Planning family photos at the beach should feel exciting—not stressful.
If you’re visiting 30A, Destin, or Santa Rosa Beach, there are just a few simple things that can make a huge difference in how your photos turn out.
After years of photographing families along the Emerald Coast, here’s what actually matters (and what doesn’t)

When to Schedule Your Session
The biggest factor in beautiful beach photos is light.
We schedule sessions in the hour before sunset, when the sun is lower, softer, and more flattering. Midday light is harsh, creates strong shadows, and can make everyone squint—so we avoid it whenever possible.
If you’re visiting, try to book your session early in your trip.
That way:

• No one is sunburned yet
• We have flexibility if the weather needs to shift
• You’re not stressed trying to fit it in at the last minute 

Choosing the Right Type of Session
Not all sessions are created equal, and choosing the right one makes everything easier.

• Mini Sessions
  Best for small groups who want something quick and simple. Limited time means less variety and less flexibility.
• Classic Sessions
  The most popular option. More time for natural posing, movement, and a relaxed pace.
• Group Sessions
  Ideal for large families or multiple families together. More time is needed to organize and capture everyone well—especially with young children.
• ​If you’re unsure, we’ll help guide you based on your group size and what you’re hoping for.
  

What to Wear for Beach Photos
​This is one of the most common questions—and it makes a big difference.
A few simple guidelines:

• Stick with light, neutral colors
• Avoid logos and bold patterns
• Softer, flowy fabrics photograph beautifully
• Coordinate, don’t match exactly

The goal is to keep the focus on your family—not the clothing. We go a little more in depth in the article "What to Wear for Beach Photos" 

​What to Expect During Your Session
Most people feel a little unsure about being in front of the camera—and that’s completely normal.
You don’t need to know how to pose.
We guide you the entire time:

• Where to stand
• What to do with your hands
• How to interact naturally

We keep things moving so it feels relaxed, not stiff or overly posed. The best images come from natural moments, not forced smiles.

​Special Situations & Comfort
Every family is different, and we approach sessions with that in mind.
Whether it’s:

• A child on the spectrum
• Someone who feels uncomfortable in photos
• A large or blended family

We take the time to make everyone feel at ease and create an experience that works for you.

After Your Session
​After your session, your images are carefully edited and delivered in an online gallery.
Typical turnaround time:

• 2–4 weeks
• Summer months: up to 3–5 weeks

From there, you’ll be able to download your images and order prints if you’d like.
Curious about our editing process? You can read about it HERE. 

​Ready to Plan Your Session?
​If you’re thinking about booking family photos along 30A, we’d love to help.
Tell us your dates, your group size, and what you’re hoping for—we’ll guide you through the rest and make the process simple and stress-free. You can reach us at [email protected] or through our contact form.

As family photographers in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and along 30A, one of the most common questions we hear is, "What should we wear for beach photos?"
The good news is that choosing outfits doesn't have to be stressful. A few simple guidelines can help your family look coordinated, comfortable, and timeless in your portraits.

When planning outfits for beach portraits, the goal isn’t perfection or matching head-to-toe. The goal is coordination, comfort, and clothing that feels like you on your best day. What you wear helps tell the story of who you are as a family, and it should feel natural, not forced.

Florida weather can be finicky, beautiful one minute, pouring the next. It can be tricky to anticipate, you can't always rely on the app because 100% may mean it will rain down the street but not where you are. 

Our best bet is always to schedule early in the vacation. If the weather does not cooperate we will try to reschedule. 

Our biggest weather concern actually isn't rain. Our biggest concerns are lightening and wind. There are not many lightening rods near an open beach and we do not want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt, nor do we want to end up on the front page of Yahoo as 'the photographer who let their clients get struck by lightening'. 
Wind is not just annoying to deal with (check out our blog about beach blown hair) . Once it gets around 15mph the wind will pick up the sand and sandblast you. And by sandblast I mean blast, in the movies you see the annoyance of sand storms with sand in their eyes and mouths but what they don't tell you is how much it hurts! Each piece feels like a little ant bites and yes, it does get in your eyes, your hair, your clothes, and our equipment. We will not shoot in wind above 12mph. Anything above 10mph will blow your hair and clothing, making editing extremely long and hard.
Other weather concern we look at are fog and high humidity. I have had to cancel shoots in the past after showing up and attempting to shoot but not be able to see the clients 3 feet away or my inner lens fog up and not work properly.

