How to take the best photos this summer

The weather is warmer, the beach is busier, and you’re eating an ice cream at any opportunity – it’s time to get snapping so you have a bright and beautiful camera roll to remember your summer by. Have a scroll for some simple but foolproof ways to take the best photos this summer.

Capture the candids

Candids are a great way to fully embrace the moment you’re in (including its imperfections), and leave you with a relaxed photo filled with main character energy.

If your friends whip out their cameras at the beach, look out at the view and get your model pose on – even if they turn out a bit silly, it’s the memories that count. If you’re enjoying a day of hiking with the family, don’t insist that the kids look at the camera, they pose better when they’re simply playing in the trees, resulting an authentic snapshot of the good times.

These kinds of photos are perfect for bringing a smile to the faces of friends and family – simply add your photo to a pack of 10 personalised cards, jot down a little summer update, and send off for some sunshine in the mail

Go off the beaten track

It’s not cheesy or cringe to want to take a postcard-style photo of a tourist attraction, but you can also level up your photography by changing your perspective. Get lost in the streets that aren’t so busy and pay attention to your surroundings.

Capturing these moments is what turns your camera roll into at truly unique holiday diary that you’ll want to hold onto and share. We recommend adding these photos to a small square photo book when you get home for the perfect keepsake on your coffee table.

Play with composition

We’re often dazzled by things and want to capture them quickly, but why not take a second to change up where you’re positioned, what the camera is focused on, and how you frame the elements.

If you’re on the beach, try a photo where the sand, sea and sky are of equal proportions. If you’re in nature, crouch down and hone in on an interesting plant with some hills in the distance to create depth of focus. It always helps to stop and think about your photos, even just for a second, to help you get the best possible shot.

Once you’ve got that perfect photo that you’re incredibly proud of, head straight to our app and add it to a canvas print for a true piece of art made in a flash.

Lighting is everything

Luckily with the long days that summer brings, there’s many opportunities for great natural lighting that shows off every pop of colour and brightens your beautiful face (Instagram photo dumps incoming!)
However, it’s important to know your angles – the harsh sun can sometimes result in squinty eyes, intense shadows, and unwanted backlighting. If you do find yourself under the blazing rays, have a play with where you’re standing and where the sun is coming from to illuminate your photo in the best way possible.

Once you’ve got the best photo, why not add it to a personalised mug to brighten your mornings too? They’re super easy to create and the perfect pick-me-up on your desk when the holiday comes to an end.

Stay a little later

It also helps to simply get snap happy earlier or later in the day, when the light is softer and more relaxed. Golden hour is also a popular lighting source for a reason – get that self-timer ready for glowing selfies, or indulge in capturing the orange light on all the buildings in your hometown.

In awe of your sunset-style photos? Bring them to life by creating a collage on a piece of wall art using our easy-to-use editor.

Editing is your friend

When travelling in the summer, you often spend a lot of time waiting, from airports to queues to train journeys. Take this time to review and tweak your photos to highlight your subject in the best way possible.

Got more time to kill? You can also turn your perfected photos into prints straight from your phone using our app.

Make your summer moments last

If you don’t want to lose that summer feeling, all you have to do is print your photos.

A quality photo book is a great keepsake that can help you tell your summer story for years to come. Or for a unique souvenir, turn your absolute favourite holiday photo into a piece of wall decor in a flash.

Don’t let all of your hard photography work stay in your phone – it’s time to create.