There is so much to love about summer, but maybe my favorite element of the warmest season of the year is water. Water effortlessly captures the essence of summer, in almost all its forms.

Here are a few of my favorite tips for taking amazing summer photographs around the water:

• Composition Matters

As a photographer (whether hobbyist or professional), I'm sure you've at least heard of the "rule of thirds". Graduate beyond the rule of thirds by using leading lines, framing your subject in an interesting way, or allowing more negative space than perhaps you normally would.

• So Does Light

The summer sun can add the most stunning glow to your pictures. The glorious back light available during the middle of the year is one of my favorite session "tools". Wait for the golden hour and visit your favorite local beach. If you don't have a large body of water nearby, surprise the kids by turning on the sprinkler or visiting your local pool for an evening swim. Let them play! The way water takes hold of sunlight is nothing short of magical. You can even experiment with different focal lengths to get the mood you want to evoke.