LOCATION SCOUTING
HERE’S LOOKIN’ FOR YOU
Besides photography, I'm part detective and part dot connector as a local scout and manager. I've been locating and securing ideal settings for national commercials, print, and video production throughout the beautiful and multifaceted state of Wisconsin for over 25 years. I revel in the quirky and interesting people, places, and things, and love the challenge of delivering the perfect location to the client.
FAQ: What is location scouting?
Location scouting is all about discovering great places for photo shoots or video projects. I collaborate with creatives from all over to match stories with settings, and it’s one of the parts of my work I enjoy most.
Some of my most frequently requested locations include: homes of all sizes (from cozy to expansive), lake houses, roads, workshops and garages; offices ranging from cubicles to open, modern spaces; clinics and hospital settings; and farmland.
I scout primarily in the Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay areas, but depending on the scope of a project, I’m happy to explore anywhere across Wisconsin.
Have a space that feels camera-ready? I’d love to hear about it.
CLIENT PORTFOLIO
TESTIMONIALS
“I have worked with Stef Bartz on several European fashion shoots since 2013. Stef always brings a professional, energetic, and optimistic approach to a project. On our most recent shoot, Stef offered up exceptional locations. From the initial pitch, there were numerous locations which could have been used for our shoot. Once we settled on the location we needed, Stef executed an amazing scout of the property, which allowed us to go further in depth during pre-production planning. Stef managed a scouting day where we were able to bring photo and video onto the property to talk through challenges. The day of, Stef did a fantastic job of managing the property owners. I would give Stef Bartz the highest recommendation for any scouting or location services you may require.”
-Dan Ouwendeel | Jockey
“I have worked with Stef on a number of projects over the years… she always comes through for me with plenty of options to consider. She is very connected to her locations, has serious respect for the properties involved, and always plans for everything to go off without a hitch. I would not hesitate to recommend her for any project—large, small, motion, or still.”
“Stef is a highly skilled location scout and manager who consistently delivers. She anticipates challenges, asks the right questions, and handles every detail—from permits to parking—with a smile. Stef is a valuable member of the crew, and we always look forward to working with her.”
-Kristi Freidel & Britta Thostrup | Kingdom Filmworks
“I’ve enjoyed working with Stef as a location scout for many years. She has a strong ability to find locations that fit the creative and logistical needs of a production, and she consistently brings thoughtful options to the table. Stef maintains solid relationships with property owners and balances those relationships well with the needs of the project. She’s upbeat, professional, and always looking to grow from each experience. She’s a dependable and collaborative partner throughout the process.”
-Sue Karpfinger | Circle Pictures
“I met Stef when she left a friendly note in our mail slot asking us if we’d consider having our house be the set for a commercial. Well, we’ve done three commercials and one still photo shoot, and Stef is the perfect location scout. She makes the whole process extremely easy for us, and she communicates everything immediately. She ensures that the tech and filming teams leave our home cleaner than before—honestly, we’d have no idea people were even in our house! She makes this whole process easy, exciting, and enjoyable!”
-K. Walters | Homeowner
“Working with Stef for the photo shoot was like having a long-time friend in our home. Her level of professionalism and timely communication made our first experience sharing our property fun and enjoyable. We look forward to working with her again soon!”
-T. Debbink | Homeowner
