It’s that time of year! Each summer, families travel from all over to our beautiful beaches here on the Gulf Coast. Everyone dreams of capturing beautiful beach photos, and here at Wave – that’s what we do! We know all the tips and tricks for a successful beach session, and we are here to help you capture all of those sweet memories!
We are a TEAM of award-winning photographers with the most beautiful beaches right in our backyard! Our team has documented surprise engagements, cake smashes, seniors, families and more on these white sands, and we would love to do the same for you!
When to schedule:
Since we have a whole team of photographers at Wave, we have availability Monday-Friday for evening sunset shoots. If you are vacationing, we recommend scheduling your photo session to take place early in your trip. This gives you some wiggle room, in case we need to reschedule due to weather.
If there’s one thing to know, it’s that Florida weather will always be unpredictable. We can have rain and beautiful sunshine all the same day! You never know what to expect, but know that we have your back! Your photographer will keep an eye on the weather on the day of your session. Even if the weather isn’t cooperating before your session, don’t count us out! Some of our very favorite sunsets EVER come right after the rain!
Another reason to have your shoot at the beginning of your vacation is to avoid those sunburns! No one wants to look like a lobster in their photos!
What to expect:
If you have a large family or group of 15 or more people, we always send a second shooter to your session. This allows us to make the most of our time with you. If you have a priority list when it comes to the photos you are looking for, let your photographer know during your consultation! They will typically try to begin with pictures of the kiddos before their attention span starts to dwindle. If they aren’t interested in sitting still for photos, that’s okay! Our team is excellent at making magic in the candid moments where your children are running all over the beach. By using two photographers, we can make sure everyone gets time to take photos during that perfect golden hour!
Who should be involved:
Short answer: whoever you want! If that is you and your husband – perfect! If that includes your kids’ nanny or 15 of your closest friends, bring them along too! We have taken beach photos for families with great grandparents meeting their great grandchildren for the first time, surprise engagements, family reunions, and more! These are moments that will literally last a lifetime so gather all your loved ones and head to the beach!
Kids tend to have a short attention span…especially when there is sand and the ocean involved. We prefer to begin your session with photos of the little ones before they get too distracted! If you have grandparents or extended family on vacation with you, bring them along to help us get the kids looking at the camera and smiling for photos! Some kids HATE sand and refuse to touch or be touched by it. To find out if this is the case for your little one, make sure you take them out to the beach before your session! If they can’t stand the feeling of sand sticking all over them, make sure to bring a blanket or something for them to sit on sand-free!
Where to have your family photographed:
Trust us when it comes to where to take your beach photos! We have taken photos ALL over the Gulf Coast, and we know all the hidden gems on the coastline! We recommend private beaches or state parks. We want to avoid all the distracting things that come along with public beaches- coolers, umbrellas, and worst of all…bikini bombers!
What to wear:
Coordination is key! Everyone loves the classic all-white pictures but don’t be afraid to branch out! We love neutrals and light, airy colors around here. This allows you to take those bright and classic beach photos that never go out of style! There is a difference between matching and coordinating. The best thing to do is stay away from a bunch of wild, loud patterns – this can get distracting and leaves people looking at your clothing rather than your smiling faces. That being said, don’t be afraid to add a little texture!
One thing people don’t always think of is shoes! Make an executive decision for everyone on shoes when it comes to wearing them or not. It looks best when everyone is on the same page! Just remember when picking shoes- sand can be tricky!
Most importantly, wear something you feel good in! No one wants to suffer through photos wearing an outfit that doesn’t fit well or make them feel confident. Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and fabulous! Try giving your outfits a test run! If the little ones are wearing an outfit they are unhappy with, it will show in your photos!
How to plan for success:
If your family has been traveling and kiddos have been riding in the car for hours, give them a day or two to rest up! Try to make sure everybody is well-rested, but remember that we can still get rid of those sleepy under-eye bags if we need to! Our photographers always recommend a sunset beach session, which can start around 7 p.m. in the middle of the summer. Since this can get close to bedtime for the little ones, we recommend trying to get them down for a little late afternoon nap to ensure they are ready for a later evening and a fun family beach session!
Last but certainly not least: RELAX and have fun!! All of your hard work coordinating everyone has paid off, and now it’s time to enjoy these moments with your family. Don’t feel like you have to pose for the camera. Some of our favorite shots are the natural interactions between the family!