6 Tips for the Psychedelic Film Session of Your Dreams

Nothing feels more like summer than a psychedelic film session at Barton Springs: bright midday sunlight, carefree dips in the pool, and sizzling splashes of color. As an Austin family photographer, these sessions have quickly become some of my favorites to photograph. Not only do they capture the true essence of the season, but they also distill your family’s colorful, chaotic energy into beautifully authentic frames.

Planning a psychedelic film session feels a lot like breaking the “rules” of traditional portrait photography. After all, we’re shooting at midday instead of golden hour (bring on the sun!), and you’re encouraged to get wet and have fun (because perfectly posed, not-a-hair-out-of-place portraits are overrated). If you’re preparing for your first session, you might be wondering how to make the most of the experience. Never fear—today I’m sharing my top six tips for portraits that absolutely shine on psychedelic film.

6 Tips for Your Psychedelic Film Session

Bring a Colorful Blanket

You’ll be sitting on the grass for part of the session, so having something soft to lie on is important. I suggest a colorful blanket, a striped beach towel, or anything else that contrasts nicely with what you’re wearing. Psychedelic film loves bold color, so don’t be afraid to bring the brightest item you own!

Don’t Forget the Props

Props bring your session to life! Think bubbles, oversized sunglasses, hula hoops, a skirt that twirls, inner tubes, or your kiddos’ favorite pool toys—the sky’s the limit. These little extras help create fun, lively images that reflect your family’s summertime personality. Think about what you’d naturally reach for on a poolside afternoon, and start there.

Wear Layers

Mixing up your look is a great way to add variety to your gallery. I recommend starting the session in a cover-up for the grass portion, then changing into your favorite swimsuit once we head to the pool.

If you’re feeling even a little unsure about the swimsuit portion, we can absolutely focus more on images with your cover-up on. My sessions are all about helping you tap into your most confident, authentic self, so please let me know how I can help you feel your most comfortable.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

As every Austin local knows, the midday heat is no joke. Be sure to bring plenty of water for everyone involved in the session! The better hydrated you are, the more energized and comfortable you’ll feel—and that always leads to more joyful, memorable portraits.

Think Colorful

Neutral outfits definitely have their place, but a psychedelic film session isn’t one of them! The film I use creates beautiful reddish-pink and green light leaks, and those effects look their best when there’s plenty of color throughout the image.

These portraits are meant to feel retro, playful, and just a little wild. Don’t be afraid to fully embrace the vibe!

Picture These Images in Your Home

These images aren’t just meant to live on your Instagram grid. They’re meant to be printed large and displayed on your walls.

My goal is to create timeless, standout artwork for your home—something hanging above your console or sofa that makes you smile every time you walk by. As you’re choosing outfits and props, think about the colors you’d love to see in your living room, and let that inspire your choices.

Ready for Your Psychedelic Film Session?

A psychedelic film session isn’t just an opportunity for updated family portraits. It’s an invitation to soak up the summer sunshine, perfect your cannonball, and make the kind of memories that linger long after the day is over.

Bold, silly, and delightfully funky—just like your family.

Now that you know how to prepare, the only thing left to do is book your session! Reach out to me. I can’t wait to meet your crew and capture your one-of-a-kind magic.