Spring photography doesn’t wait. The cherry blossoms show up for about a week or so, and then they’re gone. The light is soft in the morning. Gardens are waking up. Kids are back outside. Spring is everywhere right now, and it’s so worth photographing.
If your camera has been sitting in a bag since last fall, this is your invitation to take it out. And if you’ve been shooting on your iPhone, spring is one of the best seasons to really put it to work.
Try these five ideas and one tip. It’s time to wake up your creativity!
You Already Have Everything You Need for Spring Photography
Think about what spring actually looks like right now. Flowers are blooming in vivid color. Fresh green leaves are slowly opening on trees that were bare a few weeks ago. Kids are running wild in the backyard. And then, there are the farmers’ markets. And longer evenings with beautiful light. (My favorite!!!)
You don’t need to be an expert to take beautiful spring photos. You just need to show up. Your camera is ready for it.
If you use Auto Mode, that’s fine. After all, Auto Mode will help you get outside to shoot. And if you’ve been wanting to try something new, spring is a great time to experiment. The light is forgiving, the subjects are everywhere, and there is no pressure.
The most important thing right now is to get outside and start shooting.
A photographer on Auto Mode who actually takes pictures will always get better results than someone who waits until they feel ready. 😎
Spring doesn’t wait. You shouldn’t either!
Five Simple Spring Photography Ideas Close to Home
Not sure where to start? Here are five easy, fun ideas right outside your door. I’ve included a simple settings suggestion for each one, whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or your iPhone.
1. Flowers and blossoms
Get close. Really close. Look for individual petals or the center of a flower. Cherry blossoms are a perfect example. They are delicate, beautiful, and gone before you know it. (Forgive me for this… but with the winds of spring, they truly are gone with the wind! 😉) And don’t forget magnolia blossoms!
DSLR tip: Try Aperture Mode and set your aperture to f/4 or f/5.6. This will give you a soft, blurry background that makes the flower really pop.
iPhone tip: Tap the flower on your screen to make sure the camera focuses there. Then try swiping up or down slightly on the sun icon to see what changing the exposure might do. It can make a big difference with delicate subjects like blossoms.
2. Spring photography in the Morning light
The hour after sunrise is warm, soft, and incredibly flattering for spring photography. If you can get outside with your camera even once during this season’s early morning light, you will love what you capture. Everything looks a little magical at that time of day.
I got up at 2:30 am to drive to the lavender fields in Provence to take this photo before dawn.
DSLR tip: This is a great time to try Aperture Mode at f/5.6 with your ISO set to Auto. Let the camera handle the exposure while you focus on finding great subjects in great light. And don’t forget to tell the camera what to focus on!
iPhone tip: Be sure to turn off the flash so the natural light can do the work. Morning light is so soft and warm that your iPhone will handle it beautifully on its own.
3. Kids and pets outside
Don’t pose anyone. Just follow them around and be ready to press the shutter. This is your chance to be the paparazzi! 😎 Those candid moments are among the most joyful photos you’ll ever take, and spring offers so many of them.
I captured this photo of my granddaughter exploring the beach in early light. See her long shadow? The foot caught in the air is a hint that I used a fast shutter speed!
DSLR tip: Switch to Shutter Mode and try a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster. This will freeze motion and help you get sharp photos of kids and pets on the move. If you’re unsure of Shutter Mode, go ahead and set the ISO to Auto. (I usually start with that!) That way, the ISO will handle the exposure.
iPhone tip: Use Burst Mode to capture kids and pets in motion. To start a burst, touch the shutter button and quickly sweep your finger to the left, then hold it there. Your iPhone will fire off a series of shots, and you can pick the best one afterward. You’ll see a count on the screen showing you how many images you’ve shot. You don’t need to leave it on for long!
4. Farmers’ markets and outdoor scenes
Color everywhere. Interesting people. Fresh produce that looks like it was arranged on purpose. A farmers’ market on a Saturday morning is the perfect place to practice spring photography, and nobody minds if you’re taking pictures.
And be sure to keep your eye out for wildlife. I spotted this bearded dragon riding around on its owner’s shoulder at the farmers’ market in Williamsburg, VA!
DSLR tip: Program Mode is perfect here. It lets the camera make exposure decisions while you stay focused on spotting great moments, compositions, and lizards.
iPhone tip: Try switching to Portrait Mode for close-up shots of produce or flowers at a market stand (or the occasional animal!) It adds that beautiful background blur that makes your subject stand out.
5. Spring photography in your own backyard or neighborhood
You really don’t have to travel anywhere. That flowering tree, that patch of sunshine on the porch, the dog in a warm spot by the window? These everyday moments turn into the photos you’ll actually treasure. And while you walk around, be sure to look down. Sometimes the best photos are the ones you’d miss if you didn’t have a photographer’s eye! I captured this flower along the sidewalk in Washington, DC, this spring. It was tiny and growing in a patch of weeds and leaves.
DSLR tip: Walk around your yard and look for small details you usually walk right past. Get low, get close, and try shooting from a different angle than usual.
iPhone tip: Turn on your grid lines if you haven’t already. Go to Settings, then Camera, then turn on Grid. It helps you line up your shots and think more like a photographer.
One Tip That Will Improve Your Spring Photography Immediately
Get closer to your subject.
Most people stand too far back. They capture a whole scene when what they really wanted was one good detail. This spring, try moving in closer before you press the shutter and fill the frame with your subject. This will even help you highlight a tiny flower growing in weeds and leaves along a sidewalk. And yes, the the springstar flower above was one of these flowers!
This works with flowers, people, food, and pets. It works with almost everything, and it makes a real difference. Try it on your very next shot and see what happens.
Now It’s Your Turn
Here’s your challenge: this week, take your camera outside and photograph one thing. One flower. One slice of morning light. One kid laughing. One corner of your backyard.
Just one photo. That’s it.
Once you start, you won’t want to stop. Spring photography has a way of pulling you in, and before long, you’ll be out there every morning looking for the next great shot.
And if you’re ready to feel more confident with your DSLR or mirrorless camera settings so you can make the most of all this spring light, I’d love for you to join me in my Camera Mechanics Workshop. We cover everything step by step, in plain English, with no overwhelm.
Happy shooting!
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