Top 15 Spring Photoshoot Ideas

15 Top Spring Photoshoot Ideas

Spring is here, and the arrival of warm weather and blooming flowers makes it the PERFECT time to celebrate with a springtime photoshoot!

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are fifteen fabulous spring photoshoot ideas to try.  There's something for everyone, from macro photography to landscape to unique portrait sessions.

No matter which idea you choose, enjoying the season and capturing its beauty is most important!

1. Macro Shots

Macro photography is a type of extreme close-up photography that often captures small subjects like insects, flowers, and plants in great detail.  This is one of the reasons why spring is the perfect time to practice it.

For example, spring is an important and busy season for honeybees.  As soon as flowers bloom and their pollen and nectar are available, the honeybees will be there to gather it for their colonies.  Since the average honeybee visits 50 to 100 flowers daily, it is the perfect time to capture them in action with macro photography.

Other great subjects for spring macro photography include ladybugs, flowers, or raindrops.  You can create some truly unique and beautiful images using this technique.

You will need a tripod and a macro lens to shoot macro photography.  Keep in mind you can create a DIY macro lens (sometimes referred to as a poor man's macro lens) using a reverse adapter ring.

For good macro shots, your depth of field will need to be very narrow.  So, use live view and then zoom in to nail the focus.

2. Spring Flat-Lay Photography

Flat-lay photography is a type of still life where all the objects are arranged on a flat surface.  Then, you take a photo from directly above, looking down.

The camera must be leveled so the sensor is parallel to the flat lay arrangement.

You can make all sorts of spring-themed flat lays.  For example, try arranging vacation items for a spring break photo.  You can use rainbows, flowers, fresh fruit, etc.

Also, you can try a conceptual flat lay arrangement by thinking about what spring represents—for example, re-birth, transformation, or new beginnings.

3. Landscape Photography

While not all flowers bloom in spring, many do, creating the perfect opportunity to photograph them in their beautiful fields.

The type of flowers available to shoot will depend on where you live (or where you can travel).  For example:

• Thousands of amateur and professional photographers travel to the Netherlands in the spring to photograph their beautiful tulip fields.
• In Texas, the spring arrival of their beloved state flower, the Texas Bluebonnet, is eagerly anticipated by photographers and tourists alike.  The bluish-purple flower fields are breathtaking and a great location for landscape photography.

Before you head off, make sure you do some research - especially if you’re traveling to photograph these types of blooms.  Timing is crucial when photographing spring flowers.  Most flowers bloom for a short period, so plan your trip accordingly.

It's also a good idea to check weather forecasts and bloom updates to ensure you visit when the flowers are at their peak.

4. Flower Field Portrait

In addition to landscape photography, flower fields make a perfect setting for a beautiful portrait photo session.

Have you seen the jaw-dropping photos on Instagram featuring influencers posing in lavender fields?  That’s only one example of what you can do.  These locations are perfect for couple and family photoshoots too.

The best time of day to shoot a flower field portrait session is during golden hour when the light is soft and warm and flattering for portraits.

Whatever time of day you decide to shoot, check the weather forecast before you go.

5. Set Up a Picnic Scene

Following all the dark and dreary winter months, a delightful Spring picnic is one of the best ways to celebrate the warm and sunny days of spring.

Set up a picnic scene for a lifestyle portrait photoshoot.  You can do it in a flower field, the park, or even your own backyard.

Lay out a picnic blanket, arrange a lovely basket with produce or flowers, and choose some fun props to go with it.  Don’t forget to color-coordinate everything if you can so everything will look harmonious. 

As a variation, you can set up an outdoor bed scene to capture your model reading or enjoying a nice sunbath.

6. Outdoor Newborn Photoshoot

Springtime is an excellent opportunity for an outdoor newborn photoshoot!  You will find many beautiful natural backdrops with blooming flowers, lush greenery, and bright, soft light that can make for stunning photos.

And being outdoors can be a great way to capture natural and candid moments with your newborn, such as their first time feeling the grass beneath their feet or looking up at the blue sky.

Additionally, the mild temperatures in spring make it comfortable for your baby to be outside longer without being too hot or cold.

Of course, you should always take some precautions.  Make sure you don’t over or under-dress them.  And don’t keep them in direct sunlight for very long.  You may stay for about 15 minutes, depending on the sun's intensity.  After that, you should move to a shaded area.

Consider including some fun props, too.  Flower crowns, blankets with pastel colors or floral prints, and delicate baskets lined with a soft pillow are all adorable ways to enhance a spring scene.

7. Fruit-Picking Session

What better way to celebrate spring than to visit a fruit-picking farm for a photoshoot?

The most popular choices for this season are strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and certain peach varieties.  It's always a good idea to research your area and ask the local farms to determine the available choices.

Clothing is important for this type of photo shoot, so make sure to discuss spring clothing options with your clients.  Summer dresses are fabulous, and if you photograph a family, help them color-coordinate their wardrobe.

Also, don’t forget about the accessories.  You can include hats, gloves, or aprons.  And consider bringing your own baskets.  The ones available at the farm might be practical but may not be the best for photos.

Most importantly, get permission to shoot there, as most fruit-picking farms are privately owned.

8. Accessorize for Spring

Whether you’re doing fashion photography or a general portrait, accessories are essential to spring photoshoots and really help to set the mood.

