Take a Gallery of Summer Photos to Remember

Few seasons capture the spirit of childhood, like summer. It's boundless joy and vibrant colors, mixed with dogged days and sunburns — the perfect reflection of life in a three-month morsel. 

My camera is always at the ready when the summer months roll around. I can't wait to capture my kids looking at butterflies and creepy crawlies or licking on a push-up pop. 

Grab your camera, too, and dive into some summer photography ideas.

Win the Day with Water Shots

I love watching water droplets hit the light during golden hour. They look like thousands of diamonds falling from the sky. Whether you're at a pool, pond, or in front of a sprinkler, add some chaotic kiddos into the mix, and it's summer photography perfection.

Tip: Experiment with fast shutter speeds to freeze the action and capture those exhilarating mid-air jumps, water spray, and laughter. 

Play with reflections on the water's surface to create unique and abstract compositions. And remember to photograph the vibrant colors of water balloons, pool toys, and slides. Bonus: If you want to get super close to the action, wrap your camera in a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet. Keep the lens uncovered, of course. 

Hold on to the Tastes of Summer

Few flavors embody summer like the sweet, stickiness of a melting ice cream cone. Or the perfect ripe bite of cold watermelon, its juice running down the face onto exposed clavicles and tiny, round bellies. 

Use your camera or phone to get up close and personal with these mouthwatering delicacies. Focus on capturing the glistening textures, vibrant colors, and sheer pleasure on your kids' faces as they savor these summer goodies. 

Tip: Shoot from different angles, such as a top-down perspective, to create a playful composition. When you look at these images years from now, you'll be able to taste summer through them.

Catch the Euphoria of the Breeze

The sun is crisping your skin, and sweat is running down your temple. Scorching doesn't even begin to cover it. But now imagine a summer breeze. Close your eyes, it's OK. Relish the brief reprieve from the hot spell. 

To capture gentle breezes and cooling fans, use a slower shutter speed. It'll create a motion blur that emphasizes the movement of a handheld fan or the swaying of leaves in the wind. Start with a shutter speed of 1/30 and go up or down depending on the desired effect.

Tip: Play with the interplay of light and dark shadows created by the rotating fan's blades, resulting in intriguing and artistic shots. These images will evoke a sense of relief and tranquility and remind you of the simple pleasures of a summer day.

Elevate Your Vacation Photos

Whether it's a tropical getaway, a road trip, or exploring a new city, summer vacations are perfect opportunities to add new visuals to your photography. 

Capture the excitement and anticipation of embarking on a journey, the scenic landscapes, and all the adventures unfolding. Include candid shots of loved ones and highlight the shared experiences and the sense of freedom of a vacation. 

Tip: Experiment with different perspectives, angles, and techniques to capture the essence of your vacation escapades. Chances are, you'll be shooting in the midday sun, which renders harsh light and dark shadows, so you'll need to position your kids so their faces are lit by the sun or they're in open shade, which means the are in a shaded spot, but their faces are turned towards the light. 

Relive Carnival Fun

In Kansas City, colorful carnivals and festivals pop up all summer long. The vibrant atmosphere, dazzling lights, and thrilling rides provide endless photography opportunities.

Catch the joy on people's faces as they experience the exhilaration of the rides or the wonder of the performances. Focus on the details: the swirls of cotton candy, the excitement in your children's eyes, or the intricate decorations. Combining vivid colors and jubilant energy will create captivating and dynamic photographs.

Tip: Make sure to get some shots from down low to adequately document the size of the rides from your children's perspective. By using a low angle, you visually push the rides and children up into the sky, making them seem larger than life. Bonus: If you can stay at the carnival until the blue hour, the artificial lights will come alive and add visual interest to each photo. 

Memorialize those Lazy Beach Days

A quintessential summer destination, the beach is all about golden sand, sparkling waves, and endless horizons. 

In the land-locked midwest, we only have a few beach options, but check out larger lakes, as they'll usually have a sandy spot to swim.

Tip: Experiment with long exposures on your beach photoshoot to create dreamy shots of the waves or soft, ethereal clouds moving above the shoreline. Start with a shutter speed of 1/30 and adjust up or down depending on the desired result. 

Capitalize on shooting during sunrise or sunset and Include silhouettes of your people walking along the beach, playing volleyball, or building sandcastles. Grab some shots of wet messy hair, sandy feet, and portraits with goggles. 

And remember to explore the details and fascinating textures and patterns found in seashells, pebbles, and driftwood. The beach offers many opportunities for breathtaking photographs that encapsulate the essence of summer.

Go Underwater

If you can access an underwater camera or waterproof housing, dive into the magical world beneath the water's surface. Capture the beauty of treading limbs, swimming fish, and aquatic plant life.  

Underwater photography can be tricky, so keep going. Just continue to practice and play. 

Book a Professional 

Any of these activities would be perfect for a photoshoot with a professional photographer. If you feel uncomfortable capturing the summer goodness yourself, reach out to me via the form below, and we can schedule a session that encapsulates the spirit of summer.  

Liz Davenport of Sunshine and Shadows Photography is a family photographer based in Kansas City, MO. She offers family sessions throughout the Kansas City metro, including Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Mission, Belton, and Raymore. Her sessions are fun and relaxed, using primarily natural light and a lot of movement. She loves to work in rural and urban environments and looks to her families for location inspiration, so she wants to hear their crazy ideas.