Essential Tips for Choosing Photoshoot Locations in Munich-West, Olching & Augsburg

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When preparing for a photoshoot, the most critical decision isn't about the outfit, pose, or even the photographer; it hinges on the location. The chosen setting influences the lighting, ambiance, and your overall comfort, ultimately determining how well the images turn out. Despite this importance, many make quick decisions, often settling for a simple choice between a studio or outdoor space. This approach is insufficient.

This guide details various locations I've utilized over the years in Munich-West, Fürstenfeldbruck district, Olching, and Augsburg. Each site has been curated with specific strengths and weaknesses, seasonal recommendations, and honest assessments regarding their suitability for different shooting genres. I treat Augsburg with equal importance as Munich-West due to my frequent professional engagements there, where I am well-acquainted with the lighting conditions along the Lech and Wertach rivers, just as I am with the Amper.

This isn't a comprehensive travel guide but rather a personal index of about twenty spots I genuinely use, rather than a theoretical list of a hundred.

Key Factors in Choosing a Good Photoshoot Location

Before diving into specific locations, here are three criteria I evaluate before booking, regardless of whether it's a studio, outdoor, or home shoot:

Light Quality. A location's value is primarily determined by its lighting at the planned time of day. A popular outdoor spot at noon during the summer often yields harsh lighting and strong shadows, while the same area at 7 PM in May can appear magical. The time of day is crucial, not just the location itself.

Privacy. A picturesque field on weekends filled with joggers, walkers, and dog owners is unsuitable for intimate shoots, regardless of lighting conditions. I only select outdoor locations where I know from experience when they are least crowded. Weekday mornings, particularly from Tuesday to Thursday, tend to be the quietest.

Logistics. Proximity to parking, avoiding a lengthy walk with equipment, and ensuring restroom access are all practical considerations that can significantly impact a three-hour shoot.

Studio Olching — The Home Base

My studio is located on a quiet side street in Olching, without visible signage, and offers parking right outside. Most clients arrive either by car from Munich-West, Fürstenfeldbruck, or Eichenau, or via the S3 train, which stops just two stations from Olching (Olching, Esting).

Character: A daylight studio featuring a large north-facing window and an optional blackout setup. The north window provides consistent, soft light from 9 AM to about 4 PM. Blackout is used for darker, more intimate imagery — moody boudoir, low-key nudes, or lingerie with dramatic shadows.

Interior setup: A large bed with white linen bedding, a chair, a curtain in front of the window, a neutral wall for classic portraits, and a dark backdrop for minimalistic images. The studio's strength lies in its simplicity, ensuring it doesn't overshadow the subject.

Ideal for: Classic and fine-art nudes, traditional boudoir, lingerie editorials, serene portraits, and maternity studio shoots. Less ideal for those seeking movement, fresh air, and nature — for that, we head outdoors.

Outdoor Locations in Munich-West: The Five Spots I Actually Use

1. Amperauenweg between Geiselbullach and Olching

This is my most frequented outdoor spot. It features a three-kilometer path along the Amper, alternating between shaded areas under alders and open meadows, with a few romantic spots by the water. It's just an 8-minute drive from the studio or a 25-minute walk.

Lighting situation: In the morning (8–10 AM), the light is soft and side-lit between the trees, while in the evening (6–8 PM in summer), it glows warmly through the alder canopies. It's best to avoid midday (12–3 PM) when the sun is too high and reflective.

Privacy: Almost empty Monday to Thursday mornings. Weekends after 11 AM are busy with joggers and dog owners, making it unsuitable for intimate sessions. My recommendation: Tuesday or Wednesday between 7:30 and 10 AM for near solitude.

Ideal for: Maternity shoots, soft portraits, gentle outdoor nudes during summer, and mother-daughter sessions. Less suitable for highly staged lingerie shoots or frontal nudes (too exposed).

2. Mammendorfer See

Located about 15 minutes west of Olching, this small quarry lake features reed belts and sandy shores. While not a tourist hotspot, it offers unexpectedly picturesque scenery.

Lighting situation: The lake is open, with particularly beautiful light in the morning and evening — sunrise over the water in summer is unmatched. Midday light can be harsh. Reflections on the water create interesting secondary lighting effects.

Privacy: Almost deserted on weekday mornings. In summer, it gets crowded in the afternoons with families and swimmers, making it unusable then. I typically visit between June and September from 7 to 9 AM, the best time for solitude.

Ideal for: Summer water shoots (even in the water, with rolled-up clothing or sheer fabrics), nature-background portraits, and lifestyle sessions in bathrobes or summer dresses. Less suitable in winter or early autumn.

3. FFB-Westen — Quiet Paths between Bruckmühle and Schöngeising

West of Fürstenfeldbruck, tranquil country paths lead towards Schöngeising, featuring old oaks, small woodland areas, and gentle hills. These spots are largely unknown as “photo locations,” which adds to their value. It's a 12-minute drive from the studio.

Lighting situation: Late afternoon (4–7 PM in summer, 2–4 PM in winter) is ideal, as the hills create dramatic light streaks. Mornings are less compelling.

Privacy: Remarkably good. Rarely any encounters, often complete silence. Weekends are also viable.

