Summer is officially here! Whether you’re spending your days at the ball field, chasing kids through sprinklers, planning family vacations, or enjoying late nights around the fire pit, we hope you’re able to make the most of these fleeting summer moments.

If you’ve been thinking about booking family photos this summer, you may be facing a common dilemma:

It’s hot.

Like, really hot.

Maybe it’s been a few years since your last family session. The kids are older now and you’ve even welcomed a new baby (or if you’re like us, you’ve added two babies) since your last photos were taken. You know it’s time for updated family photos, but the thought of standing outside in Kentucky’s summer heat has you wondering if you should wait for fall. We hear, ya! 😅

While summer family photos certainly come with a few extra challenges, with a little planning and the right approach, you can absolutely have an incredible session—even when the heat and humidity are doing their best to make everyone miserable.

Below we’ll share why we love summer family sessions as well as our tips for beating the heat, keeping kiddos happy, and creating beautiful family galleries all summer long.

3 Reasons to Love Summer Sessions

Reason #1: Golden Hour Is Simply Better

You probably saw this one coming.

Golden hour during the summer months is hard to beat. Not only does it happen later in the evening, but it also tends to last a little longer than it does in the fall and winter.

There is something special about that warm summer sunlight filtering through the trees, wrapping families in a soft glow, and creating the kind of depth and color that photographers dream about. It’s the light that gives photos that timeless, dreamy feel everyone loves.

Simply put, summer gives us some of the most beautiful light of the entire year.

Reason #2: Everything Is Alive

One of the biggest advantages of summer family photos is the scenery itself.

Trees are full, grass is green, wildflowers are blooming, and the landscape feels vibrant and alive. All of those rich greens create beautiful contrast and help families stand out naturally in photos.

Compare that to late fall or winter, when many trees are bare and the landscape can feel a little muted, and it’s easy to see why summer remains one of our favorite seasons for family portraits.

Reason #3: More Flexibility for Busy Families

Let’s be honest—most families are busy.

Between work schedules, sports practices, vacations, and everything else life throws your way, finding time for family photos isn’t always easy.

One of the hidden benefits of summer is simply having more daylight to work with. Because the sun sets later, we have far more flexibility when scheduling sessions. Families can get off work, grab a quick dinner, and still make it to a session without feeling rushed.

And as a bonus, those evening hours are often much more comfortable than the middle of the day anyway.

3 Tips For A Great Summer Session

Tip #1: Stay Hydrated

This may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most important things you can do before a summer photo session.

Let’s be honest—remembering to drink enough water isn’t always easy. And when you finally do start drinking more water, it feels like you’re making a trip to the bathroom every 15 minutes.

But staying hydrated can make a huge difference in how you feel during your session.

Think of your family photo session like a big game. For the next hour or so, everyone is going to be walking, playing, laughing, chasing kids, and interacting with one another. The more energy everyone has, the better the experience will be.

When everyone shows up feeling refreshed and hydrated, they’re more comfortable, more patient, and far more likely to enjoy themselves. On the flip side, if someone is feeling sluggish, overheated, or running on an iced coffee and pure determination, it tends to show pretty quickly.

(And dads, we’re looking at you here.)

A little extra water the day before and the day of your session can go a long way toward helping everyone stay comfortable—even when the Kentucky humidity is doing its best to make things difficult. It doesn’t hurt bringing freshly filled insulated water bottles with you to your session to sip in between poses.

We’d recommend mix-in electrolytes like Liquid I.V.. They are delicious and get the job done more effectively than water alone!

Tip #2: Keep It Light and Comfortable

What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body.

If you’re planning a summer session, choosing clothing that is comfortable, breathable, and appropriate for the weather can make a huge difference in your overall experience.

We’ve all been there—that moment when you’re wearing a heavy shirt on a hot, humid day and suddenly every degree feels amplified. The more comfortable you are, the easier it is to relax, enjoy the session, and focus on the people you’re with instead of how hot you feel.

Lightweight fabrics, breathable materials, and outfits that allow for movement are all great choices during the summer months. We also recommend considering colors and fabrics that won’t show sweat as easily—especially if you’re someone who naturally runs a little warmer (speaking from personal experience here).

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to look great. It’s to feel great, too.

Book your summer session today if you’d like more help choosing outfits! We provide clients with our Family & Couples Style Guide, where we share some of our favorite tips for coordinating outfits, choosing colors, and feeling confident heading into your session.

Tip #3: Bring a Towel, a Fan, or Whatever Helps You Stay Cool 😎

By now you’ve probably noticed a theme: a better experience leads to better photos.

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about family photos is that they need to show up looking perfect and never break a sweat. The reality is that summer sessions are warm, and that’s okay.

Don’t feel any pressure to tough it out.

If bringing a small towel, handheld fan, cooling towel, water bottle, or anything else helps you stay comfortable, bring it along. We encourage it.

We intentionally build small breaks into our sessions to give families a chance to relax, cool down, grab a drink of water, and reset before moving on. Those little moments make a huge difference, especially when young kids are involved.

The goal isn’t to survive your session. The goal is to enjoy it.

So take advantage of those breaks. Dry off, cool down, recharge, and then jump right back in. A few minutes of comfort can go a long way toward helping everyone stay happy, relaxed, and ready to take great photos.