The Williams Family - A Spring Break Mini Session

Caitie Beth Nelson

30A and Destin Photographer

We get a little relaxed as beach photographers from the end of December until the middle of March.  While we may have some odd photography jobs here and there, the beach is chilly and windy, and the Destin and 30A vacationers usually aren't too interested in getting some portraits on the beach.

The sun is in a lovely place on the horizon as it is setting and the lighting is wonderful, but we just don't have a whole bunch of bookings.  So, during this time, we concentrate on our teaching jobs almost 100% and take an online course or two to stay up to speed on the latest and greatest in the world of photography.  As teachers, Amy and I both know there's no end to learning, and we love learning as much as we love teaching.  

We also write blog posts, work on our marketing, and keep up with Instagram, pinterest and Facebook.  Who doesn't love being cozy with some coffee and scanning instagram or Pinterest?  I know it's a favorite pastime for me!  I enjoy sharing past sessions, thoughts, and funnies, and interacting with future and past clients. It's a great way for small businesses and clients to get to know each other!  Instagram is how quite a few of our clients find us.  It's one of my favorite places to reach clients because I know they're contacting us for our style and personalities.  As I've said in previous blog posts, photography clients have got to focus on style above anything else when hiring a photographer.  It feels so good going into a portrait session knowing the client wants our warm, vibrant, playful and colorful style instead of the first available person with a camera.  We want our clients to absolutely love the products they receive.  

Stephanie found me on instagram.  As a doting mother of 3, she values keepsake portraits.  It was time for more family portraits and the beaches of 30A were the perfect place to host a spring break session for this Georgia family.

Each and every sunset over the gulf is amazing, and my evening with the Williams family was no different.  Our session took place at Grayton Beach State Park off of the iconic highway 30a.  Grayton Beach is next to Seaside, Florida, where many of my clients vacation.  It's nearby to most 30a locations, has restrooms, and gorgeous sand dunes to enjoy or use as a backdrop. In the last few portraits we walked up closer to the dunes not just for a change of scenery, but so we could control hair!  The wind started blowing a little more towards the end and gave us some crazy fly-aways to deal with. I certainly don't mind a bit of editing to get the hair out of the way!  However, sometimes we have to work around the wind because it can be too much for even the top photoshop guru to fix.

After our little break between busy seasons it was nice to finally get out and get creative once again.  Thank you, Williams family, for a fun and easy going session!  I'm so glad we met up!  

Although being a beach photographer is so FUN and AMAZING it is something Amy and I have worked very hard at learning and perfecting!  Do your homework when choosing a beach portrait photographer. Call him or her.  Ask questions!  Get a feel of their attitude and professionalism.  The clients we serve are generally in the Destin, 30A, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, Inlet Beach, Seagrove Beach and Grayton Beach areas which means we serve a lot of out-of-towners.  Your time is precious, so don't just hire any beach photographer for your portrait session!  If Amy and I are both booked we always refer our clients to other trusted local professional photographers.  Contact us for availability or other information.  We're happy to help!

​With love,

​Caitie