Ideal for: Minimalist portraits, fashion lifestyle shots with nature backgrounds, and outdoor maternity shoots in early autumn (golden light over the fields). Less suitable for very intimate shoots without fabric (too exposed, even if no one is around).

4. Fields near Eichenau

Eichenau, located between Olching and Munich, has fields to the west that provide exceptional golden light in late summer and early autumn (August to October). It's just a 10-minute drive from the studio.

Character: Open fields of wheat, oats, and poppies, depending on the season. Poppies bloom in June, wheat is ready for harvest in August, and by September, fields are cut, offering long golden light.

Lighting situation: This spot shines during a single hour each day — the golden hour in late summer. One hour before sunset, around 6 to 7 PM in August, is prime. Outside this window, the location is decent but not outstanding.

Privacy: Good. Few walkers and occasional farmers. Caution during harvest time (combine harvesters).

Ideal for: Outdoor maternity shoots in late summer, romantic portraits, couple sessions with warm imagery, and pregnancy photos featuring long dresses in the fields.

5. Quiet Nature Corners in Gröbenzell/Dachau

In the northern part of Dachau and in Gröbenzell, there are several forest edges and small lakes that I specifically use for certain image concepts, mainly in autumn when the foliage offers intriguing textures. It's a 15–20 minute drive from the studio.

Character: Mixed — some areas are very quiet, while others can be crowded in summer. I use these spots purposefully, not as standard locations.

Ideal for: Autumn portraits and outdoor maternity shoots in October with falling leaves.

Augsburg — My Second Home Region

Augsburg is not just an afterthought; it is a regular part of my work area, and I am as familiar with the outdoor options there as I am in Olching. The studio in Olching is about a 45-minute drive away, which is manageable for longer shoots or multi-day concepts. More about my photography work in Augsburg can be found on my dedicated page.

I offer the same range in the Augsburg area as in Munich-West — boudoir, nudes, maternity, portraits, sensual, and fashion lifestyle — utilizing the outdoor locations described below and private indoor spaces by arrangement (home shoots with clients are possible there as well as in Olching).

1. Augsburger Lechauen (South of the City)

The Lechauen south of Augsburg, between Königsbrunn and Mering, are surprisingly similar in landscape to the Amperauen — the key difference being the Lech is wider, and the floodplain is more expansive. Specific spots I use include the area between Hochablass and Siebenbrunn, the opposite flood area near Inningen, and the edge of the floodplain forest near Bobingen.

Lighting situation: Similar to the Amper — best in the morning (8–10 AM) and evening (6–8 PM in summer). The Lech reflects more light than the Amper, creating interesting secondary lighting on hot days.

Privacy: The Hochablass area is too touristy — best avoided. Further south towards Bobingen or Mering is significantly quieter, especially on weekday mornings.

Ideal for: The same range as Amperauen — maternity, soft portraits, gentle outdoor nudes in summer.

2. Wertachauen (West of the City)

The Wertach is Augsburg's second river and features a surprisingly quiet floodplain forest in the western city area between Pfersee and Stadtbergen. Less touristy than the Lech, it has denser tree canopies that provide beautifully soft lighting, almost always filtered sunlight.

Lighting situation: Consistently soft, as the tree density filters direct sunlight. Usable even at midday, which is unusual for outdoor locations.

Privacy: Very good, especially on weekdays. The Wertachauen are more of a hidden gem among locals, not a typical walking spot.

Ideal for: Portraits, fine-art photography with soft backgrounds, and anything requiring filtered light.

3. Urban Edges of Augsburg — Hochablass and Siebentischwald

For a more urban aesthetic with natural elements, the area around Hochablass, Siebentischwald, and the urban edge between Spickelpark and Lechviertel is an excellent choice. Here, historical architecture, old trees, and water combine to create a setting that I particularly favor for fashion lifestyle sessions.

Lighting situation: Variable depending on the spot. Spickelpark offers classic morning-to-noon park lighting, while Lechviertel with old walls and narrow alleys works well even in diffuse light (on cloudy days).

Privacy: Mixed. Spickelpark is relatively quiet on weekdays, while Lechviertel tends to be more touristy in summer. I use both only for non-intimate shoots.

Ideal for: Fashion lifestyle, urban portraits, and editorials with architectural elements. Less suitable for boudoir or nudes.

Home Shooting — The Third Option

Another location I frequently recommend is your own home. Especially for boudoir and intimate portraits, a familiar setting can sometimes provide the most authentic backdrop. Key requirements include natural light and a space that can be cleared of clutter. More details can be found in my Home Shooting Photography for Women at Home.

Important: Home shootings in the Olching/Munich-West area are included in standard pricing. I also actively offer them in the Augsburg area, possibly with a small travel cost.

Seasonal Guide — When to Choose Each Location

A brief overview, as this question frequently arises:

March to May: Studio dominates. Outdoor options are still cold; Amperauen only becomes truly green by mid-April. The first outdoor maternity shoots are possible starting in May.

June to August: Outdoor high season. Amperauen, Mammendorfer See, Lechauen, and Wertachauen are all optimal. Important: Avoid shooting between 11 AM and 4 PM (too harsh). Early mornings (7–10 AM) or evenings (6–8 PM) are best.

September to November: Ideal for outdoor shoots, especially in fields and forests. The light becomes softer, and the foliage provides beautiful textures.