Common Mistakes When Picking a Spot for Video Shoots — And How to Avoid Them

Choosing the right location is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in any video production. Whether you’re shooting a corporate brand story, a product demo, a recruitment campaign, or testimonial interviews, your location sets the tone, impacts logistics, and directly influences the final quality of the project.

Yet, decision-makers often underestimate the complexities of selecting a shoot location. As experienced videographers, photographers, and producers at St Louis Locations, we’ve seen firsthand how preventable mistakes can cost time, money, and creative momentum. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common pitfalls — and how working with the right production partner can help you avoid them entirely.

1. Ignoring Sound and Ambient Noise
One of the biggest oversights is choosing visually stunning spots without considering sound. HVAC systems, traffic, echo, construction, and even nature sounds like birds or wind can ruin a shoot.

Tip: Always conduct a site visit and perform a sound check at the same time of day you plan to shoot. Even the most minor ambient noise can become a post-production nightmare, especially for interviews and corporate messaging videos.

2. Underestimating Lighting Challenges
While a location might look beautiful to the naked eye, natural light can shift dramatically over a few hours — or become entirely unworkable if a room has no real lighting control. Shadows, glare, and insufficient lighting can all diminish the quality of your footage.

Tip: Choose a location where lighting can be fully controlled, or ensure that your video crew has access to portable lighting setups. At St Louis Locations, we bring full studio lighting kits to every on-location shoot, ensuring flawless results regardless of the venue’s existing conditions.

3. Overlooking Access and Permissions
Nothing stalls a project faster than realizing too late that a location requires complicated permits, insurance coverage, or is difficult for your crew and talent to access. Narrow staircases, limited parking, or restricted load-in/load-out times can cause major logistical headaches.

Tip: Always verify access logistics early and ask about any necessary permits or fees. A production-ready location should be easy to reach, accessible to your team and equipment, and preferably offer private, controllable spaces.

4. Forgetting About Power Availability
It’s a simple but often forgotten detail: Does your location have sufficient electrical access? Are there enough circuits to handle camera gear, lights, monitors, and other equipment? If not, your crew might be forced into costly and complicated workarounds.

Tip: Always assess power access during your site inspection. If necessary, plan to bring generators, battery solutions, or backup cables to ensure seamless operation.

5. Choosing a Location That Doesn’t Match the Brand or Message
Sometimes decision-makers choose locations based on personal preference rather than brand alignment. A trendy loft might look stylish but could feel disconnected from the polished professionalism a corporate brand requires.

Tip: Your location should reinforce your messaging, not fight against it. Consider the tone, audience, and emotional impact you’re aiming for when selecting your backdrop.

6. Not Planning for Weather Contingencies
If you’re shooting outdoors, never assume the weather will cooperate — even during the “perfect” season. Rain, wind, and lighting shifts can delay or entirely derail outdoor productions.

Tip: Always have an indoor backup plan or a flexible shooting schedule. We often recommend locations that offer both interior and exterior options to maintain creative flexibility.

Why Choosing the Right Partner Matters
At St Louis Locations, we specialize in helping businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies make smart, strategic location decisions for their video and photography projects. With decades of production experience, we understand how to scout, secure, and prepare the ideal space for every type of shoot — whether it’s in a private studio, a corporate environment, or a dramatic outdoor setting.

We are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, offering:

Full-service studio and location video and photography

Expert editing, post-production, and media management

Licensed drone pilots for aerial cinematography — including indoor drone flight

Custom interview studio setups with private, professional lighting and visual design

Specialized prop incorporation to build out sets

Sound and camera operators equipped with the latest technology

Expertise in all file types, styles of media, and accompanying software platforms

The latest Artificial Intelligence tools for optimizing media assets and post-production

Since 1982, St Louis Locations has partnered with countless businesses across the St. Louis region to deliver successful, polished productions that stand out. Whether you need help finding the perfect site or want to maximize an existing one, we have the creative and technical experience to make your next video or photography project seamless — and stunning.

Contact St Louis Locations today to make sure your next location works for you, not against you!

Mike Haller
4501 Mattis Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
stlouislocations@gmail.com
Studio 314-892-1233
Cell 314-913-5626