The Sunny Side Up Guide:
How Photographers Can Survive (and Enjoy!) Summer Weddings
Letâs be honest â we love a summer wedding. Golden light, warm evenings, and all the joy that sunshine brings. But if youâre a photographer, you also know the truth: summer weddings can be brutal behind the scenes.
Youâre on your feet for 10+ hours, dressed in all-black, sprinting between venues, all while your camera gear doubles as a portable heat trap. Fun, right?
Hereâs your Shutter Circle Summer Survival Guide â full of simple, smart, and sanity-saving tips to keep you cool, comfortable, and capable of doing your best work.
đ§ 1. Hydration is Your Secret Weapon
We cannot stress this enough: drink water like itâs your job (because it kind of is). Dehydration = brain fog, fatigue, and slower reaction times â all the things you donât want when you’re trying to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Top tips:
- Start hydrating the night before.
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you and keep it in the shade or a cooler bag.
- Add electrolytes if you’re working in extreme heat or sweating heavily.
- Donât rely on coffee or fizzy drinks â theyâll dehydrate you further.
đ 2. Dress Like Youâre on a Secret Mission (to Stay Cool)
Yes, we all want to look professional â but you donât have to suffer in silence.
Swap out thick, synthetic fabrics for:
- Breathable cotton or linen shirts (black can be breezy if itâs the right material)
- Moisture-wicking undershirts to avoid the dreaded back sweat
- Comfy, well-ventilated shoes (your feet do more miles than you think!)
And always pack a change of clothes in the car â youâll thank yourself later.
𧴠3. Sunscreen is Not Optional
Even if youâre mostly in the shade â that golden hour glow can turn into a burn real fast.
- Use SPF 30 or higher, and reapply throughout the day
- A facial mist with SPF is a game changer
- Donât forget your neck, ears, and hands!
Bonus: Sunscreen helps you look less shiny in group selfies later đ
đ§ 4. Protect Your Energy (Like a Battery Pack)
Hot days drain you faster. Mental and emotional fatigue sneak up quicker in the heat.
So:
- Take micro-breaks. Sit in the shade for 3 minutes between key moments.
- Fuel your body â protein bars, fruit, and light snacks work wonders.
- Breathe. Even 30 seconds of intentional calm can reset your system.
You canât pour from an empty glass (especially if itâs a sweating plastic one in the back of your car).
đ 5. Pack a âSummer Kitâ in Your Car
Letâs be real â wedding days are unpredictable. Having a go-bag of summer essentials can be a lifesaver.
Include:
- Cooling towel or spray
- Extra shirt and socks
- Deodorant (trust us)
- Electrolyte tablets
- Dry shampoo
- Mini fan or hand-held mister
- Blister plasters
Future You will be SO grateful.
đŻ 6. Plan for Light, Not Just Heat
Summer light is gorgeous â but also harsh. Know how to work with it, not against it.
- Scout for shady portrait spots
- Use backlight or diffused light creatively
- Schedule couple photos later in the day if possible
- Embrace reflections and flares where appropriate
Hot light can still be soft if you know how to handle it đđ¸
đŹ 7. Communicate with Couples
Let them know youâve got a plan for heat â it builds trust.
Reassure them:
âIâve got shaded portrait options ready so youâre not sweating through your suit, donât worry!â
Small comments like this show youâre thinking ahead and looking out for their comfort too.
đ 8. Be Kind to Yourself
Hot weddings are HARD. You’re human. You might get tired. You might get grumpy. Thatâs okay. What matters is being prepared, staying calm, and giving yourself grace.
Youâre doing something incredible: preserving peopleâs memories in challenging conditions. And thatâs no small thing.
đ Share. Support. Stay Cool.
If youâve got a summer survival tip, share it in the group. If you see a fellow photographer overheating, hand them some water. Thatâs what this community is all about.
Together, weâll get through the sweat, the sunburn, and the 14-hour dancefloor marathons â and still love what we do.
#ShutterCircleSummerGuide
#PhotographersHelpingPhotographers
#SunscreenAndShutterSpeeds
