In many ways taking pictures at the beach is more challenging and rewarding than taking pictures in a studio.
Tides, wind, sharp rocks and other visitors are all challenges which a photographer taking pictures at the beach must confront.
The following are tips for meeting the beach photography challenge.
1.
Get to the location early.
This will give you time to Scout out the best available locations.
Remember, unlike a studio, the beach is in constant change.
One location that was perfect during one shoot may be under water at a different time with a different tide.
By arriving early you can find the best locations for this particular shoot.
2.
Bring some props.
This is counter intuitive.
One would imagine that the props should belong in the Studio.
While this is true they can be of enormous help at the beach as well.
For example, it is highly unlikely that you or your clients will find a perfectly preserved starfish on the beach.
However, bringing a large dried starfish gives you an appropriate prop for small children to play with while posing in the sand.
Bring anything that looks like it might really be their during a beach vacation.
3.
Use the water.
Carefully craft a shot where the subjects will be getting wet.
Often this is the subject's favorite picture.
The expression on their faces as cold water begins to drench them is almost always genuine and priceless.
This should be one of your last shots.
Obviously once they are wet they are going to stay wet for the rest of the shoot.
These tips will help you capture endearing and enduring beach portraits and candids.