The beach is the most popular location here on Long Island for family photos. As a resident and family photographer based in Long Beach, NY, I absolutely understand why my clients choose the beach location. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful, but it is a place associated with family memories. We often go there for the quiet serenity of the ocean, the cooling ocean breeze, and to spend carefree days with our families, so it is no surprise that this location lends itself to images that tend to be more relaxed and interactive than other locations.

There are so many reasons why the beach is a wonderful choice for portraits. Here are some things you need to know about my approach to beach family portraits.

family walking along the ocean at sunset and laughing wearing rust and tan

Beach Sessions are Perfect for Toddlers

Toddlers can not be asked to sit still for an hour. It is an unreasonable expectation. Although I always sneak in some posed shots of your family, my goal is not to capture those types of photos. Instead, I want to see you relax, play, cuddle and bond at the beach. Of course, I pose and direct you throughout the session. In fact, I am always positioning you in the best light and capturing various angles throughout the session. I also give plenty of prompts to help facilitate the interaction. Sometimes, I don’t need to do so, it just comes naturally or we are following the lead of the children. Either way, this session is perfect for families who worry that their child will not sit still for family photos.

family dressed in rust and tan seated on the beach at sunset girl on dad's shoulders dune behind them

Movement Captures Emotions in Images

My goal is to always give you a gallery of images that make you feel something when you look at them. How do I capture those types of images? It all revolves around movement, which is what creates emotion in images. This means I will ask you to run around with your children, tickle them, hug them, kiss them and so forth. These actions all create and elicit an emotion, which will then be captured on camera for you.

Another reason why the beach works so well for this type of photography is because of the natural movement that the location provides. For example, the waves crashing on the shore and the wind flowing through your hair and clothing add dimension, not only provide visual interest, but they create drama in an image. Furthermore, I will always ask you to wear loose and flowing garments at the beach because this will accentuate and add to the movement of your images. All of these details amongst others will help set the fun and emotional vibe for your family photos.

mom kissing toddler on the beach and toddler girl with curly hair peaking over mom's shoulder dad throwing toddler in the air at the beach

family running along the beach at sunset with sun glowing orange behind them mom twirling baby

You Will Get Wet and Sandy

Ok…this is a big one. It is the beach, so there is no avoiding the sand. I love the shore line of the ocean. At sunset, it creates beautiful reflections and adds so much moodiness to images. I will ask you to walk along the shore line and, therefore, you will likely get wet. For those of you who are game to crouch down in the water and let the waves crash on you, our bravery will be rewarded. I live for mages in which the family is splashing around in the water and living their best life. Those photos are fun, packed with emotion and the ones you will want hanging on your walls. I will not ask you to swim in the ocean, fully submerge yourself or do anything like that, but simply asking you to crouch down or sit along the ocean’s edge is enough to capture those fun images.

family crouched down in the coean with waves crashin gon them and laughing kissing toddler girl sunset behind them earth toned wardrobe

family seated in ocean and reflection in water moody blue and pink clouds in the sky

Recent Family Session

This client contacted me because she lives here in Long Beach and was moving out of state. She said she wanted family photos that captured her family and how much fun they had here at the ocean. She came to the right place because fun family photos are my specialty. Her two year old daughter was a delight. She was so sweet, happy and playful. I fact, I laughed the entire session. This was my first beach sunset portrait session of the 2024 season and it set the bar high for me. I am obsessed with their entire gallery, but here are a few of my favorites.