The Wrong Way to Take Pictures at the Beach

Yesterday my girls and I spent the day at the beach. It was the perfect day! Not too hot, not too windy. My only complaint was that is was super crowded. But who could blame all those people for wanting to delight in such a gorgeous summer day?

On days like this, I struggle with the same question. Should I bring my camera? Sand and water can cause serious damage to your gear, but as long as you’re careful your camera can be a worthwhile addition to any vacation or day trip.

If you’re traveling to the beach this summer and want to capture pictures of your kids building sand castles or splashing in the ocean, here are a few things to avoid doing.

Switching lenses. If I’m shooting for a client, I choose one lens and stick with it. I don’t want to risk getting sand inside. Choose a wider angled lens so that you can include more of the landscape.

Bringing one beach bag. Use one bag for snacks, drinks and towels. All that stuff might end up with sand on it so a second bag to keep your gear safe is best. You could also put your camera in a ziploc bag and then inside the second beach bag for added protection.

Shooting into the sun. Try to keep the sun at your back. If you ask the kids to look at you, they’ll likely squint because the sun is in their eyes. Get shots of them playing in the sand or have them lit from the side. If possible, you can also wait to use your camera until a little later in the day. The sun will be lower in the sky.

Forgetting the details. Yes you want pictures with your kids in them, but it’s also fun to include the details of the day. Sand on their toes, boogie boards, towels, flying kites, umbrellas, seashells, buckets and pails, the lifeguard stand, etc. Details help to tell the story.

If bringing your big camera sea side makes you a little nervous, stick to your phone. That’s what I did yesterday. One of my favorite shots wasn’t even of the girls. Lol! We went to Seven President’s Beach in Long Branch and I just love the mix of blue and green. When you travel to other parts of the Jersey Shore, all you get is sand and boardwalk. This was such a beautiful spot and I couldn’t help thinking how awesome it would be to bring a family there for a session.

Here are a few shots from a recent family shoot on the beach. These shots were all taken about 90 minutes before sunset. In NJ, the sun sets over the bay and not the ocean so once it dips behind the houses, you have beautiful, even light to work with.