Spring is here! Summer is approaching! Let's go outside and play for a while!

Remember how exciting summers were as a kid? Running in and out of the house, chasing down the ice cream truck and smacking at mosquitoes nibbling on our ankles -- ah, now those were the good old days! But being stock photographers, we have a license to embrace spring and summer with a childlike zeal, having the same kind of fun we used to have every time we ventured outdoors.

When it comes to getting the most out of our outdoor shots, I always try to remember two things: props and location. Bringing along just the right item, or spending a few minutes of your drive to head to an out-of-the-way spot can lead to stock shots that sell--and can lead to some great stories to tell at your next ...