Photo by Monica Carlson
Warmer months offer up countless opportunities to infuse your summer photo sessions — with clients or your own kiddos — with color, whimsy and pure joy. To help get your creative juices flowing, we’re offering up our best summer photo session ideas for at home, out and about, or wherever your adventures take you. Because, haven’t you been waiting all winter for sublime light and late bedtimes?
Cheers to late golden hours! Here are 100 summer photo ideas to keep you busy on those long, sunny days.
Backyard photos
Conceptualizing a memorable backyard photo session doesn’t need to be complicated. Simply hand kids a fun prop or direct them to an interesting spot or gorgeous light and let the magic happen. Summer is for getting creative and having fun! Here are some fun photo props (and photo ops) to try:
Sidewalk chalk
Wading pool
Croquet
Bubbles
Bikes
Swings
Hose & sprinker
Mud pies
Dog wash
Kite
Snow cones
Sandbox
Treehouse
Backyard campout
Princess wands or pirate swords
Beach balls
Fireflies
Backyard fort
Bubble gum
Icy treats
Jump rope
Roller skates
Hopscotch
Car wash
Trampoline
Giant unicorn sprinkler
Lemonade stand
Umbrella
Flower crown
Tea party
Hammock
Hopscotch
Colorful fruit
Donuts
Badminton
Spray & squirt toys
Twister game
Hula hoop
Skateboards
Water balloons
Flags
Slip-n-slide
Vintage soda bottles
Butterfly wings
S’mores
Extra Credit: Try wish lanterns at dusk — so dreamy!
Fun field trips for great photo ops:
Arrange to meet your client for a day of local adventure for the ultimate summer family photo session. Or, pack up your own kiddos and head out on the road for a welcome change of pace. Bonus points if you can plan your outings around golden hour! Here are a few fun places to try for out-and-about summer photo sessions:
Museum
Cabin
Zoo
Aquarium
Ice cream shop
Library
Water park
Kids’ sports
Road trips
Grandma’s house
Plane rides
Playground
Mall
State park
Farmer’s market
Hot air balloon
Beach
Drive-in movie
Theme park
Berry farm
Garden center
Summer camp
Underwater adventures
The woods
Splash pad
Botanical garden
Rodeo
Boating trip
County fair
Lake with a dock
Historic landmark
Go-karting
Stable
Campground
Food truck
Small town Main Street
Under the stars
Picnic
Target run
Extra Credit: Plan a special summer photo session by booking a unique Airbnb for a one-night shoot.
16 More summer photo session ideas for creative mamas:
- Rainy days indoors
- Storms
- Summer reading
- Critters (worms, frogs…)
- The front porch
- Skinned knees
- Tan lines
- Views from above
- Pets
- Nap time or sleeping in
- Dirty feet
- Pool parties
- Morning pancakes
- Lazy pajama days
- Video games
- Boredom
Bonus: When you’re out with your own kiddos, don’t forget to leave your big camera at home sometimes. You can create great, artistic photos with your phone and stay present in the moment.
A version of this article first appeared in the July/August 2017 print issue of Click Magazine and was last updated for the blog on June 13, 2022. You can order single issues of the best photography magazine ever right here. Or better yet, get a 1-year subscription so you never miss an issue! Photographers, join our (free) Facebook group for inspiration and interaction with your fellow photography lovers.
Even more summer photo session ideas…
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These have inspired me to take some with my 2 girls next summer! Thank you for the great tips!