There is so much to love about summer, but maybe my favorite element of the warmest season of the year is water. Water effortlessly captures the essence of summer, in almost all its forms.
Here are a few of my favorite tips for taking amazing summer photographs around the water:
- Composition Matters
As a photographer (whether hobbyist or professional), I'm sure you've at least heard of the "rule of thirds". Graduate beyond the rule of thirds by using leading lines, framing your subject in an interesting way, or allowing more negative space than perhaps you normally would.
- So Does Light
The summer sun can add the most stunning glow to your pictures. The glorious back light available during the middle of the year is one of my favorite session "tools". Wait for the golden hour and visit your favorite local beach. If you don't have a large body of water nearby, surprise the kids by turning on the sprinkler or visiting your local pool for an evening swim. Let them play! The way water takes hold of sunlight is nothing short of magical. You can even experiment with different focal lengths to get the mood you want to evoke.
- Select Your Equipment Carefully
Wide angle lenses work wonders when you want to shoot impressive summer skies and lovely sunsets and sunrises. Photography may be the one profession in which some drama is a good thing (at least in your images)! Dramatic skies and water can help bring the client or viewer into the photos.
- Let Them Be Little!
Summer + water = a host of fun things to do, and photo opportunities! Take photos of your kids enjoying the water. Catching children in action adds palpable spirit and vitality to your images. As photographers, we have the unique privilege of being able to freeze time. I absolutely love capturing kids in motion.
I look forward to seeing how you capture summertime by the water! Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @tracy_sweeney so I can see all your sweet photographs! You can also follow along with me and enjoy the summer photograph inspiration in my feed!
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