The Complete Guide to Summer Engagement Photos

As the days get longer and the temperatures warm up, couples across the country are gearing up for summer engagement photo sessions. This time of year is ideal for engagement photos—blooming flowers and lush greenery make the perfect backdrop—but it does come with one worrying factor: heat. Will the humidity mess up that perfect ‘do? And will sweat show up in photos?

Florida-based wedding photographer Felicia Anderson knows a thing or two about warm-weather engagement photos. “Sometimes it’s hot, and we can’t get around it, but getting through it leads to these beautiful images,” she says. “It’s worth being hot for an hour, and I always tell my couples that eventually we will be having so much fun and they’ll be so into each other that they forget all about it!” 

Here are some of Anderson’s tips and tricks for making your summer engagement photo session a success.

What to Wear for Summer Engagement Photos

Choosing an outfit for any engagement photo session is tricky. You want flattering clothing, but you also want to be comfortable so you can relax and be yourself. Add potential heat and humidity to the mix, and the wardrobe decision gets that much trickier. So what should you wear for summer engagement photos?

“I like flowy dresses that are tighter at the bust and then flow throughout because I love movement in my photographs,” Anderson says. “Flowy in the summer is also really good because when the wind blows, it cools you down a tad. Plus, these full-length flowy dresses complement almost any body type.”

Color-wise, Anderson recommends sticking to more neutral, soft colors. “The camera just naturally loves shades of pink, blues, sophisticated neutrals, greens, creams, and whites,” she says. “That’s a whole lot of colors, so you definitely have a range of colors that will photograph beautifully.”

For grooms-to-be, Anderson recommends stepping it up beyond a T-shirt and jeans for summer engagement photo sessions. “Guys just look dapper in a striking suit, so they can have nice jeans with a sport jacket, or any type of suit jacket just to take it up a notch,” she says. “I also recommend solid shades of gray or navy. These are strong complements to most women’s outfits.”

Pros of Taking Engagement Photos in the Summer

Many couples lean toward spring and fall for engagement photos due to milder temperatures and equally beautiful backdrops. But summer engagement photos have many pros as well. For Anderson, who loves lush garden scenery, summer is actually quite ideal. “In the summer, you have these beautiful, full blooms, especially in the natural gardens,” Anderson says. “This gives you a variety of gorgeous location options.”

Another pro is lighting. In the early spring and late fall, the sun sets around 6 p.m. Anderson likes to start her engagement photo sessions about one or two hours before sunset to capitalize on those soft golden-hour colors. That means an early spring session could start around 4:30 or 5 p.m.—which ultimately means you may need to take a half-day off of work to be ready and glammed up in time for the session.

Cons of Taking Engagement Photos in the Summer

It’s hard to talk about summer engagement photos without talking about heat, but Anderson says that really is the only con of the season. But it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, especially if your photographer is equipped and ready to keep you comfortable throughout the session. For Anderson, that means bringing a fan—plus a sense of humor—to every warm-weather photo shoot. “I bring a fan to my engagement photo sessions, and I have it with me on the wedding day, too,” she says. “I’ll ask my couples if they’re feeling hot, and if I see any sweat, the fan’s coming out!”

Some brides-to-be worry about how humidity will affect their hair, but Anderson says this can actually be a positive. “If you have tight curls, they may not be so tight at the end of the session,” she says. “But it looks more natural to me, honestly. I’d prefer looser, natural curls, and that’s often how they look toward the end of the session.”

Summer Engagement Photo Tips

Like any photo session, Anderson says the best way to ensure your summer engagement photoshoot is successful is to connect with your photographer before the actual day. “Talk with your photographer and go over the whole plan,” she says. “Tell them what kind of places you like for the backdrop, or what’s a place that’s special to you? If you talk through these things ahead of time, it’s smoother once you arrive at the session.”

Also, summer means more outdoor locations are open for your photos. She recommends getting creative with your backdrop, whether that’s a garden, beach, docks, or even in the boat. And finally, heat or not, remember: It’s all about having fun. “Your engagement session is like a sneak peek of your wedding day,” she says. “You’ll look back on these memories for a long time, so try not to worry about anything like heat. Remember, you’re one step closer to getting married, so have fun!”

Ahead, discover more tips along with some inspiration from real couples to help you prepare for summer engagement photos.