Our local beaches provide striking backgrounds for portraits of any kind, from teenagers and friends to couples and families. The possibilities for gorgeous shots are endless, including walking or running on the sand, stepping into the water, or sitting together on the beach or sand dunes. If you are considering the beach as the location for your photo shoot, here are three tips to keep in mind:
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Full Sunlight is Not Your Friend
You may think that the best time to schedule a photo shoot on the beach is during a summer day when the sun is on full display in a cloudless sky. In reality, these conditions are not the best background for capturing portraits and candid shots. Full afternoon sun can be harsh, as opposed to the soft and gentle light about an hour before sunset. Plus, standing in the sun makes most people squint, and cloudless skies do not photograph well. Some of the best times to book a photo shoot are just before sunset or right before a storm moves in and the sky is cloudy and colourful.
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Let Your Children Play
Even if your oldest child understands how to sit for a portrait, the chances are that all of your kids will simply want to play the minute you arrive on the beach for a shoot. Trying to corral them into a shot immediately may cause tantrums and tears. Instead, providing them with several minutes of play gives me the opportunity to capture candid, stunning shots. After a bit of time playing with the sand or beach toys, we may transition to some moving shots, such as walking or running down the beach. After that, it will be easier to collect the entire family for some seated or standing group shots if the children have had the chance to play for a while.
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Embrace Beach-Worthy Hair
Professional headshots are typically shot in studios, where the environment and lighting are completely controllable. If you are planning a photo shoot on the beach, you should understand that the outdoor environment is much more casual and variable than a studio setting. This is not the time to worry about your haircut or fringe, but rather to embrace all aspects of the beach – including the wind! In fact, I refer to free-flowing, naturally wind-blown hair as mermaid hair, which is quite gorgeous for moms and daughters alike. Plus, the less you worry about your hair, the more likely you will be to enjoy yourself on set and enable me to capture carefree, happy portraits of you and your family.
Is Beach Photography Right for You?
Beaches can be the perfect background for any photo shoot. However, if you like the idea of outdoor photography but are not sure if a waterside location is right for you, feel free to give me a call. We can chat about the possibilities for your session and plan a fun outing that can be captured on camera and treasured for years to come.
Talk soon,
Margherita :)
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