Outdoor Branding Session Ideas for Summer

Those who know me know that I love summer. Even though I live in New England and I do like to do things like go snowboarding, I’m happiest on a warm summer day, with the sun on my skin and a cool cocktail in my hand. 

I also love to take advantage of this warm weather and shoot outdoors as much as possible. Lucky for me, so do many of my clients who desire outdoor images that fit their brand. So as the weather starts to warm up, I’m featuring just a few of my favorite outdoor branding sessions to give you some inspiration. Keep reading for my outdoor branding session ideas for summer. 

Sylvia Winter

When Women Fly

Locations: Walden Pond & Hanscom Airport

This has to be one of the more exciting shoots that I’ve planned and you can read more about this adventure branding shoot here. Last summer I worked with Sylvia Winter who wanted to capture some images for her podcast, When Women Fly . Sylvia has her pilot’s license and much of the podcast revolves around aviation and flight, so of course we had to get some shots of her on the airstrip at Hanscom Airport with a plane. We were lucky in that it was a beautiful summer day so we also could shoot in the water over at Walden Pond to capture another one of her passions, paddle boarding. And yes, I actually got into the water up to my waist! 

Now, this shoot was obviously very specific to my client, but it shows that you can think outside of the box for your outdoor branding session. 

Erika Planer

Lady Luxe Beauty

Location: Hingham, MA

Erika Planer of Lady Luxe Beauty is an on-site bridal hair stylist, so the obvious shots to get are of her doing a client’s hair. But she loves being outdoors and she knows that her clients like to see photos of her, not just her work. So we headed outside to grab these beach and picnic lifestyle photos. The best thing about these shots is that they show the personal side of her personal brand. It also helps that the colors were perfect for her website and social media aesthetic. I just love how this shoot came together with the bright whites, the wide-brimmed hat, the sandy beach and how playful she got with it all. 

Erica Carson

The Carson Collective

Location: Rockport, MA

For my shoot with Erica Carson of The Carson Collective, we thought very creatively when it came to how we used the outdoors to capture more lifestyle images for her brand. Her husband’s family owns a home in Rockport, right on the water. So when she said she wanted some lifestyle images, we decided to capitalize on their location. This home also had a large yard that stood in for a golf course. I adore this great shot of her with her club and one of the fun parts of this shoot was incorporating her interest in golf. 

Using the outdoors to showcase your varied interests is another fun idea for your shoot!

Melissa Landry

No More Guilt

Location: Around Marblehead, MA

Through her nutrition business, No More Guilt, Melissa Landry promotes a healthy lifestyle without the body shame and works primarily with women in bigger bodies. For her shoot we did have some indoor shots capturing some more direct connection with her nutrition business (working, food, etc.), but she also wanted a more lifestyle feel to her images. So we planned some outside images along a street with her and her husband and pupper. 

This shoot shows that you can still get personal with your branding session, even if you have it outdoors. 

Candy Costas 

Candy Costas Style

Locations: Christopher Columbus Park & Boston Harborwalk

While many of my clients are service providers, I do work with lifestyle bloggers like Candy Costas of Candy Costas Style. Much of her brand is about her fabulous street style and being on the go enjoying life, so of course we had to grab some outdoor shots. Christopher Columbus Park and the Boston Harborwalk provided the perfect backdrops for her fun outfits as they are picturesque while also projecting that “city chic” feel.

When you are thinking about an outdoor branding session, it is important to think not only about the colors of those locations, but also the vibe they give off.

Dr. Megan-Marie Delegas

Megan Marie PT

Location: Seaport District, Boston

I’ve previously shared how my client Dr. Megan-Marie Delegas of Megan Marie PT is a pro at matching her brand aesthetic to her shoot for her physical therapy business. For this branding session we decided to get more lifestyle images so we capitalized on the Seaport District in Boston. I love this area because of all the textures, different materials on the streetscape along with fun colors and murals, which make for a variety of backdrops.  

While you may not feel like your brand lends itself to an outdoor session, I would say just think about the possibilities! After all, it’s your personal brand - get personal with your shoot. If you are really into fitness or being outdoors (even if that isn’t what your business is about) you can show that through your branding session. If you have a dog, take the little guy for a walk as part of your shoot to give your clients an idea of how you spend your off time. Letting your audience in on who you are away from the desk and laptop will help to build that know, like, and trust factor that is so important when it comes to making sales. 

Now that you have some inspiration for your next outdoor branding session, let’s get you on the books! Click here to schedule a call with me and we can discuss some outdoor branding session ideas for summer.