We don’t believe there’s ever a wrong time to make your dream photoshoot come true, but if you’ve been looking for an excuse to finally book that photoshoot at home, on the road, or farther abroad, summertime is the perfect reason!

Whatever package you choose, from cutting-edge, virtual photoshoots (recently featured on WSVN Miami) to classic, contactless photoshoots anywhere in the world you can (safely) be, our local photographers in over 500 cities are ready to capture your summer style. 

To get you ready, here are six quick tips! 

Do a little prep

To get the most out of a summer photoshoot, a little prep beforehand can go a long way. Pack a bag of summer essentials to bring with you to the shoot: sunscreen, bug spray (depending on where the shoot will be), blotting paper for shiny foreheads and noses (coffee filters work great for this too!), baby powder, lip gloss, a comb, etc. Not sure what you might need: think back to that time you were a bridesmaid in your cousin’s summer wedding and all the items you wished you could have hidden in a secret pocket of your dress!

If you’re staying local and have long hair that you want to wear loose for the shoot, prep could also include a pre-shoot visit to the salon where your stylist will give your hair a good blow out with all the right products to keep it in place. If you’re traveling and left to your own talents, throw some bobby pins, hairspray, and a cute headscarf into that bag, as well.

Dress for the heat

One area that we naturally think of when preparing for any photoshoot is our wardrobe. As always, climate and comfort, as much as style, should serve as our guides. When you don’t feel comfortable and confident, it’s hard to look good! With warm weather in the forecast, consider loose linens and dresses that allow the breeze to cool you down. This way your garments can also add a touch of drama to the photos. Think long skirts or button-down shirts billowing behind you. If sweat will be an issue, especially in high humidity locations, take time to test fabrics and colors to ensure they’ll hide tell-tale wet spots. 

Something else to consider when planning a dream photoshoot: what look are you hoping to capture? Think about the photos that inspire you. What are the subjects wearing? Neutrals, bold colors, classic lines, edgy styles? With the right pieces, it can all work in the summertime. Your photographer can help you with this (which we’ll get to shortly), but remember that a photoshoot is about more than location. It’s about YOU! And if there’s more than one of you in the pics, that plural YOU, so be sure to coordinate outfits and visions.

Keep your cool

The right wardrobe will go a long way to keeping you cool, but there are some other tricks you can put up your sleeve, or better yet, in a cooler!  

If you’re going somewhere remote, or especially hot (perhaps for dramatic shots in a national desert park), definitely bring drinks and ice along in a portable cooler. Be sure to fill up the car’s gas tank before heading out. This will not only get you there and back but also ensure you can run the car with air conditioning for a place to change wardrobe or cool down in between shots. This can be a lifesaver, especially for summer maternity shots, when the expectant mamma is already running warm.

If you’re in town, keeping cool can be part of the shoot itself. Grab a couple of glass bottles of soda or colorful bubble teas to keep you hydrated and use as summer props. Other props that can do double duty are bright umbrellas (love the heart-shaped rainbow ones) and melting ice cream cones or popsicles. Some couples and families even book their own ice cream truck to serve as a fun backdrop (and keep their sugar levels up!).

Hit the summer spots

Every season has its special spots and summer is no different. In fact, you might argue that with the long days and high temps, it boasts more spots, from sizzling to serene, than any other season. Beaches, parks, town squares, cities sidewalks, basically anywhere the air is warm, the sun (or stars) are shining, and people are smiling. Whether you’re after a dramatic night shoot amidst skyscrapers or an inspiring sunrise on the coast, summer has a picture perfect backdrop waiting just for you. 

While you’re considering where your photoshoot will take place, don’t pass up the opportunity that summer gives you to add some water fun and creativity to the shoot. Not just as a backdrop, but as something interactive, from a city fountain to ocean spray to backyard pools!

Get into the spirit

Summer water fun is just one reminder to get into the spirit of the season and incorporate that spirit into your photoshoot. What do you think of when you think of summer? It’s going to be different for all of us, but I can bet it includes some version of the outdoors, an element of discovery, a variety of delicious treats, and long nights. Perhaps the thought of summer takes you back to childhood or you have little ones. If so, consider an old-fashioned summer for your photoshoot. Snow cones and carousel lights, swings, and frisbee in the park, sandcastles on the beach, or paths through a shady forest. 

Whatever gets you excited about this season, whether lounging poolside, taking a road trip, or seeing the city, capture yourself in that summer element.  Make your photoshoot an homage to your unique summer spirit. 

Have fun!

With all the above sorted (or not!), what really takes your summer photoshoot to another level is your very own carefree spirit and sense of adventure. Because when it comes down to it, that’s what summer is all about...your spirit letting loose and breaking free. 

Share your summer photoshoot vision with your Shoot My Travel photographer. From location to poses to clothing, they want to hear it all and will help make your vision a reality. Their professional expertise and knowledge will guide you as they suggest the best time of day for the shoot, the best colors to enhance your look, and the best-hidden gems around the city to serve as your dream backdrops. You’ll be able to brainstorm through our in-platform chat feature after you book, as well as on the day of the shoot.

And while not all of us feel natural in front of the lens, we guarantee that our local photographers will make you feel like you’re simply hanging with a friend on a summer day. Together you’ll collaborate to create a summer photoshoot that feels effortless and fun, and leaves you with great memories and pics you can share on Instagram, frame for family, or send as unique summer postcards.

If you’re holding out for winter shoot (or better yet, want a photoshoot in both seasons), be sure to also check out our 6 tips to a picture-perfect winter photoshoot. 

We’ve got you and your dreams photographed year-round!