Your summer photoshoot should be fun, but it can also be hot this time of year. I have a few tips for keeping cool and still enjoying your session.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is the first step to beating the heat. Ensure you drink plenty of water leading up to your session, and bring along some extra water to keep hydrated. For wedding clients, please bring extra water along for the day. Pick a person in charge to make sure there is plenty of water for those involved in the photos.

Stay Out of the Sun

Pick a location that keeps you out of the direct sun. Look for areas with plenty of shade that let you still see the sky when looking up. An area with lots of shade is great for your skin tones and prevents your face from turning red during the session.

Wait Until Later

Wait until 1-2 hours before sunset to take your portraits to avoid the hot sun. I know sometimes schedules don’t allow for later sessions with little ones due to bedtimes.

Consider Mornings

This has to be one of my favorite tips. With the sunrise being pretty early, mornings are an excellent option for portraits with little ones. The day is cooler in the morning, and little ones are typically not cranky or tired. Another plus is that when your session is done, your husband can go to work, and he doesn’t need to worry about rushing home and getting ready for the session.

Indoors or Outdoors

One thing to consider is picking an indoor studio location instead of trying to beat the outdoor heat. I have a studio space available, but Lubbock also has a few options for picking a studio location. Refined Studio in Lubbock is a personal favorite of mine.

Here are a few of my favorite tips for beating the heat for your summer photoshoot. What are your favorite tips? Leave them in the comments below.