My gal Steph is here to share four must-take summer photo ideas for you. I also begged her to share the secret to taking great photographs in the bright sunlight this season invariably offers, so she shares those at the end. What’s on your must-take photo list? Be sure to share in the comments!
Summer is approaching quickly and it’s one my absolute favorite times to take pictures. There are opportunities everywhere: in your backyard, at the beach, on the playground, at a party. Like I said, everywhere! Here are my four must take pictures of the summer.
1. Toes in the Sand – If you are lucky enough to get to the beach this summer, snap away! My favorite picture to take? Toes in the sand.
I also like to get little details like shells, sea gulls, and cabanas blowing in the wind.
2. Bubbles – I love catching my oldest playing with bubbles. The faces are priceless: the frustration, the determination, the thrill!
3. The Food – Oh how I love summer foods: corn on the cob, burgers and dogs, watermelon! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I love photographing food and summer food is one of my favorites.
4. The sunrise – Only on vacation am I okay with being awake for a sunrise, especially if I am at the beach. Plus, if you are on vacation, a nap is in order later~
And now for a photo tip as requested by Carrie. Shooting in direct sunlight.
I heard you all groan. But it can be done! When shooting in direct sunlight, your photographs can be blown out with heavy contrasts and lens flare {which isn’t necessarily a bad thing}. But there are some things that you can do to help avoid those problems.
1. Find shade if you can! Go behind a building or under a tree. OR Make shade if you can’t. Sometimes I’ll have a parent stand next to me to provide more shade when photographing a child.
2. Use a reflector. Reflectors are those aluminum foil looking circles. Don’t have one? Make it with a piece of white poster board!
3. Keep your ISO low. If it’s bright out, you want to keep your ISO low {100-200 max}.
4. Shoot with a small aperture. You don’t need to have your shutter wide open when shooting in bright light. Remember, the smaller the aperture, the less light that is let in when taking your picture.
5. Avoid mid-day sun. The best time of day to take photographs is early morning and early evening. It can be difficult to photograph in the mid-day sun since it’s high in the sky and beating down directly on your subject.
Steph is the author of A Grande Life. She is the mom of two boys {Ethan and Ben} who is trying to figure it all out with the help of her sidekicks, coffee and her camera. When she isn’t busy wrangling her children, she is out capturing the memories of other families through her photography business.
Steph is the author of A Grande Life. She is the mom of two boys {Ethan and Ben} who is trying to figure it all out with the help of her sidekicks, coffee and her camera. When she isn’t busy wrangling her children, she is out capturing the memories of other families through her photography business.
