July 12, 2020

Woman posing for a summer photo shoot. She holds wildflowers and wears a wide brim hat. Backdrop is the hills of the Pacific Northwest.

When putting together this dreamy summer picnic styled shoot with SISTERS, we were inspired by the perfect summer night. Like the feeling of sharing a crisp glass of wine amongst friends on a warm July evening. The stunning hills of the Mountain West in Boise, Idaho served as the perfect backdrop to bring our vision to life. In this blog, we’ll provide inspiration and tips for your vintage inspired photography session.

A woman setting up a picnic photoshoot. She is a wearing a white dress. The scenic area is a grass field in Utah.

Woman pours wine at a picnic in the hills of the pacific northwest.

A woman in a flowy white dress and bandana having a picnic in a field. She is in the pacific northwest.

What to Bring to Your Summer Shoot

It’s easy to create the perfect setting for your summer photography session. The right location and a few fun props can help take your photos to the next level. Warm temperatures and late sunsets of summer are ideal to take your portrait, engagement or wedding photo session outside. A beautiful place like Idaho has endless opportunities to take advantage of nature’s beauty. For our shoot, we chose a summer picnic theme. Here are some ideas of what props you can bring to make this aesthetic come to life.

picnic blanket & basket
wine glasses, your favorite bottle of summer wine, fresh fruit, charcuterie
bouquet of wildflowers
cottagecore inspired outfits and accessories
vintage books

A woman drinks a glass of wine wearing a white flowy dress. The scenic area is boise idaho

A picnic with wine, wine glasses, grapes, and bread. Set on a flowy white blanket.

Summer Picnic Outfit Ideas

Our summer picnic theme pairs great with vintage and cottagecore inspired outfits. The warm weather is the perfect time to break out your flowy dresses. Floral patterns are timeless and go with just about any style. Choosing details like lace-up corset silhouettes and square necklines help tie this summer picnic aesthetic together. Lastly, add fun accessories like a wide brim hat or bandana headband for the perfect vintage vibe.

There are so many style options for your shoot, but whatever you decide make sure it’s something you feel comfortable and confident in! We always recommend bringing a few outfit options because it will give your photos some variety and serve as a back up option if needed.

A woman posing for a picnic photoshoot. She is a wearing a maxi floral dress. The scenic area is a grass field in Utah.

Editorial Style Portrait Session Inspiration

While most of our clients come to us to capture major life events like weddings and engagements, we love seeing inquiries for personal photo shoots. Portraits can be used for professional headshots or branding and content for business owners. It’s also such a fun way to practice self care and boost confidence. Whatever the reason, a portrait session is the perfect way to express your personal style and capture your magic!

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of the natural beauty of places like the Boise, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Another positive of having your shoot in the summertime is the amazing light and later sunsets. Comfortable temperatures will make it easier to plan your shoot when the lighting is most ideal and allow your photographer to harness their most powerful tool – light!