5 Tips For Beautiful Outdoor Portraits

• Dress for the weather

I check the weather almost daily. Doesn't everyone? How do you even know how to dress otherwise? But sometimes it's hard to predict even with the forecast and especially in the cooler months it's important to bring layers and make sure you plan your outfit with the possibility of adding a layer. All the more so when kids (or husbands...but I didn't say that) are involved. If they're cold they may not be very cooperative, and if they're not cooperative, well, you know how it goes.

The last thing you want is to throw on the only neon coat available when you've carefully thought out the rest of your jewel-toned wardrobe.

At the least, bring the coat and you can throw it on between shots. But ideally, plan something that is coordinated and works with the wardrobe because in my experience kids aren't going to share mom or dad's enthusiasm for color coordination when they're more comfy with their coat than without.

• Aim for the best lighting

I'm going to get a little nerdy here. We've probably all heard about "golden hour" by now. But if not, it's that last hour before sunset when everything glows and it feels like you stepped into a movie scene.

I usually aim my full sessions for golden hour as the default. If we see in advance of the day that it is forecast to be heavily cloudy I will at times ask that the session be moved to a slightly earlier time to ensure plenty of shoot time before dark. Alternatively, you can aim for first thing after sunrise but for some reason that's not as popular. If you need to plan around sleep schedules, optimum mood times, or can't shoot in the evening, my next recommendation is to shoot at a location with shade.

I never prefer to shoot in sunny mid-day lighting because I don't find it as flattering even with added tools. You can make it work, but in particular since I primarily shoot small children and like to follow them for the best shots, it's especially challenging to get the light hitting them from the right direction on a bright sunny day with no shade.

I promise I won't get more nerdy than that, just know that there's a reason for my recommendations!

PS. The photo header for this post is of my son during golden hour.

• Plan to walk a good amount

This may seem like a no-brainer, but often outdoor shoots involve lots of walking from one spot to the next depending on client preference, and if you don't have shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground it can be a challenge. Even if you plan something dressy for wearing in your portraits, it's a good idea to have something you can walk in easily to wear between.

Also, side note: strollers can be super helpful if you have very small children and props or additional outfits! I often bring my double when I do shoots with my own kids, and sometimes even just for clients or hauling props. Maybe it's just a mom thing.

Strollers are the bomb!

• What if it rains?

While not a "tip" per se, I felt this relevant enough to address in this post as it's one of the most common questions regarding outdoor portrait sessions.

I will occasionally shoot in a very light rain and at times pivot day-of if possible to shoot earlier or later as the forecast and schedules permit. I think a light warm rain can be it's own mood, fun and even romantic (some of my own maternity photos were shot in a light rain with an umbrella!).

But due to gear reasons I don't shoot in heavy rain and in the case that a deluge is forecast and we can't work around it, I will contact you to reschedule as soon as possible.

It's not a bad idea to leave a buffer before your session and not schedule too much that day to afford greater flexibility *if you can.* I typically aim for the same if I don't have other sessions scheduled.

For fun I'll include a favorite photo of my kiddo shot in a light rain because it's one of my recent favorites! See his priceless expression below.

• Choose the location based on your needs

Some of the first questions I ask when a client is flexible with their location choice & looking for suggestions are:

"How much walking do you want/are you able to do?"

"What sort of background/setting are you looking for?"

Some families have elderly, disabled, or very young family members that struggle with a lot of walking and I always take this into account in my recommendations because some locations involve walking, or (as in the case of a mountaintop session), even a little climbing. It all depends on each family's individual needs and preferences and I tailor my sessions to meet them. Some clients are aiming for a classy urban or historic downtown session, others want a natural rural backdrop for their photos. There's really no right or wrong, it depends on what reflects your tastes and preferences. Click here (opens additional page) to find my blog post about shoot locations in the Shenandoah Valley for some of my top recommendations!

• Bonus Tip:

Use the restroom beforehand!

This may seem silly or go without saying, but some outdoor locations don't have restrooms (this was especially true during covid), and in the busyness of getting dressed and out the door it's easy to forget to remind the littles to go. Or if you're like me, to go yourself. Heh.

A potty emergency can really put a damper on a photoshoot. No pun intended. Sorry. I have children! That's my defense. *hangs head in shame*

It's also worth mentioning here that it's always a good idea to bring water and a small, non-messy snack if your session is anything longer than a mini, especially on warm days.