If your goal is not to have just a picture on the beach but to capture a special moment or finally have everyone in one place, we WILL find a way. I can come to your home, rent a conference room at a hotel, I have been known to wait inside my car next to my clients and rush out when there is a break in the rain to at least grab that one group shot. 

Weather apps are constantly updating. It can help give us an idea of what to expect on the day but we do not depend on them. We like to wait until the day of to make a decision. We will wait until just before the clients begins getting ready for the session. We don't want you to spend a long time getting all dressed up, bribing the kids and hubby, only to do it all over again the next day. We will get in touch a few hours before we are to meet and make a judgement call. We take in account the weather radar, the percentage at the time, the presence of thunder. While we do keep an eye on several weather apps the most reliable information can be found with the radar a few hours before the session. We may just need to move it up a few minutes to avoid early sunset or we may need to reschedule to a later mutual date.
We are not opposed to shooting in light rain, at the request of the client. Pouring rain will effect our equipment and hinder the shot.   

The retainer fee is non refundable however it is transferable. If we cannot find a mutual date to reschedule during the current vacation we can transfer it to a future date. 
If Amy or Caitie find the conditions not favorable and the client wants to try anyway we will drive out and wait for the rain recede up to 15 minutes. Any longer than that and we lose the light. In this instance the retainer fee is utilized that day and is no longer transferable. 

​Weather at the beach is famously unpredictable. With no trees to provide shade or block the wind, you're at the mercy of the elements. The water can be crystal clear or teeming with seaweed, calm as a lake or wild with waves. The sky might be brilliantly sunny, hazy with intense fog, or painted with vibrant colors. We've learned to adapt to any situation—embracing the unpredictability is key. After all, you can't control Mother Nature, so the best approach is to go with the flow.

Read below to find out how we handle sessions when excessive wind is present.

We absolutely love photographing children. They are honest, expressive, funny, and wonderfully unpredictable. No two sessions are ever the same, and honestly, that is part of the magic.
Between Caitie and me, we have raised nine children, worked in education, preschool, special education, art, and spent years photographing families along the Emerald Coast. We understand that every child has a different personality, comfort level, and way of experiencing the world.

​We want your child to feel safe, relaxed, and genuinely happy.
When children feel comfortable, real smiles happen naturally. Those are the moments you will treasure years from now.

Children get overwhelmed sometimes. Toddlers melt down. Some children are shy. Some are sensory-sensitive. Some need time to warm up. Some are bursting with energy after sitting in traffic all day on the way to the beach. All of that is completely normal.
Amy has experience teaching special education and is trained as a Registered Behavior Technician, so there honestly is not much we have not seen over the years. We have never viewed a child as “bad.” Usually, there is simply a need that has not yet been communicated — whether that is needing reassurance, space, movement, attention, or just a break from the unfamiliar environment.

Beach sessions are exciting, but they can also be a lot for little ones.
Think about it from a toddler’s perspective for a moment:

• A new place
• Bright sun
• Wind
• Sand touching their feet
• Waves making loud noises
• Adults asking them to sit still and smile

That is a lot happening at once.
Children often look to their parents to decide whether a situation is safe and enjoyable. If you stay calm and relaxed, your child is much more likely to feel secure too.

  Once we are at the session we won't have a lot of time to coax out natural smiles for each shot. So how do we get the little ones to understand the concept of smiling on command when there's nothing in particular to smile about? We have a few tricks but there are things you can do to help as well. ​

​ If your child has never visited the beach before, start introducing the idea beforehand. Show them photos or videos of the beach and talk positively about it.
Some children absolutely love sand. Others immediately decide it is the worst substance ever invented.
If your child is sensitive to textures, it can help to let them play with sand, dirt, or kinetic sand at home beforehand. If you already know your child dislikes sand touching their feet or legs, just let us know. We can work around it with blankets, chairs, towels, or other simple adjustments.

