Why Summer Is Actually the Best Time to Book Your Family Session (No, Really.)
I know what you’re thinking. Atlanta in summer? The humidity alone is enough to make you want to close every tab and come back in October. I get it. I live here too. My hair has opinions about July.
But here’s the thing — summer is genuinely one of my favorite seasons to photograph Atlanta families, and I want to make the case for it. Because if you wait until fall (like everybody else), you’re competing with every other family in the metro area for the same three weekends, the same golden fields, and the same pumpkin-adjacent aesthetics.
Summer is wide open. And it is GORGEOUS. You just have to know how to work it.
Golden Hour in Summer Hits Differently.
The sun sets later in summer — we’re talking 8:30 to 9 PM in June and July — which means golden hour falls right around/after dinner time, when kids are still (mostly) cooperative and nobody’s had a complete meltdown yet. Shoot, you can even pack a picnic dinner and we’ll roll that into our time together . That warm, low, honey-colored light? It photographs beautifully on every skin tone and makes even the most camera-shy kids look like they belong on a magazine cover.
We typically schedule summer sessions for the last 60–90 minutes before sunset. Yes, it’s still warm. Yes, we move through it. And yes, the photos are worth every drop of sweat, I promise.
The Secret? Go Early or Go Late
Summer sessions in Atlanta are all about timing. Here’s what I recommend for all my summer families:
Early morning sessions (7–9 AM)
The light is soft, the air is actually bearable, and your kids are fresh. Parks are quiet. Trails are empty. There’s something almost magical about the way morning light filters through Atlanta’s tree canopy in June. If you have early risers, this is your move.
Golden hour sessions (7–8:30 PM)
My personal favorite for summer. The day has cooled slightly (or at least feels like it has), the light is that perfect warm amber, and there’s a looseness to kids in the evening that you just don’t get at 10 AM. They’ve played all day. They’re done performing. That’s when the real, beautiful, unposed stuff happens.
What to Wear When It’s Hot
Summer outfits for family sessions deserve their own whole post (and I’ll write it — stay tuned!), but the short version: go for light, breathable fabrics in soft, cohesive tones. Linen is your best friend. Avoid heavy layers and stiff denim. Let the kids be comfortable — a comfortable kid is a photographable kid.
Earth tones, creams, soft blues, and warm whites all photograph beautifully against Atlanta’s lush summer greenery and dreamy light. Think less “matching outfits” and more “cohesive palette.”
Summer Locations You Can’t Go Wrong With
Atlanta’s parks are at their most lush and vibrant in summer. A few of my current favorites for summer family sessions:
Chastain Park — massive, gorgeous, and easy to navigate with little ones
Piedmont Park — iconic Atlanta backdrop, stunning near the lake at golden hour
Winn Park — small and intimate, the little pond and stone paths make for incredible editorial-style shots
East Atlanta neighborhoods — front porches, fig trees, neighborhood murals. In-town Atlanta in summer is alive in a way that’s so worth documenting.
West End Beltline Area (Lee + White) — full of lush pockets of greenery mixed with urban/industrial elements and poppy colors for the best of both worlds
Your own backyard — don’t sleep on in-home and backyard sessions in summer. The morning light in a well-loved backyard is some of my all-time favorite work.
Pro Tips to Set the Tone
Kids love an adventure, so why not go ahead and make this experience one? The best way to capture genuine smiles is if you’re genuinely enjoying it… whether you’re going to a place you’re familiar with or an all-new setting, here are some small elements of whimsy that can really take your family session to the next level.
Bring a small container of bubbles and just start bubble bombing them
Keep a pocket size fan for whoever just needs a minute to chill out, both literally and figuratively (even if it’s you!)
If you are going somewhere that’s not too high-traffic with sidewalks or a parking lot, throw the skates or scooters in the car
I wasn’t kidding about that dinner picnic. Throw a cute quilt or blanket in and a simple snack spread, and if you want to enjoy a glass of wine while you’re at it I won’t stop you
If you’re doing a backyard session, throw the sprinkler on under the trampoline, or just let them run through it over and over again. Nothing says summer more.
Make your final stop at a local ice cream/popsicle shop and leave a few extra minutes to document the glorious mess (and if you want any recommendations my kids and I have sampled our fair share of Atlanta treats — tee-hee!)
Summer Sessions Are Booking Now
I take a limited number of sessions each season, and summer fills up faster than you’d think. If you’ve been on the fence, this is your nudge. Reach out through the contact page and let’s find your perfect summer evening together.
