Sun, sand, and water make for some of the best and most heartwarming photo shoots I can imagine. There's so much potential for playing in the waves, running in the sand, and just looking so alive and beautiful in front of such a gorgeous and endless backdrop of the ocean. But just like any photo shoot, you usually want to know what to expect. And just like any good beach trip, beach photoshoots need some preparation!
A classic first question that clients often ask me is what should I wear?
My best suggestion is to not be too matchy. Don't put the whole family in white shirts and khakis. Feel free to play with some classic colors like white, blue, khaki, black etc, but don't feel like you all need to be wearing the same thing. In fact, I really recommend that you don't!
With the winds at the beach, dresses, skirts, or long, flowy tops can be beautiful outfit options for the girls and women in your family. It can create such dramatic photos with the flowiness of the skirt, and just look breathtaking. With that said, keep in mind the length of the dresses or skirts because of the wind!
Also, when you're picking out your outfits for a beach shoot, keep in mind that we are at the beach. There's sand, water, sea spray, and definitely some chance for you to get a little dirty. So don't bring anything that's too fancy! I really recommend bringing something that you don't mind getting a little wet and dirty, especially if you know your kids are going to want to jump in that water as soon as we let them.
Really feel free to wear whatever feels right for your family! It's also not a bad idea to bring a simple change of clothes just in case somebody gets a little too dirty or sandy. And definitely expect to be barefoot!
Another thing to think about with beach shoots is what exact beach we're going to.
The Jersey Shore is known for a few things- one of them being crowds. So it's not uncommon for me to want to schedule a weeknight shoot, so we can avoid some of those crowds. If you're looking to take your photos at the beach, keep this in mind! Some beach towns that have more of a residential population than summer rental crowd, think Avalon or Stone Harbor, often means that the beaches clear out earlier in the evening, with less people on the beach to contend. Shooting on a weeknight vs. a weekend though definitely helps as well!
Also, if you have toddlers or kids with really specific bedtime, sunset may be a hard time to get in the summer. So don't be afraid of a sunrise photo shoot! If your kids are more early risers, that may be a perfect time to get the best lighting and the least crowds at the beach.
Every beach is a little bit different, so trust me to do the research into the best spots and times for us to go. But be open to a little bit of flexibility here! Tides, weather, and crowds are changing all the time, so we're always going to have to be open to a little bit of adjustment when it comes to working with the wild ocean. I always put a rain date on my calendar for beach shoots, usually for the following night.
Pop up thunderstorms can be one of the biggest challenges I have found! Of course excessive wind is another element to consider. If it's so windy that we're being pelted with sand, that's a reschedule for me because I always want you to be happy with your experience.
While we're talking about weather, let's talk about the wind at the beach.
Wind is one of the biggest things that you have to expect at a beach photoshoot, but a good photographer is going to know how to work with it! The gusts at the beach can make for some of the most dramatic and beautiful shots.
I usually like to face my clients into the wind or find something to block it a bit for the portraits, but we'll use the rest of the session for more playful shots, and embrace the movement of fabrics and long hair in the wind. So be prepared for some flowing fabrics and wild hair!
We can also do more than just the beach for your photoshoot!
I love finding locations that include either a pier or rocks as well to incorporate. And if there's a boardwalk, consider if you’d like that incorporated into the shoot as well! I've started and ended shoots right on the boardwalk for ferris wheels and other unique elements to that particular beach that may be special to your family as a hometown or a vacation spot. Ocean City, NJ is one of my favorite places to get both boardwalk and beach shots in one session. There are wonderful locations in both Stone Harbor and Ocean City that have boats in the background. Cape May gives us the option to have the lighthouse in the background too. If you love having different feature than just the beach, let me know and we can find the perfect location.
Finally, when we’re looking to do a beach photoshoot, beaches are some of the best places for a true lifestyle photoshoot.
Lifestyle photography means that things move a little freer, photos are more candid, and there's a lot less posing. Your kids are free to run around, be silly, and yes, even get in the water if that's something you want! I always try to make sure to get the more refined portrait style shots before we get in the water, so don't worry, I'll make sure that we're getting all the portraits you want too!
Some of the best shoots I've ever had at the beach involve parents playing with their kids, embracing their excitement and curiosity, and risking getting wet for some magical images that their kids love forever. I just recommend bringing a change of clothes for everyone and some towels too for the ride home! And not just for the kids either.
If you keep all of this in mind a beach shoot can really be one of the most fun, playful sessions in addition to capturing breathtaking photos of your family. There's so much potential with the wind and the waves to really capture the personality and energy of your family. And with the right prep, we can capture some photos you will treasure forever!