Must See Summer Family Session at Marvin Efird Park

Summer is absolutely a great time to photograph family portraits. For many families, it’s easier to find time in the summer calendar than the busy school calendar. But many people think it’s simply too hot. It’s a legitimate concern and a question that comes up a lot. No one wants sweaty pictures. I will definitely call off a session if the heat and humidity are unbearable. But summer sessions are gorgeous and I have a few tricks to make them enjoyable even if the heat is turned up.

Take a look at the gorgeous July 2020 summer family session below. You will see happy kids, joyful parents and not a hint of summer heat. Meet my great friends the Schubert Family. We’ve known them for years and years, and it was such an honor to finally photograph them professionally.

Their family session took place in early July. Temperatures were in the high 80s with typical southern humidity. It was sticky. But the sun was shining and we were determined to make it happen. Mostly because it was a gorgeous summer afternoon but also because this session had already been delayed several times due to North Carolina’s Spring 2020 Covid-19 stay-at-home orders.

So how did we avoid the heat and maximum the summer glow? First, I avoid the hottest parts of the day. I always photograph summer family sessions either first thing in the morning or as the sun is going down. The light is better then anyway. Second, we used Marvin Efird Park, a location in which their air conditioned car was easily accessible. I took each child one at a time into the fields while the rest of the family relaxed in the cool air. Third, when it was time for family images and sibling shots, we just worked fast! It was that simple and the resulting images are stunning in my opinion.

Thank you Schuberts for trusting me to document your family. I absolutely love what we created together. I know you will always treasure these images. It makes my heart happy to know that you smile every time you walk past the new wall art we created for your family room. I also love that you can all flip through your album and relive our session fun. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of those moments and memories. And thank you for trusting my summer session recommendation and my strict orders to return to your car. 🙂

Here are a few of my personal favorites from their session. Enjoy!