7 Mistakes You're Making with Your Best Friend Photoshoot (And How Erie Weather Won't Ruin It)

Look, I get it. You and your bestie (or besties!) have been planning this photoshoot for weeks. You've got matching outfits picked out, you're thinking Presque Isle at sunset, and you're ready to document your friendship for the 'gram. But here's the thing, after years of shooting best friend sessions here in Erie, I've seen some patterns. And not the good kind.

The great news? These mistakes are totally fixable. Even better news? Erie's unpredictable weather doesn't have to ruin your plans. Let's dive into the seven most common mistakes I see (and how to avoid them so your photos actually turn out as amazing as your friendship deserves).

Mistake #1: Matching Instead of Coordinating

I know, I know. You saw that Instagram post where everyone wore white tees and jeans and it looked chef's kiss. But here's the deal: matching is out, coordinating is in.

When everyone wears the exact same thing, you lose individuality, and isn't that what makes your friend group special? Each person brings their own vibe, style, and personality. Your photos should reflect that!

Instead, try this: Pick a color palette (think 2-3 complementary colors) and let everyone choose outfits within that range. One person rocks a rust-colored sweater, another goes with cream and camel tones, someone adds a pop of forest green. Suddenly you've got cohesion and personality.

Pro tip: If you're stuck on outfit coordination, I've got a whole guide dedicated to best friend photoshoot outfits that's literally Pennsylvania (and Erie weather) proof.

Mistake #2: Underestimating Erie Weather (Spoiler: It's Unpredictable)

Listen, if you've lived in Erie for more than five minutes, you know our weather has moods. Lake effect snow in April? Sure. Random thunderstorm on a sunny June day? Why not! Planning your entire shoot around perfect weather is setting yourself up for disappointment.

Here's what actually works:

Have a backup plan. Always. If we're planning Presque Isle beach shots, let's also scout an indoor location or covered area. Downtown Erie has incredible spots, the Warner Theatre area, cute alleys with character, historic buildings with covered porches.

Embrace the weather. Some of my favorite shots have happened in light rain, overcast days, or even snow flurries. Overcast = natural diffused lighting (aka no harsh shadows on your faces). Light drizzle = cozy vibes with umbrellas and genuine laughter. Golden hour after a storm? Magical.

Check the forecast but don't obsess. Look at it 2-3 days before your shoot, not two weeks out. Erie weather forecasts are basically suggestions anyway.

Mistake #3: Shooting at the Wrong Time of Day

Okay, real talk: noon photoshoots are rough. The sun is directly overhead, creating harsh shadows under your eyes and nose (we call them "raccoon eyes" in the biz). Plus, everyone's squinting and sweating. Not cute.

The magic hours are:

• Early morning (think 8-10am in summer, 9-11am in spring/fall)
• Late afternoon/golden hour (1-2 hours before sunset)

In Erie, sunset times vary wildly by season. Summer sunset? You've got until 9pm-ish. Winter? Better wrap up by 5pm. Plan accordingly!

And hey, if you absolutely can't do golden hour because of everyone's schedules, don't sweat it. We can find gorgeous shaded areas, Presque Isle has wooded trails, downtown has buildings creating natural shade, and there are some killer indoor spots that look amazing any time of day.

Mistake #4: Not Scouting Your Location Beforehand

You've seen gorgeous photos at Presque Isle's Sunset Point and figured you'd just show up and magic would happen. Then you arrive and realize there are 47 other people with the same idea, plus a wedding party, and someone's having a cookout directly behind your chosen spot.

Always scout your location. And I mean actually visit it, not just Google Image search it.

Erie's Best Friend Photo Spots:

• Presque Isle: Beach 11 for fewer crowds, the Lagoons for that dreamy water backdrop, Misery Bay in fall for chef's kiss foliage
• Downtown: The murals on State Street, Brewerie at Union Station's exterior, Perry Square for that classic Erie vibe
• Hidden gems: Frontier Park's stone bridges, the trails at Asbury Woods, even some of the newer West Erie Plaza areas with modern architecture

Visit your chosen spot at the same time of day you plan to shoot. Check the lighting, the crowds, the background distractions. Is there a bright white building creating weird reflections? Are there power lines cutting through your frame? Better to know now than on shoot day.