​Children feed off our energy. If you relax and trust the process, they usually will too.
We promise — some of our favorite images have come from sessions parents thought were complete disasters at the time.
Real smiles, cuddles, movement, and personality matter far more than perfect behavior.
And yes… we may still keep Smarties in our camera bag as a backup plan. Professional photographers have tricks too.

Located along a 26-mile stretch of white sandy beaches in Northwest Florida, South Walton encompasses 16 distinct beach neighborhoods, each with its own visual style, amenities and charm. South Walton is home to four state parks, one state forest, and more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails. Renowned for natural scenic beauty, turquoise waters and sugar sand beaches, South Walton was named one of the “Secret Florida Beaches” by Travel + Leisure, but is easily accessible as a drive to destination or by flying to nearby airports Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) or the Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). An upscale, yet casual place to unwind, South Walton is the place to recharge and build lasting memories. Learn more at VisitSouthWalton.com ​

Click READ MORE for more important visitors information 

We are often asked what to do to prepare for the portrait session. While no two sessions will be the same, there are a few things that would be helpful to have on hand.

• While we do shoot towards the end of the day, it can get hot! A handheld fan or cooling cloth can be greatly appreciated when the sweat starts dripping. A water bottle is great not just for drinking but to clean off any items fallen into the sand, such as a pacifier. 
• A folding chair is nice for anyone having trouble standing for long periods of time.
• You can bring a towel or blanket to lay purses, keys, shoes and sunglasses on in an attempt to remain sand free. 
• Speaking of sand, a simple Ziploc bag can keep your car keys and phone protected from sand getting into places it doesn't belong. The most brilliant idea I ever heard was to use a clean diaper to wrap up your valuables in then leave it wadded up on the towel. No one is going to steal a dirty diaper!
• If you have any special items you would like included in the pictures be sure to bring those as well. Framed picture of loved ones, toddlers favorite toy/blanket, etc. 
• You may want to bring a change of clothes or towel to keep in the car for after the session. 
• Baby powder and washcloth to get the sand off without having to wet your feet (and keep car seat dry!)
• Brush, bobby pins, hair ties and hair spray in case of high wind and humidity. We have more tips on how to manage your hair in Florida in the article Beach Hair.

 
CHILDREN TIPS
You can find more in-depth information in this article from the blog.
You can bring baby powder and a cloth or make up brush to wipe any sand that gets on their face. 
I will have Smarties on hand but if there is a snack they like better you can bring that. 
Try not to bring a large toy you wouldn't want in the session. 
A rattle or noise maker can get their attention so they look towards the camera. 

WOMEN TIPS
​You might want a back up hair choice in case it is windy. We have an article on windy day hair you can read HERE.
Add hairspray to everyone, even the men. 
You will want a face spray such as THIS to keep your makeup in place. I do smooth the skin texture and tone as well as remove any sweat drops in editing however it helps keep it natural when I do not have to do as much.
You don't want to add dark eyeliner under the eye, it can create a racoon look and distract from your actual eye. 
If using a make up and hair artist keep in mind if the weather does not cooperate then you may not get your deposit back. 

I have a Pinterest board with tips on posing, make up, hair, what to wear and more, check it out!

“A mini or a full session — which is best for us?”
This is one of the most frequently asked questions that Amy and I receive from those vacationing in the Destin and 30A areas. 
Let's quickly review the main differences that can help you decide. 

 What do you TRULY hope to receive from this session? 
Ask yourself: 

• Do I just need a few great photos? 
• Or do I want a full gallery with variety?

If your goal is one beautiful canvas for the wall, a quick update of the family, or a holiday card, then a mini session is perfect for that. 

If your goal is an album, a wall collage, capturing real moments, or finally getting the whole group together, you will be much happier with a classic or group session. 

We also take into consideration how many people are in your session.
As a general starting place

•   Ten or more people will need a full or group session, depending on the ages. 

