I learn something new at each and every photography session I do. Whether it has to do with posing and cropping (like making sure to leave PLENTY of room around images for cropping photos to different print sizes – more on this in another post…) or hand placement (“gender reveal” maternity images without proper hand placement can potentially look like “oopsy” engagement sessions!) or camera settings (running children need a FAST shutter speed to crisply capture their energy!), the point is, there is always more to learn.

Most of the time, these “lessons learned” are photography-based. Sometimes, however, they are not.

Take my photography session last week – a family session at the beach around 6 pm. Now, I’m normally pretty good about trying to get in my 8 glasses of water a day. But sometimes when I’m prepping for a session, my mind is SO focused on my equipment and poses and props that I may forget a glass. Or 2. Or 8.

So basically I hadn’t drank any water all day.

And it is hot in Virginia Beach.

Let me say that again. It is HOT in Virginia Beach.

Last week, for my 6 pm beach session it was 97 degrees outside, and felt like 107.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE.

The point is, it was hot, I was hot, and I was dehydrated. And after about 45 minutes on the beach I very nearly fainted right there at the shoreline next to my adorable blonde-haired, blue-eyed, two-year old model.

Fortunately, I was able to finish the session and Nana – the little boy’s grandmother – came to the rescue with a cool, wet cloth. Thanks, Nana!

As soon as I got back to the car I chugged my entire water bottle and waited for the AC to kick on before starting my journey home.

Have I mentioned it’s HOT in Virginia Beach?!??

Today’s lesson learned: Water is good. Dehydration is bad. ALWAYS make sure to be properly hydrated before a session. Especially when the high for the day is 102.