We don’t know about where you live, but here in Pennsylvania, it’s HOT this week. Actually, a lot of states are going through a heat wave right now. And while it’s not ideal to have a photoshoot in 90- to 100-degree weather, we do what we must, right? Here are some tips for photographers to survive those summertime scorchers.

Dress semi-professional, but make sure you’re comfortable

Summer is often a time to dress down in shorts and tank tops — anything to stay cool. That’s totally fine, but if you’re meeting with photography clients, it’s best to stay professional. At the same time, you want to be comfortable in the heat. There’s no need for slacks and long-sleeved dress shirts or business suits. But you still might want to opt for a nicer dress or khaki shorts and a short-sleeved button-down. After all, you want to make a good impression!

Bring a cooler of waters for yourself and the client(s)

There’s nothing better than an ice-cold water bottle when you’re under the hot sun. Plus, staying hydrated is incredibly important in the summer heat. You should bring a small cooler filled with water bottles, not just for yourself, but for the clients too. They’ll definitely appreciate it, especially for longer sessions. It’s all part of giving them a positive experience, which can result in a good review!

Shoot in the shade if you can find a good lighting balance

Definitely don’t stand right under the sun if you can avoid it. Natural sunlight is better for photos, but it’s not worth overheating yourself or a client! It’s still possible to get decent photos in the shade, as long as you find the right balance of light and shadows. You can do a few test shots in the shade before snapping a bunch of photos of the client.

Shoot earlier in the morning or later in the evening

The heat will be at its worst in the middle of the day. If possible, you want to shoot at times when the sun isn’t so harsh — earlier in the morning before 11 a.m. or later in the evening, maybe after 5 p.m. Golden hour photos always have great lighting anyway! If you really want to avoid the sun, you could even do some blue hour photos as the sun goes down.

Remind the clients that you can edit away sweat or red faces

Unfortunately, even with all these precautions, you and your clients might still get hot. It’s not completely avoidable at such high temps. However, there’s no need to panic! If your clients are getting red-faced or sweaty, encourage them to keep a comfortable face and not worry too much about it. You can always fix flushed skin or blend out sweat during the editing process.

Contact October Dreams Photography for more tips and scheduling info.