Summertime is like a dream for a photographer. Longer daylight hours mean more opportunities to shoot outside — and of course, this correlates to brighter, more “glowy” natural light. Everything is green, fresh and blooming — which makes for gorgeous subjects and backdrops.
Summer is also FUN: Trips to the beach, vacations, visiting amusement parks, backyard cookouts and parties are a blast for a photographer to capture.
However, all of those awesome opportunities provide some challenges for shooting. Summer light is often really bright and harsh, and, of course, summertime brings the heat, and shooting in the heat can be a really tough job.
Here are a few tips, tricks, and ideas for scheduling your photo shoots during the summer months:
1. Utilize the “golden hour” to your advantage! Since the light during the summer can be blinding, avoid shooting midday at all costs. On the flip side, the “golden hour” (the hour or two after sunrise or before sunset) is even more gorgeous during the warmer months. So, wherever possible, schedule your photo shoots for the hour or two before the sun sets. If the sun is supposed to set at 8:30pm, plan your photo shoot to start around 6:30pm or 7:30pm. This will ensure that you’re shooting during that optimal “golden hour” time.
2. Shade is your new best friend. If you’re unable to shoot during the “golden hour” for whatever reason, scope out your shooting location prior to your photo shoot and look for the pretty, shady spots, whether it’s underneath trees, by tall buildings, etc. Go a few days before around the same time as your scheduled shoot and look at exactly where the sun is hitting and when. Shade will not only help to diffuse the harsh light, but it will also help keep you cool (or at least cooler…).
3. Shoot indoors! Use the heat to your advantage and shoot inside with air conditioning! Maybe you schedule a shoot at a museum that has some gorgeous large windows and a ton of beautiful natural light pouring in. Or maybe you even schedule a shoot at your home or your client’s home. Play around with different indoor locations that will stretch your creativity, while also keeping you cool and collected.
4. Try something different, seasonal, and fun! Think of the places you can only really go during the summer months. Maybe it’s the local amusement park, the pool (yes, the pool!), the zoo (if it’s a seasonal zoo), etc., and plan a shoot there. I know I’d LOVE to see some fun images of a couple on a Ferris wheel or roller coaster … or a family casually posed next to a lion’s den … or a styled bridal or fashion shoot at a pool or park. Stretch your imagination and run wild with it.
5. Have a “summer emergency kit” with you at all of your shoots. You can plan and plan and plan, but sometimes, life happens and things don’t go the way you want. So, pack a “summer emergency kit” for those times and situations when things aren’t going your way. Include things like: a translucent makeup powder and fluffy powder brush to use on your clients who might be sweating a little bit, to keep their face from looking like it’s melting; bottles of water for those hot days when you’re feeling dehydrated and tired; a reflector or diffuser to help diffuse the harsh light at a midday shoot. Deodorant and sweat rags to help combat perspiration on you AND your client’s clothing.
Those are just a few ideas, tips and tricks for making the most of scheduling photo shoots during the summer months. Do you have any tips or tricks that you put into place when the temperatures rise?
Molly Stillman is a writer for Professional Photo Prints lab, Artsy Couture. She is a marketing executive, blogger, mama, and wife. She also is extremely passionate about lifestyle and portrait photography and loves encouraging others in the pursuits of their goals and dreams.