What do I wear?
Many families book their session at the last minute, impulsively, and then end up drawing a blank deciding what to wear. No need to worry!
Beach portraits are intended to be casual but that doesn't mean you can't dress up! It is entirely up to you and your family. But what you should definitely do is be cohesive.
Cool tones such as the blue family of blue, aqua, sapphire, navy and teal look great at the beach. Warmer tones like red, coral, yellow, beige work well too.
Try not to wear loud prints. A softer, smaller print on one or two of your group, color coordinated will work. Its ok to mix and match the prints as well but make sure there are enough with solids to break it up some. Mix and match cool tones with warm tones. One of my favorites is navy with yellows. Or teal with corals. Blues with whites. Even black will work if you add in another color to break up the group. The key is to coordinate.
One last thing about colors--I've noticed that the pale pastels really seem to wash out your portraits. If you like the light and airy, pastels will work. But if you want to stand out against the gorgeous backdrop we call Myrtle Beach, wear some bold shades that will really stand out and contrast against the background.
Wear something comfortable! We will be walking around and getting into position often. Avoid short skirts because those will limit our available poses. Avoid tight skirts as well since a least one or two poses will be sitting on the beach. Yes, you will be sitting in the sand! Be prepared. The best poses for families is a combination of sitting and kneeling.
I know its hard and awkward to get down to the beach to sit and worse trying to get up. You'll see me rolling around on the sand to get a good vantage point of you. I feel just as awkward but you will have a much nice collection having these sitting poses as part of your portfolio. But if there is someone in your group that absolutely positively can't get down to the sand, please give me a headsup before the session so that I can plan alternative poses for your family.
What about my hair?
Yes ladies. It is windy on the beach! Unfortunately I can't do much about the wind so be aware! If you have long hair and occasionally wear it pulled back, now might be one of those times to do so. Use lots of hairspray. It won't necessarily stay in place but it'll help with holding the curl and style you've achieved.
If it is exceedingly windy, I will position you so that it blows the hair away from the face. Wind blowing away from your face may not be attractive but it is better than blowing onto your face.
Again, wind is inevitable and is unpredictable. I can not control it and will not cancel for it. But I will try to work with it, find ways around it and do my best to mitigate. You can do your part by tying your hair back with clips, braids or other means. Be conscientous of not only your own hair in your face but your children's. Husbands can hold long hair behind your back or even block the wind from you.
Wind WILL limit where we take our shots so bear with me while I judge the wind and the sun prior to beginning your session.
Kids
Let's face it. Most kids do not want their pictures taken! And when they get to the beach, they just want to play. They all do.
I do my best to get their attention when shooting the portraits. I generally will take several snaps in a row to ensure I get shots without the blinks, distractions and non-smiles. I am not always successful. If they have a special toy that makes them smile, bring it along and I'll use it to get their attention.
Most importantly, though, is that I need all adults and older kids looking at me with a smile so that when I get the little ones to smile, I can snap right away and not have to worry about the rest of the group.
Often parents and relatives are turning toward a smaller child trying to get them to look at me. That only results in getting a picture with neither looking at the camera.
To help your kids prepare, let them know what they will be doing and what will be expected. Let them know it is only for an hour or less and perhaps have something fun planned for after the session will entice them stay motivated to get the photos done. Make sure kids have had something to eat prior to the session.
Finally, once the posed photos are pretty much out of the way, its nice to let the littles play naturally so I can capture some candids.
Good to Know
Relax and be happy!
Tan lines--We know you're at the beach but take care that if you have tan lines to make sure to wear something to cover them up if you do not want them shown in pictures. I don't airbrush them or edit straps out.
Sunburn--Sorry, I won't airbrush or mitigate sunburn.
Bra straps--let's make sure they're hidden ladies! I don't edit them out.
Feet--They will be visible in shots. Pedicures are great but if you don't get pedicures, have your feet ready to be photographed!
Sand--You will have sand on your, on your feet, on your legs. Be aware of that and briefly brush off the sand from time to time on yourself and your children. I can't edit sand off you.
Crotch shots--When I pose you sitting and say "face that way", my goal is to avoid capturing an embarrassing shot so make sure you're not revealing any more than we should in your photos!
Natural smiles--I don't know what your or your child's natural smile is. I am going to capture what looks like a smile to me. If you want your child to smile naturally, stand BEHIND me to get them to smile. If you're off to the side of me, their eyes will be looking at you. Be thinking of something that makes them smile naturally or laugh. I had one parents yelling about boogers. Hey, if it makes your child smile or laugh, bring it!
Water--You will likely get wet at some point. The most beautiful of photos are at the water's edges with your reflection showing in the surf. The waves will hit you at some point. Have a little bit of wet clothing is not something fret about. Those that see your portraits will see that you're at the beach! Embrace it and own it!
Lotion--Ladies (and men), don't put lotion on your legs. You'll end up with sand stuck to your legs and I can't get that out with my editing.
Sand--Speaking of sand, bring towels to your session so you can brush sand off as we are shooting. If you can get some wet wipes before you come, they help with the feet that will end up with black sand stains on them.
Cell phones, keys, wallets--Leave them in the car or have a bag you carry with you while on the beach. These bulky items in your pockets are very unflattering. Wearing your cell phone on your belt is also...well, ugly. You don't want them in your pictures.
Cell phone pictures--Many photographers prohibit family members from taking photos with their cell phones while the photographer is shooting. I have been VERY lenient by not saying anything to my clients while they do this. But consider this.....every time someone is standing off to the side taking photos of what I am capturing, there are eyes pointing to that person INSTEAD of me. I am usually patient and wait so that I can get my shot. But think about it. You have paid me good money to get these shots. If you just want cell phone photos, why hire me? Put the phones away and let me capture some beautiful portraits of you and your family. Bottomline, I will be starting to be more stringent about it going forward. If anyone is taking cell phones pictures while I am, I am going to just go with the shot where half the group isn't looking at me and then move on.