Client Question

[Jusselin]

Ok so a client is paying for my brother and i to go to South Padre Island to take some photos...I have NEVER shot at the beach really, SOOOOOO, here are my concerns.

1. Any precautions i need to take with my camera? I really dont want to change lenses at the beach.

2. They want family photos....is the beach a good place for that? Seems like the scenery would not be much more than beach and water....not really sure how we could get several family photos out of that....

Does any one have any advice for me?

[HotHolly]

Shooting at the beach is difficult. Between the wind and sun, it's hard. My main tip is to use your histograms and totally ignore your LCD. Pay close attention to your exposures. As for family photos - I'd put them some where you can control things a bit more, and use the beach to grab some awesome couple shots.

[Dobick]

there are almost always the dunes with shubs and greenery growing out of them that make for nice fun places to play, and if the light gets right, the glowing sunset makes for some spectacular scenery to complement a family with.

I just googled family beach photography, and the whole first two pages of images have some nice photos, but all of them are wearing white and khakis. It is a clean look, but you might want to try something else to set them apart a bit.

[Shelby Lane]

I do family portraits on the beach every year and no, there isn't a ton of variety as far as background, but they book the session because they specifically want the beach, and that is the look they want. I go out to North Padre, because it's way closer for us, and the dunes are a good backdrop (however, for anyone who does go out there to shoot: they don't want you going out into the dunes because of the potential damage to turtle eggs).

As others have pointed out, the variety you offer might rely more on posing than on location, and you do have to fight the wind (hair will be a mess, reflectors are... difficult). I would also recommend choosing a time of day with good light, so you don't have to drag equipment for that many people. But depending on where you are on South Padre you can find other casual locations not far from the actual beach, so that makes it a little better than some other areas. The key to family sessions is getting some more traditional shots of the entire family (depending on how traditional your clients are) and then breaking them down into smaller groups:

mom and dad
kids together
girls together
boys together
girls with mom/girls with dad
boys with dad/boys with mom

If grandparents or extended family are involved, we do some shots of the whole group and then break down into family groups, grandparents with grandkids, the adult children together, etc.

Good luck!

PS -- don't change lenses on the beach, and make sure to give your lenses time to acclimate to the warmth and humidity.

[J Eddington]

Plan the time you will shoot, the earlier or later in the day will be best. If not and you have no shade, prepare and take a diffuser and keep them out of white clothes :)

[Jusselin]

thanks for your replies every one....i think i am going to recomened a nice location i know is great for the family shots and try to change their minds....if all else fails then the beach it is...