One of my favorite things about being a senior photographer is that I have the opportunity to work all over the state of Oregon, in various locations. As a state that borders the Pacific Ocean, beach sessions are something I am obsessed with! It’s a no-brainer why we offer beach sessions as an option to our senior clients. Whether you live in a coast state or simply a work with expansive, open spaces, here are our 6 Tips for Shooting at the Beach (or other Full-Sun Locations).
1MOVE AROUND THE AREA & HAVE YOUR SUBJECT MOVE AROUND YOU Shooting in wide-open, full-sun locations like the beach can be exciting and daunting- all at the same time. Of course, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, which doesn’t leave much to complain about. However, as photographers, it can be challenging to shoot in an open space, as there is no escaping the sun and there generally isn’t a lot of variation in the background. This is why it is key to move around the area and have your subject move around you. Switching up the perspective and angle will guarantee a well-rounded portfolio of images without the necessity of changing locations. Break up each of the elements into areas (sand, ocean, rocks/cliffs, beachgrass, etc.) and then photograph your client in each of the areas with various poses and angles. This will make it look like you moved to numerous locations, even though each area may only be ten to fifteen feet apart.
2SHOOT WITH A SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD In my humble opinion, there are several reasons why you should keep a larger aperture setting on your camera when working in an open area, like the beach. Although it is a beautiful location, the focus should always remain on your subject, if you are a portrait photographer. I am all about gorgeous backdrops, but I never want them to outshine or overshadow my client. With a shallow depth of field, it keeps a bit of mystery as to what is in the background and it also eliminates harsh, distracting horizon lines. Because I shoot strictly with natural light, I’m not concerned with overexposing the sky, it’s part of my style and just isn’t something I try to capture in my images. To give you an idea, the majority of images used in this post were taken at f/2.8 or lower.
3SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION AROUND THE SUN As a girl who loves to shoot at all times of the day, I know better than to schedule a beach session at noon. As a natural light photographer who tends to shoot solo, this just isn’t realistic with how harsh the sun is at that time of day. When working in a wide-open space, you have to respect the sun. Pay attention to what time the sun is rising and setting, based on the time of year you are shooting and plan accordingly. When working at the beach, I prefer to shoot in the evening, typically 3-4 hours before sunset. The sun is still high enough in the sky that we have ample light to work with, yet soft enough that we can shoot directly in it, too. Morning sessions are also beautiful, if I lived on the East Coast, I would likely prefer that time of day because of where the sun is in relation to the Atlantic. Because I like in Oregon and sun sets on the Pacific, I prefer evenings. It’s all about personal preference, try both and see which time of day best suits your personal style.
4PLAY WITH THE LIGHT When shooting at the beach, find new ways to work with the sun. Backlighting is absolutely beautiful and gives off a soft, dreamy look that is quite captivating. This is achieved by positioning your subject between you and the sun, if it’s low enough in the sky, you can also catch some beautiful, natural sun flare in your images, too. If you’re shooting in the last hours of the day, you can also face your clients toward the sun without it being too harsh or causing them to squint. Lastly, if there is any shade available from trees, cliffs or structures, I suggest taking full advantage of it.
5EMBRACE THE WIND This might seem like a silly tip, but when it comes to working in a wide-open space, wind is pretty much inevitable. While it can be a bit of a nuisance, I actually love the added drama that wind brings to an image. Not only does it look natural when shooting on-location, it also helps tell the story of your session and simply adds unique beauty to your shots. When working with windy conditions, I start by to positioning my client in the direction of the wind, which prevents her hair from blowing across their face, allowing me to get her pose situated and hands where I want them. Patience is vital, as it typically takes a few attempts before nailing the perfect shot. One of my favorite poses for a windy day is having my subject look down or away with her hair blowing in the breeze. So pretty!
6JUST HAVE FUN This is a given tip with every session you do! Seriously, friends, just have fun! The awesome thing about photography is that you are only bound by your own creativity. Explore your location and don’t get frustrated by the elements. Take the time to shoot each of your poses multiple ways, you just never know what you might get and the results could surprise you! Now get out there and create something beautiful!