Twenty minutes sounds like enough time, until you actually try to:

• Organize everyone
• Adjust poses while accounting for the current weather conditions.
• Make sure everyone is looking their best
• Capturing authentic smiles from children (and the men haha) 

All while racing the setting sun.

We don't want to rush through that. You have planned outfits, bribed the children and husbands; you are placing your investment and trust in this session. You deserve better than a stressful and rushed session. 

Now think about the kids (this part matters more than you think)
If you have children, especially little ones, their age and personality make a big difference. Here is an article I wrote on Helping Your Toddler Prepare for Your Session that delves deeper. 
​
Children under the age of 3 often need more time - not less.  

Most parents assume a shorter session will be easier, but the reality is, it takes little ones time to warm up to the idea that they are in a new location with all new sights and sounds, and are asked to smile at the lady with the camera. It can take some time to warm up to the idea, then relax and have fun to give genuine smiles. 

Amy sums it up best:  “Children under the age of 3 usually require more time. You may feel they will not last long enough for a full session however it is the beginning of the session that is the issue. The majority of young children are beginning to notice their surroundings and will be nervous at a new location and a new strange lady coming into their little bubble only exacerbates their anxiety. You know your child best. Some come in all ready to go and are not shy at all.  Others, as I was when I was a child, need a little warming-up period.”​

With all of this in mind (GOAL, group SIZE, & children’s AGE), remember that: 

• mini session is 20 minutes and comes with 15 images of your choice and an opportunity to purchase the whole gallery.
• classic session is 45 minutes and includes all the edited images from the session.

Every session includes :

• A mix of posed and candid moments. We'll guide you through traditional poses first, then move into more relaxed, natural moments as time allows.
• An online gallery of carefully selected, fully edited images. (You can read about our editing process in THESE articles.)
• An opportunity to purchase high-quality prints, canvases, and albums from the online gallery.

A quick note about beach photography. All of our beach sessions in Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, and along 30A take place just before sunset.

That’s when the light is:

• soft
• flattering
• absolutely beautiful

​But it also means:
 Once the sun goes down, we’re out of time.
There’s no extending a mini session once that light is gone, which is why choosing the right session length is so important. 
​Communication makes everything run smoothly. Before your session, we’ll talk through:

• What matters most to you. I want to make sure you are getting just what you came for.
• What you’re hoping to print, so we're sure to get this one in the perfect conditions to print well.
• Any must-have shots, fun ideas, or special edits.
  
• We always prioritize your most important images first—especially if you’re planning to print something large.

What does a typical session look like?
We follow a natural flow to make sure you get variety:

• Full family (close-up and full body)
• Couples
• Individual children
• Siblings together
• Then back to the full group (by now the sun is lower and we can get different lighting for a variety of your most wanted poses)

This gives you a well-rounded gallery with plenty of options.

After your session
Once your session is complete:

• Images are backed up immediately. 
• Carefully culled and hand-edited
• Delivered in an online gallery

From there, you can:

• Download your images
• Order prints
• Get help deciding what works best for your space

We’re happy to walk you through all of it.

So… which session is right for you?

A mini session is great if:

• You want something quick
• You only need a few images
• Your group is small and flexible

A full session is better if:

• You want variety
• You have younger children
• You want a full storytelling gallery

Still not sure?
Tell us:

• How many people are in your group
• Ages of the kids
• What you’re hoping for

…and we’ll help you choose the option that will actually give you the results you want.

Choosing the best beach photographer for you is always important.  We serve clients in the Seaside, Seagrove Beach, Destin, 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and other surrounding areas. This means we mainly work with people who are not local.  Your vacation time is precious and you need an experienced beach photographer you can trust to make the most of your time here.  Contact us for more information so we can help you plan the perfect beach portrait session for your family. 

Do you think a mini session or full session is right for you?
Let us know what you’re considering and why!  We want to give you all the information you need to make the best choice for your wants and group’s needs.
Amy and I are are delighted to answer anything and everything! We want to help you you choose which session will achieve the best results for your unique group as a whole and each individual involved. Any other questions? Just reach out and ask!  
  Let's chat!
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