Summer is Instagram season! It is the time of year that you can show off to all your friends and document the amazing summer you are having. However, we don’t all have a professional photographer on hand, so how can you achieve those Insta-perfect summer pictures?
Luckily for you, it is not as hard as you might think, and there are plenty of tips and tricks that you can use to achieve those celebrity Instagram-worthy pictures this summer. To help you capture a summer to remember, we have created this ultimate guide to summer photography with some of the best beach photography tips.
What is the best time to take beach pictures?
The best time to take beach pictures is at golden hour. Golden hour is the time of day shortly after sunrise or before sunset, where the sunlight creates the perfect combination of vibrant colors and warm colors.
Many people think that the best time to take pictures is in the morning because it is the time of day when they just got ready to go out. However, if the lighting and surroundings are not perfect, it does not matter if you look amazing because the photo won’t do you justice. It is best to wait until sunset if you want to capture the beauty of the beach in all its splendor.
Although sunset is an easier time to take golden hour pictures, if you want the early morning freshness and pristine look, you can also get up extremely early and get a similar effect. However, for convenience and perfect beach shots lighting, we recommend sunset.
5 tips for great beach photography
There are a few tricks that landscape photographers and beach photographers use to make their pictures stand out from the rest. Here are the 5 tips for great beach photography:
- Find the perfect camera
- Use a wide-angle lens
- Find the perfect outfit
- Use a tripod
- Use filters
1. Find the perfect camera
It’s important to find a camera that you love and that you can easily use. For most people, that means using the camera on their smartphone as it is convenient and high quality. However, some people who are more interested in photography might benefit from using other types of cameras.
If you are new to using cameras, we recommend a simple point-and-shoot film camera. Film cameras offer an experience unlike anything that digital photography provides. Films produce vintage-quality pictures that have a unique and impressive look. So, if you are looking for something different, we recommend a cheap disposable film camera to start immersing yourself in the world of photography.
2. Use a wide-angle lens
If you want to capture the entirety of the landscape that you are in, a wide-angle lens is the perfect accessory. A wide-angle lens allows you to achieve perspective and depth in your pictures, which makes it possible to focus on a central point in the foreground whilst still managing to capture the scenery behind.
3. Find the perfect outfit
If you are thinking of getting in front of the camera and want to be front and center of your beach photos then you need an outfit that is suitable for a stunning picture in a beautiful beach photography setting. For beach photos, the only logical choice of outfit is a bikini or a one-piece swimsuit. We recommend wearing something bold to ensure you are not lost in the beautiful surroundings, and that instead, you stand out in an elegant swimsuit.
We also suggest having some kind of cover-up to add variety to your beach photos. You can take a few with a cover-up on and a few with it off to have options when it comes to picking the perfect picture. And, of course, you’ve got to have a pair of sunglasses, and maybe even a sun hat to achieve the full effect.
Wardrobe essentials needed for a hot girl summer
4. Use a tripod
Using a tripod is the ultimate hack if you are on your own, as it allows you to take stunning pictures that are not only selfies. The stability that a tripod affords you also allows you to play with different features such as shutter speed which will alter the look of the elements surrounding you. You can lower the shutter speed for cool blurry effects or increase it to get really sharp and detailed pictures.
5. Use filters
Filters are your best friend as they can completely transform a picture. Even if you are not a great photographer, a filter can hide a multitude of unphotogenic elements. For instance, if you have reflected light that obscures the image, the right filter could perfectly adjust the lighting. You can also completely change the vibe and aesthetic of an image with a filter. A black and white filter can create what was initially a fun couple beach photoshoot into a romantic shoot to cherish forever.
How to pose for your beach photos
Knowing how to pose for a photo is the most difficult part of taking a picture. Some people even attend workshops to get the perfect photo poses down. Follow these foolproof tricks to take professional model photos:
Picture in the water
Posing in the water is a power move. Think Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia’s Lay All Your Love on Me. That is the exact energy you want to be harnessing in water pictures. Water pictures can be both sexy and adventurous, allowing you to strike the perfect balance. Alternatively, getting someone to capture your sexy coming out of the water shot, with a wet hair flick can create an equally stunning result.
Look at the sun
Whilst we do not recommend looking directly into the sun, looking in the direction of your light source can help create the perfect candid picture. It averts your eyes, so you are not looking directly into the camera, and allows you to achieve a mysterious look, showing people you are living your best life this summer.
Piggybacks
If you are with another person, especially if you are in a couple or on the beach with your besties, piggyback photos are a lovely dash of silly. They are one of the more fun poses that you can do on the beach and present more of an energetic vibe to your pictures, as opposed to the pensive look you will achieve with other poses.
Shop for bikinis
If you want to achieve the best pictures this summer, you need to ensure your wardrobe is ready. If you are going to be spending the majority of your time at the beach, you are going to be practically living out of bikinis and swimsuits, so it is important to have a few pairs that are comfortable and photogenic.
No matter what you are looking for and what your style is, we have something for you. We have triangle bikinis in bold colors, single shoulder bikinis in a metallic hue, or even strapless bikinis, so you’ll be sure to find something you love.
If bikinis are not your thing, we also have one-piece swimsuits and cover-ups to meet all your beach needs this summer. Founded on the shores of Bondi Beach in Australia, there is nothing we know more than swimwear, so trust us to provide you with the ultimate swimwear to get you through this summer and many summers to come.