Mistake #5: Staying Too Stiff and Posed

Here's a secret: the best best friend photos happen between the "official" poses. When you're laughing at someone's terrible joke. When you're all trying to squeeze into frame and someone almost falls over. When you're walking together and someone says something that makes everyone crack up.

Don't just stand in a line and smile. That's what yearbook photos are for (and even those are getting more creative these days, check out what we're doing with senior portraits if you want inspo).

Instead, try:

• Walking toward the camera together
• Sitting in a casual cluster where everyone's naturally interacting
• Activities like playing cards, having a picnic, or tossing a frisbee
• Prompts that create real reactions (like "tell each other your most embarrassing high school story")

The goal is to feel like yourselves, not like you're auditioning for a catalog. Your friendship is already amazing, let's just capture it.

Mistake #6: Not Having a Weather Backup Plan (Yeah, It's That Important)

I'm mentioning weather twice because it's THAT crucial in Erie. But this time, let's talk specifics.

Your weather backup toolkit should include:

• A Plan B location (ideally indoors or covered)
• Layered clothing options in your car
• Clear umbrellas (they photograph better than dark ones and let more light on your faces)
• A flexible attitude

Real story: I once had a best friend session scheduled at the beach. Lake Erie decided to throw a tantrum with 40mph winds. We pivoted to a covered pavilion at Presque Isle, used the wind for dramatic hair movement, and got some of the most dynamic, fun photos I've ever taken. The weather "ruined" the original plan but gave us something even better.

Erie-specific weather quirks to know:

• Lake effect clouds can roll in fast: keep an eye on the lake if you're shooting near the bayfront
• Spring is unpredictable (bring layers, always)
• Summer thunderstorms typically happen late afternoon (morning shoots are safer)
• Fall is gorgeous but can be chilly: blankets and hot drinks make great props and keep everyone comfortable

Mistake #7: Not Preparing Everyone Ahead of Time

Your group has different comfort levels with cameras. Someone's a natural, someone's nervous, and someone's already planning their escape route. If everyone shows up without knowing what to expect, you'll spend the first 20 minutes trying to get everyone relaxed.

Before the shoot, everyone should know:

• What to wear (send that color palette!)
• Where you're meeting and what time (build in 15 minutes for Erie parking/traffic)
• What to bring (water, touch-up makeup, comfortable shoes, backup outfits)
• That it's okay to feel awkward at first: everyone does!
• How long the session will take

I always recommend everyone checks out this prep guide a few days before. It covers everything from what to do about glasses to whether you should get your nails done (spoiler: only if you want to: we're capturing personalities, not perfection).

The more prepared everyone feels, the more they can relax and just enjoy hanging out together. Which, coincidentally, is when the best photos happen.

Let's Make This Happen (Erie Weather Be Damned!)

Look, best friend photoshoots should be FUN. They're about celebrating the people who know all your embarrassing stories and love you anyway. They're about documenting this moment in time before life gets even crazier and you're all scattered across different time zones.

And here in Erie? We've got the most gorgeous, diverse backyard for making these memories. From Presque Isle's beaches to downtown's gritty-cool architecture to hidden parks most people don't even know about: there's no shortage of amazing spots.

So skip the matching outfits, embrace the unpredictable weather, plan ahead but stay flexible, and most importantly? Just be yourselves. That's the magic ingredient that no amount of Pinterest planning can replicate.

---

Ready to book your best friend session?

Let's chat about your vision, your favorite Erie spots, and yes: we'll absolutely have a Plan B for when Lake Erie decides to do its thing. Hit me up and let's create something amazing together.

Because your friendship deserves better than phone selfies. Let's make it official. 📸

---

View fullsize

View fullsize