Summer is all about sunshine, pool days, and making lasting memories, and capturing those moments with your kids is a must! Whether they’re splashing in the water, floating on a fun pool float, or wrapped up in a cozy towel after a swim, great poolside photos will help you relive these summer days for years to come.
Taking the perfect poolside photo can be tricky with bright sun, moving water, and active kids, but with a few simple tips, you can get bright, clear, and joy-filled summer shots—all with just your phone!
1. Use Natural Light to Your Advantage
Good lighting is the key to beautiful, vibrant photos, and the poolside sun can either be your best friend or your biggest challenge.
Best Times for Poolside Photos:
- Morning (before 10 AM) – Soft, natural light prevents harsh shadows.
- Late Afternoon (after 4 PM) – Golden-hour lighting adds warmth and glow.
- Cloudy Days – Provide even lighting without the harsh glare of direct sunlight.
If you must shoot in the middle of the day, find a shaded area to prevent squinting and harsh shadows on faces.
Pro Tip: Avoid shooting when the sun is directly overhead—it can cause unflattering shadows and overexposed photos.
2. Adjust Your Camera Settings for Water & Motion
Pools bring a lot of movement, from rippling water to splashing kids, so adjusting your phone’s settings can help capture sharp, clear shots.
Best Camera Settings for Poolside Photography:
- Burst Mode – Hold down the shutter button to take multiple shots at once—perfect for catching jumping or splashing action.
- Live Photos (iPhone) or Motion Photos (Android) – These allow you to pick the best frame after taking the shot.
- Portrait Mode – Creates a blurred background effect, making your child stand out.
- HDR Mode – Balances bright pool reflections and shadows for more even lighting.
Pro Tip: Try using video mode to capture action shots and later take screenshots of the best moments!
3. Capture Natural, Candid Moments
The best poolside photos aren’t always posed! Candid moments often showcase the most genuine joy and fun.
Candid Photo Ideas:
- Laughter while splashing in the water
- Jumping into the pool with big smiles
- Wrapped in a towel, giggling after a swim
- Blowing bubbles in the water
- Relaxing on a fun pool float
Instead of asking your child to “smile for the camera,” engage them in playful conversation or tell a joke to capture authentic expressions.
Pro Tip: Try taking photos from a lower angle to capture their excitement and make their movements feel even bigger.
4. Use Fun Props & Accessories for Creative Shots
Adding colorful and playful elements can make your poolside photos even more eye-catching.
Poolside Photo Props to Try:
- Brightly colored pool floats (flamingo, donut, unicorn)
- Sunglasses for a cool summer look
- Beach balls & inflatable toys for action shots
- Pool noodles for fun framing effects
- Matching swimsuits for cute coordinated pictures
Pro Tip: Have your child peek through a floatie ring for a fun and creative framing technique!
5. Get Creative with Water & Reflections
Water adds a unique, playful element to poolside photos, so use it to your advantage.
Ways to Make Water Part of the Photo:
- Capture reflections in the pool for an artistic effect.
- Get a splash shot by having your child kick or throw water in the air.
- Use underwater phone housing to take cool below-the-surface shots.
- Photograph dripping water after they come out of the pool for a cool detail shot.
Pro Tip: Try using slow-motion video mode for splash shots and select a single frame for the perfect action photo.
6. Frame Your Photos for a Balanced Look
A well-framed shot can turn an ordinary poolside photo into a standout picture.
Easy Ways to Improve Composition:
- Use the rule of thirds – Place your child slightly off-center for a more balanced image.
- Include background details – Palm trees, pool tiles, or blue sky add to the summer vibe.
- Shoot from different angles – Try overhead shots, close-ups, and wide angles.
- Fill the frame – Get closer to highlight expressions and details like wet hair and water droplets.
Pro Tip: Experiment with silhouette shots at sunset for a dramatic, artistic look.
7. Edit Your Photos for a Polished, Vibrant Look
A little editing can enhance colors, brighten shadows, and make your poolside photos pop!
Easy Editing Tricks for Poolside Photos:
- Increase brightness & contrast for sunlit photos.
- Boost saturation to make blues and greens pop.
- Sharpen the image for crisp water details.
- Crop out distractions for a cleaner composition.
Apps like Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or VSCO offer easy editing tools to perfect your poolside shots.
Pro Tip: Use a preset filter or edit photos with a cohesive style for a clean, consistent summer photo album.
8. Keep Your Phone Safe & Dry
Pool photography is fun, but water damage is not! Take steps to protect your phone while still capturing great shots.
How to Protect Your Phone Near Water:
- Use a waterproof phone case or dry bag for safety.
- Take photos from the pool’s edge to minimize risk.
- Dry hands before handling your phone to prevent accidental drops.
- Keep a towel nearby to wipe off any splashes.
Pro Tip: If your phone does get wet, put it in a bag of silica gel packs (better than rice!) to absorb moisture quickly.
Capturing amazing poolside photos of your kids is all about timing, creativity, and having fun! By using natural light, adjusting camera settings, and incorporating water, reflections, and colorful props, you can take stunning summer shots that truly capture the joy of the season.
So grab your phone, get creative, and start snapping beautiful, fun-filled poolside memories that you’ll treasure forever!
