I’ve had this vision stuck in my head for months: a photo shoot in a car junkyard. Smashed cars, broken windows, rust, metal, grit- all the elements for a seriously badass backdrop with built-in props everywhere you look.
As a Nashville photographer always hunting for unique photo locations, I knew this concept had potential. Climbing on cars, shooting through shattered windows, perched on hoods. The creative possibilities were endless.
The challenge? Actually finding a scrapyard that would let us shoot there.
The Hunt for Unique Photo Locations in Nashville
Turns out, there are plenty of junkyards and scrapyards around Nashville. The problem? Most don’t maintain active websites. Phone numbers are outdated. When I could find photos on Google, they were 8-10 years old, giving me zero sense of what the place actually looked like now.
I needed to know: Were there piles of smashed cars? Or just salvage yards where people pull parts before the cars get crushed? The vibe I wanted was raw, destroyed, dramatic, not just rows of intact vehicles.
After trying several places (including numbers that weren’t even connected anymore), I finally reached an owner who was incredibly kind and supportive. His only request? “We’re not moving anything for you.”
Perfect. We didn’t need anything moved, just access.
Everyone I interacted with was so welcoming, even when they didn’t quite understand why anyone would want to take photos in a muddy junkyard. But that’s the beauty of creative photography: seeing potential where others don’t.
The Power of Just Asking
Here’s the truth: I was nervous to make that first phone call. Requesting access to someone’s business (especially somewhere unconventional like a scrapyard) felt intimidating.
But I kept thinking about this creator I follow who’s trying to get rejected 1,000 times. The funny thing? She keeps getting yeses because she just asks. Her rejection list stays short because people are often more willing to help than you’d expect.
So I asked. And the worst they could say was no.
They said yes.
This was my first time approaching a business like this for a shoot, and it opened my eyes to how many unique photo locations exist if you’re just willing to ask for access. Not every location requires an expensive rental or elaborate setup—sometimes you just need to make a phone call.
The Day of the Shoot: Freezing, Muddy, Perfect
Shoot day was cold. Like, brutally cold. Huge props to Kylie for braving the freezing temperatures for these shots. I honestly don’t know how she survived.
It had rained the night before, so the entire place was extra muddy. Thank goodness I’d warned Kylie to bring backup shoes and packed a towel (which immediately became our bag holder since there was nowhere clean to set anything down).
Within minutes of arriving, we were covered in mud. But we were also surrounded by incredible backdrops.
Making the Most of the Environment
Because I’d toured the location beforehand, I came in with a mental shot list. Some worked perfectly. Others needed adjustment on the fly.
I wanted Kylie jumping between cars with the pile of smashed vehicles in the background, but the composition felt too cluttered. If we’d had more time (and if it weren’t so cold), I would’ve explored other areas to perfect that shot. But sometimes you have to prioritize keeping your model from freezing.
One of the biggest wins? Kylie is a dancer and gymnastics coach, so she knows her body incredibly well. When I asked her to do something, she could assess whether it was safe and doable. When she climbed between cars, she tested the give of each hood before committing. That trust and awareness made everything smoother and safer.
The Unexpected Gem: The Bus
Hidden among all the smashed cars was a random bus. The second we spotted it, we knew we were shooting there.
It ended up being one of the best parts of the entire session. Not only did it provide incredible visual interest, but being inside the bus offered a tiny bit of warmth compared to standing in the freezing wind.
The real magic happened when I boosted Kylie up through the emergency exit and she climbed onto the roof. The shots of her on top of that bus? Chef’s kiss. Absolute badass energy.
The Final Shots: Motion and Cold Reality
For our last series, I had Kylie sit in a car to block some of the wind. She was so cold at that point, and honestly, I was too. But I wanted to experiment with some motion blur, and having her in the car created a natural frame.
Those final shots captured something different, a quieter, more introspective vibe after all the climbing and action.
I wish we could’ve stayed hours longer. There were so many more angles to explore, so many more cars to work with. But the cold won that day.
Why Unique Photo Locations Matter
This shoot reminded me why I love pushing beyond traditional photography locations. Sure, we could’ve done a beautiful session in a park or downtown. But this junkyard offered something you can’t get anywhere else: raw, gritty, unexpected beauty.
As a Nashville photographer, I’m always on the hunt for locations that tell a different story. Places that add character and edge to your portraits. Spaces that make people stop scrolling and think, “Wait, where was that taken?”
The best part? These unique photo locations are all around us. You just have to be willing to look for them—and brave enough to ask for access.
Let’s Find Your Unique Location
Here’s what I learned from this shoot: extraordinary photography doesn’t require extraordinary budgets or famous locations. It requires vision, creativity, and the willingness to try something different.
Maybe your perfect backdrop is an abandoned building, a rooftop with a view, a warehouse with incredible light, or something I haven’t even thought of yet.
Let’s create something extraordinary together—whether that’s finding your own unique location or bringing a wild concept to life in an unexpected place.
As a Nashville photographer who specializes in creative photography that breaks the mold, I’m here to help you tell your story in a way that’s anything but ordinary.
Book your session today and let’s start brainstorming where your session could take us. The only limit is our imagination (and maybe the weather).
Huge thanks to Kylie for being an absolute trooper in freezing temperatures and trusting me enough to climb on top of a bus in a junkyard. That’s commitment to the vision.
Ready to create something unforgettable? Contact me and let’s find your perfect unique location.