Big hats are great.  They are eye-catching and perfect for compositions.  Spring-colored or floral-patterned purses are very trendy too.  Just make sure they match the rest of the outfit.

9. Light Beams and Dappled Light

Light is one of the main elements used in photography to create a specific atmosphere.

We usually associate bright sunny days with summer.  So, for spring photos, try to find filtered (or dappled) light that creates a different effect.  Dappled light occurs when the sun’s rays pass through leaves, creating scattered shadows and highlights. 

You can see this type of light in many impressionist paintings, such as Claude Monet’s artworks.

Sunbeams are another light effect that can occur when light passes through leaves and branches.  This is a great effect to use when creating a more mystical image. 

Sunbeams aren't always available, though.  The conditions need to be just right, including the time of day and a high level of humidity in the air.  Your best bet is to watch for them when you are on location and take advantage when they occur.

Keep in mind sunbeams can often be added in post-processing wtih Photoshop or Lightroom.

10. Bicycle Shot

Riding a bicycle is a great activity that is perfect for spring because the weather is not too hot or cold and can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels, whether you love nature or prefer urban environments.

Because of this versatility, a bicycle can be a perfect prop for a photoshoot.

There are many excellent locations for a bicycle shoot: a local park, the countryside, or even an exciting city background can work well.  Consider adding freshly cut flowers to the bicycle basket, if there is one, for additional effect.

Another advantage of using a bicycle as a prop is that it allows for all sorts of different posing variations.  The model can be sitting on the bicycle, standing beside it, riding tandem, etc.

You can also make some panning or action shots if you prefer.  All in all, it’s a very versatile prop that can be used for an entire photoshoot.

11. A Splash of Color

Now that the earthy colors of autumn and the cooler grey colors of winter are behind us, you can finally add a splash of bright or pastel colors to your spring photographs.

There are many ways to do this. You can simply create a spring-like color palette for your background, props, and wardrobe.

And if you feel like experimenting, you can use colored smoke bombs, colored powder, or even paint.

Many photographers use special Lightroom Presets, Photoshop Actions, and even Overlays to quickly enhance their spring photo colors even further.  I have linked some excellent options above!

12. Look for Puddles

Speaking of splashes, what about photographing puddles?  Spring is not all about sunny days.  It also comes with some occasional showers.

A great way to photograph puddle splashes is by having your subject jump in them.  Remember to use a fast shutter speed so you can freeze the splash.

Another option is to photograph ripples or reflections.  If you want to try a more abstract shot, take some photos of raindrops falling on the puddle, but this time use a slower shutter speed.

13. Food Photography

Food photography and spring are two things that work well together. 

Cook a spring recipe and then use fresh produce and spring flowers as props to decorate the table before you shoot.  Also, consider using seasonal ingredients, color schemes, and spring-themed lighting.

• As far as seasonal ingredients, whether they are raw or cooked, they will provide an important clue to the viewer about your theme and also make an excellent prop for your set-up.  You can use artichokes, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, rhubarb, apples, pineapples, herbs, etc.
• The choice of ingredients can guide your color palette.  Otherwise, create a spring color scheme first and then select your ingredients around it.
• As for the lighting, spring photos typically call for a more light and airy image with brighter tones and reduced shadows.  Of course, the final choice will depend significantly on your photography style.

14. Wildlife Photography

Flowers and landscapes are not the only natural subjects to photograph during this season.  The spring is also full of opportunities to practice your wildlife photography!

And depending on where you live and your particular interests, there's usually a wide variety of wildlife to choose from.

We’ve already discussed insects and bugs in the macro photography tip.  However, don't forget about the butterflies.  Some species you can photograph in spring include the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Painted Lady, and Red Amiral.

Birds are another popular subject to photograph in the spring.  You may see (and hear) woodpeckers tapping away to find a mate or tiny hummingbirds collecting nectar from their favorite flowers: bee balm, salvia, and honeysuckle.

If you are more interested in photographing mammals, you can look for hedgehogs, badgers, cottontail rabbits, or whitetail deer.  And specific water locations may provide an excellent opportunity to capture otters, seals, or manatees.

15. Spring Holidays and Festivals

There are many spring holidays and festivals that are perfect for a photoshoot. 

Consider taking a documentary or journalistic approach when photographing a local event, or become a travel photographer for the occasion.

These types of celebrations are highly related to the location and culture, which is why there are so many opportunities worldwide.

Here are a few ideas to kick off your inspiration:

• Easter is often celebrated in Catholic or Christian countries.  However, the symbols and traditions can vary from nation to nation.  For example, the rabbit symbolizes Easter in the US, but in Australia, it's the Easter Bilby.
• Other spring events include the SongKhran (Thai New Year), the Hanami (Cherry Blossom Festival) in Japan, and the Hindu tradition of Holi in India and Nepal, amongst others.  All of them are worthy of a photographic trip.

Final Thoughts

Don’t forget that these ideas are just a starting point for a spring photoshoot.  You can mix and match them all to create some truly spectacular images!

For example, you can photograph a little girl wearing colorful accessories and playing in the puddles with sunbeams backlighting the scene.  That’s four different ideas that build on each other to create a stunning and unique spring photo!

Do you have any questions or comments about our Spring Photoshoot Ideas?  What are YOUR favorites?  Leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you!  And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!