Summer Photography: 10 Photos You Must Take

with summertime finally hear, there is nothing better than getting outdoors with your camera.  for me, summertime is all about adventure and fun.  it’s about travel, bright fruits, relaxing here and there, and reliving summer traditions year after year.  because summer ends just as fast as it begins, it is more important than ever to grab your camera and document, document, document!  summer photography is one of my favorites because the subjects take me outdoors.  as you are gearing up for summer, check out what 10 photos you must take.

summer means bbq and yummy fruits on our picnic tables, so be sure to all check out my post about food photography so you can make your food look as good in camera as it does on your plate!

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Summer Photography: 10 Photos You Must Take

1. Summer Sports

one way to really have fun with your summer photography is taking your camera to a sporting event.  whether you capture all the details that make up the sport, or play around with your shutter speed to capture the fast movement, a summer sporting event is a great opportunity to capture some amazing shots.  get creative with your photography and think about how you can portray a sporting even without photographing the field or the players.  think about what surrounds you.

2. The 4th of July

one of the most memorable parts of the summer is always the fourth of july.  whether you want to practice your photography skill by photographing the fireworks, or you want to capture some moments at your family barbecue, don’t forget your camera this year.  try having fun with your shutter speed as you capture our american flag flying in the wind or the fireworks bursting in the sky.  the opportunities for creativity are endless on this summer holiday.

3. On the Boardwalk

whether you are near the lake, ocean, or a small pond…have fun photographing the movement of water this summer.  don’t live near a body of water?  capture your kids jumping into the pool or running through the sprinkler!  summertime is all about swimsuits and sunblock, so have fun capturing some of your funnest moments in the sun.

4.  Watermelon, of course

summer isn’t summer without a nice juicy slice of watermelon.  watermelon is such a wonderful photography subject, as it’s vibrant color lends itself to some bold and mouthwatering images.  whether you are playing around with symmetry or capturing your little one enjoying a piece, grab yourself a watermelon at the market this summer and get creative with your camera.  oh, and enjoy a piece too!

need some help getting the food on your plate look as good in camera as it does before you?  check out the 7 things i learned about food photography for some helpful tips!

5.  Icey Cold Beverages

i feel like summer photography is a great opportunity to capture movement in a variety of subjects, but especially with liquids.  and raise your hand if you love a nice cold beverage on a hot summer day!?  (me, me!)  while you are enjoying sitting and sipping, capture your favorite summer drink in a photograph.  capture the fun details about it like the condensation on the glass or bottle, or the movement as you pour it into a mason jar before serving.

6. Nature’s Vibrant Colors

just like spring is about pastels and fall is about oranges…summer is about bright vibrant colors.  especially in nature.  summertime is full of beauty in nature and you will want to have your camera ready.  as you are photographing the beautiful nature that surrounds you, specifically seek out the vibrancy of nature.  look for those bright pinks, oranges and yellows and practice exposing them properly in camera so they reflect their true color in your images as they do in real life.

for more help on how to learn manual mode, check out my post manual mode confused me, until i read this.

7. BBQ

i don’t know about you, but my oven stays off during the summer months and we are on the patio!  summertime is all about the barbecue so grab your camera as you fire up the grill.  capture what your family loves to enjoy on your plates this summer, whether it is corn on the cob or a platter full of hamburgers fresh off the grill.

8. Roadtrips

more often than not, summertime is the most popular time of year to take a road trip.  whether it is a weekend away, or a little longer…don’t forget to capture all the things that make your road trip memorable.  photograph how you get to your destination, what you see along the way, who you are traveling with, and much, much more!  don’t forget to get in the pictures too!  a great way to do that is by photographing your reflection in your sideview mirror!

9. The Fair

it comes to every town, every summer.  the fair is an event that is perfect inspiration for summer photography.  whether you want to capture the movement of the rides or you want to practice your night photography and photograph the bright nighttime lights, be sure to pack your camera in your bag to the fair this summer.  a great lens to bring would be a nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, as you can experiment with wide angles, while having the zoom option to get a closer view.

 10.  Your Favorite Pastime

if summer is about one thing, it is about relaxation.  well, it should be anyway!  think about what your favorite pastime is and get in front of the frame to capture you doing it!  for me, i love pouring myself a cold glass of white wine to enjoy on the patio with a good book.  have fun experimenting with your camera’s self timer as you get in front of the camera.  investing in a wireless remote makes getting in front of the camera even easier!

summertime is one of the busiest times of year because there are just so many things to do.  let this season inspire your summer photography as you make memories with your family.  as you are enjoying time with your kids while they are out of school, don’t forget to capture these 10 summer photos so you can savor every moment.

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