographing couples who are planning to get married but may not be budgeting for a large, traditional wedding, and prefer a more intimate photography session to capture their story– their way!

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