Summer in Somerset is glorious. Long evenings, lush gardens, blue skies, and the kind of golden light that makes even a modest semi look like a country retreat. It's no wonder that summer is one of the most popular times to put a property on the market, and one of the best seasons for property photography.
But summer photography isn't as straightforward as pointing a camera at a sun-drenched garden. Harsh midday light, overexposed windows, wilting lawns, and the challenge of keeping interiors cool and inviting all require careful planning. Here's my complete guide to making the most of summer property photography in Somerset.
01Why Summer Works So Well for Property Photography
The advantages of summer photography are significant. Longer days mean more flexibility with shoot times, I can schedule sessions from 6am through to 9pm, which is impossible in winter when usable light disappears by 4pm. Gardens are at their peak, with flowers in bloom, hedges full, and lawns (usually) green. Outdoor spaces like patios, decking, and swimming pools look their most inviting.
Summer light also has a particular quality that flatters properties. The sun sits higher in the sky, which means more even illumination across facades and fewer harsh shadows from neighbouring buildings. Early morning and late evening light, the "golden hours", last longer in summer, giving me more time to capture that warm, inviting glow that makes buyers fall in love.
For Somerset specifically, summer showcases the county's greatest asset: its landscape. Drone shots of properties surrounded by green fields, the Mendip Hills, or the Somerset Levels in full summer glory are incredibly compelling. The Quantocks and Exmoor look spectacular, and coastal properties in Burnham-on-Sea, Minehead, and Clevedon benefit enormously from blue sea and sky.
02The Challenges of Summer Photography
Despite the advantages, summer brings its own set of challenges that require professional handling.
Harsh Midday Light
The biggest issue is contrast. When the sun is high and bright, the difference between the light outside a window and the interior of a room becomes extreme. A phone camera will either expose for the room (making the windows completely white) or expose for the view (making the room look like a cave). Professional HDR photography, shooting multiple exposures and blending them, is essential for balancing interior and exterior light in summer.
I typically shoot 5-7 brackets per room in summer, compared to 3-5 in overcast conditions. The extra exposures ensure I capture detail in both the brightest highlights and the deepest shadows.
Timing Is Everything
The best summer photography happens in the first two hours after sunrise and the last two hours before sunset. For a typical Somerset summer day, that means shooting between 6am-8am or 7pm-9pm for exterior shots. Midday sun creates harsh shadows under eaves, washes out facade colours, and makes gardens look flat.
For interior shots, slightly overcast days are actually ideal, the light is soft, even, and flattering. If the forecast shows cloud cover, that's often the best day for interior photography, with exterior shots saved for a clearer day.
Garden Preparation
Summer gardens can look spectacular or neglected, there's rarely a middle ground. Lawns that haven't been watered will show brown patches. Borders that haven't been weeded look untidy. Overgrown hedges can obscure the property itself.
My advice to sellers:
| Task | When to Do It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mow the lawn | 1-2 days before the shoot | Fresh stripes look immaculate; same-day mowing can leave clippings |
| Water the lawn | 2-3 days before (if dry) | Gives grass time to green up without looking wet |
| Weed borders | 2-3 days before | Clean edges frame the garden beautifully |
| Deadhead flowers | Morning of the shoot | Removes brown, wilted blooms |
| Clean patio/decking | Day before | Jet-washed surfaces photograph dramatically better |
| Set out garden furniture | Morning of the shoot | Creates lifestyle appeal, buyers imagine themselves there |
| Remove bins, hoses, toys | Morning of the shoot | Clutter-free gardens look larger and more inviting |
Overheating Interiors
On hot days, properties can feel stuffy and look uninviting. Open windows create curtain movement that blurs in photos. Fans and portable air conditioning units are eyesores. My recommendation is to ventilate the property thoroughly before the shoot, then close windows for the actual photography to keep curtains still and reduce exterior noise.
03Room-by-Room Summer Photography Tips
Living Rooms
Summer light flooding through windows is beautiful, but it can create hot spots on floors and furniture. I position my camera to avoid direct sun patches and use HDR to balance the exposure. Light, summery styling helps, fresh flowers, a bowl of fruit, or a throw draped casually over a sofa all suggest comfortable living.
Kitchens
Kitchens benefit enormously from summer light. Natural light on worktops and splashbacks makes them look clean and spacious. I'll often shoot kitchens with the window as a feature rather than a problem, letting the garden view become part of the composition.
Bedrooms
Fresh, light bedding is essential for summer photography. Heavy winter duvets and dark throws look oppressive. White or light-coloured bed linen, open curtains, and a vase of flowers create an airy, inviting feel.
Bathrooms
Clean, bright bathrooms photograph well in summer. Natural light through frosted glass creates a spa-like quality. Fresh white towels, a plant, and cleared surfaces are all that's needed.
Gardens and Outdoor Spaces
This is where summer photography really shines. I shoot gardens from multiple angles, ground level to show depth, elevated positions to show layout, and drone shots to show the full extent of the plot. Lifestyle elements like a set table, an open parasol, or a lit fire pit (for evening shoots) tell a story that static garden photos can't.
04Drone Photography in Summer
Summer is the best season for drone photography in Somerset. Clear skies, green landscapes, and long shadows in the golden hour create dramatic aerial images. Properties with large gardens, rural settings, or views benefit enormously from aerial shots that show their context.
For coastal properties in Burnham-on-Sea, Clevedon, and Minehead, summer drone photography captures the sea at its most inviting, blue water, sandy beaches, and the dramatic coastline that makes these areas so desirable.
One consideration: summer thermals can create turbulence for drones, particularly over dark surfaces like tarmac or slate roofs. I schedule drone flights for early morning or late evening when the air is calmer and the light is better.
05The Summer Photography Timeline
If you're planning to sell in summer, here's when to book your photography:
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| 4-6 weeks before listing | Book your photographer, summer is the busiest season |
| 2 weeks before | Start garden preparation (major pruning, planting) |
| 1 week before | Deep clean interior, declutter, and stage |
| 2-3 days before | Mow lawn, weed borders, clean patio |
| Day before | Final tidy, set out garden furniture, fresh flowers |
| Shoot day | Open curtains, turn on all lights, final walkthrough |
06What About Autumn and Winter Listings?
If you're reading this in summer but not planning to sell until autumn or winter, consider booking a summer photography session now. Properties photographed in summer with green gardens and blue skies consistently outperform those photographed in grey, bare winter conditions, even when listed months later.
I offer "bank" photography sessions where I shoot the property in its summer best, with the images held ready for whenever you decide to list. It's a small investment that can make a significant difference to your marketing.
07Book Your Summer Photography Session
Summer slots fill up fast, it's my busiest season. To ensure you get the best light and the best results, get in touch as early as possible. I cover all of Somerset, Bristol, Bath, and South Wales, with packages starting from just £149.
Related reading: Seasonal Property Photography: The Best Times to Shoot | Garden & Outdoor Space Photography Tips | The Best Time of Day to Photograph Your Property
For a free consultation or to check availability, get in touch or call 07545 450543.
Want to see these techniques in action? Browse my property photography across Somerset or get in touch for a quote.
