12 Summer Outdoor Portrait Tips to Keep Your Subjects Looking Cool

Portrait photography can be one of the most challenging genres to shoot. We will discuss 12 tips for shooting great outdoor portraits in the summer. By following these tips, you can keep your subjects looking cool!

Tips here！

·Light

The best time of day to shoot portrait photography is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. This will give you softer, more flattering light. Avoid shooting midday when the sun is high as this can create harsh shadows on your subject's face.

·Location

An important part of portrait photography is finding the right location. Look for a spot with even lighting and plenty of space for you to work. Avoid shooting in direct sunlight as this can create squinting subjects. If you're shooting indoors, look for a room with lots of natural light

·Clothes

In summer, due to the high temperature, it is better to choose light-colored clothes for your portrait. The portrait will look more refreshing and pleasant.

·Props

Props can be a great way to add interest to your portrait photography. Look for items that complement your subject's outfit or personality. Common props include flowers, ice cream, juice, hats, bicycle, and sunglasses.

·Pose

When posing your subject, keep it natural. Ask them to stand in a comfortable position and avoid stiff poses. Instead, have them interact with their surroundings or each other. This will create more interesting and dynamic portraits. Plus, focusing on the model's face can capture the emotional change and make the photo more expressive.

·Selfie

How to get a natural and vivid portrait in summer? Without a doubt, let the model take selfies. As we all know, we feel relaxed at the moment of taking selfies, which is the essence to have no forced photos. Also, the portrait will be more attractive with some motions.

·Perspective

Change your perspective to add interest to your portraits. Instead of shooting from eye level, try shooting from above or below. This will give your photos a unique perspective and make them more fascinating to look at.

·Composition

When composing your portrait, pay attention to the rule of thirds. This means positioning your subjects off-center so that they take up one-third of the frame. This will create a more balanced and pleasing composition.

·Background

The background of your portrait is just as important as the foreground. Make sure there are no distractions in the background that will take away from your subject. A simple background with a neutral color will help keep the focus on your subject.

·Tripod

Longer lenses are great for creating a more natural-looking portrait, but they can be problematic when working with handheld speeds. To resolve this problem, don't let your shutter speed drop below what is capable of being achieved through focal length, or use a tripod to support its weight.

·Edit

Don't forget to edit your photos! A good portrait can be made great with some simple post-processing. Try adjusting the white balance, exposure, and contrast to get the best results. Remember to keep your edits subtle so that your portrait looks natural.

·Camera

A step of vital importance to taking great summer portraits is to choose a good camera. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a portrait-friendly lens will give you the best results. Smartphone users can select portrait mode to use a wide aperture to get a clear background.

We can find many smartphones with excellent portrait mode on the market, and their price is often accessible: Vivo X70 Pro+ is AED 3,502, Samsung Galaxy S22+ is AED 3,799, huawei p50 price in uae is AED 4,599, iPhone 13 Pro Max is AED 4,699… Therefore, if you don’t want to hurt your wallet buying a professional SLR camera, smartphones can be a wise choice.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you'll be able to take great summer portraits. Don't forget to protect your skin and eyes when you are outdoors taking pictures. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to avoid sunburn and damage to your eyes.