Why I Love Beach Family Photography in San Diego
Living in San Diego, I have an unfair advantage as a family photographer.
We have some pretty amazing beaches.
But after photographing families at the beach for many years, I've realized that the beach isn't actually the reason I love beach family photography.
It's what the beach allows families to do.
Families don't have to sit still
One of my favorite things about photographing families at the beach is that nobody really expects to sit still.
And that's perfect for my style.
We can walk along the sand.
The kids can run.
They can play in the water.
You can hold hands.
Someone can be picked up.
Someone can get buried in the sand.
You can chase your children down the beach.
And somewhere in the middle of all of that, I get to photograph the real connections happening between you.
Those are the photographs I love.
The beach gives kids something to do
This is especially helpful with younger children.
Instead of asking a four-year-old to stand in one place and smile, we can give them something much more interesting to do.
Let's walk.
Let's find shells.
Let's see who can get their feet wet.
Let's run toward the water.
Let's see who can jump over the waves.
When kids are engaged in something, they forget about the camera.
And that's when their personalities start to come out.
You don't have to know how to pose
A lot of people tell me before a session:
"I'm terrible at pictures."
Or:
"I don't know how to pose."
Good.
You don't need to.
I'll guide you.
Sometimes I'll give you a specific pose, but more often I'll give you something to do.
Walk together.
Look at each other.
Hold your child's hand.
Pick them up.
Whisper something in their ear.
Run toward me.
And while you're doing that, I'm watching for the expressions and interactions that happen naturally.
That's how I create photographs that feel less like a photo shoot and more like your family.
San Diego's beach light is pretty incredible
And then, of course, there's the light.
There is a reason photographers love golden hour.
As the sun gets lower, the light becomes softer and warmer. It wraps around people instead of creating the harsh shadows we get in the middle of the day.
And when that light hits the beach, the sand, water and sky can create a beautiful, simple background.
I don't need a complicated setup.
Sometimes all I need is your family, the ocean and beautiful light.
What should you wear for a beach session?
Beach sessions are a great opportunity to keep things relaxed.
I usually recommend clothing that allows everyone to move comfortably.
Neutral and earthy colors can look beautiful against the sand and water, but you don't have to dress everyone in beige.
Pastel colors are wonderful at the beach too.
The important thing is that the clothes feel like your family.
And please don't feel like everyone needs to wear shoes.
Bare feet at the beach are completely appropriate—and often much more fun.
What if the kids get wet?
They probably will.
And I'm okay with that.
If you know your kids are going to want to play in the water, bring a towel and a change of clothes.
I would rather photograph your children having fun than spend the entire session telling them to stay away from the water.
Some of the most memorable photographs are the ones that happen when the plan changes.
The beach isn't the subject
This is probably the biggest thing I want people to understand about my photography.
Yes, San Diego beaches are beautiful.
But I'm not photographing the beach.
I'm photographing your family at the beach.
The ocean is the backdrop.
The sunset is the light.
The sand is the setting.
But the photographs are about the way your daughter looks at you.
The way your son grabs Dad's hand.
The way you hold your baby.
The way everyone laughs when someone gets splashed.
Those are the things that will mean something years from now.
And that's why I keep coming back to the beach.
Because it gives families room to be families.
And that's exactly what I want to photograph.
