Barefoot in the Sand...

This weekend my family traveled with our good friends to Chatham, MA on Cape Cod. I had the opportunity to capture family photos at Lighthouse Beach and a private home on a beautiful, albeit windy evening. Portrait sessions at the beach are my favorite! Coastal colors- the blues of the ocean, the beige of the sand, the green of the sea grass, and some bright flowers- create a beautiful backdrop for your family. Oftentimes, families are on vacation at the beach so that adds to the relaxed vibe of the shoot which brings out those natural smiles and joy. When you choose to have your family photos on the beach, be ready for the unexpected. Unpredictable weather, wildlife and lots of sand will come with the territory. The fog may roll in at a moment's notice but just go with it! Foggy photos can be some of the most beautiful and intriguing.

As you prepare for your family photos at the beach, there are a few things I would recommend. For your outfits, think of complimentary colors amongst your group. You don't all have to be in white shirts and beige bottoms. Summer colors for outfits are generally very complimentary and having some variation in your clothing can make your photos more interesting. Navy, light blue, greens, yellows, pinks, whites and more all look beautiful against a coastal backdrop. Avoid patterns in more than one person's outfit unless they are an exact match as that can be very distracting. Also, think about your hairstyles with possible wind and bring a brush with you for a quick adjustment. If you have longer hair and are planning to wear it down, throw a clip in your bag in case it's windier than you thought and you want to pull it up. Lastly, if you have littles, throw some wipes in your bag. Some kids don't love the feeling of sand on their hands or swipe wet sand on their face and need a quick touch up!

Beach portraits are a perfect way to highlight a favorite summer spot or commemorate a family vacation. Once your more formal portraits are done- have FUN! Play in the sand and in the waves and get some more casual moments captured as well. I currently have select travel dates currently available for some Cape Cod and Nantucket photo shoots. Drop me a message here and hopefully we can work together.

xo- Lisa