A Guide to Family Beach Sessions
When is the best time to book?
The earlier the better. My Summer sunset spots book out quickly. It is ideal to book a date as soon as booking opens for the 2024 season, which is usually around late February to early March. The best month to schedule your family photo session is late May to September. Although most people prefer June to August dates, I still schedule portrait sessions throughout the month of September. In fact, September is my favorite month for beach family photos here in Long Beach, NY because the beaches are empty, the weather is milder, sunset is earlier and sunsets tend to be epic.
While booking has already begun for my 2024 season, but you still have time to book a date. You can do so at the following link:
What days and what time do you take beach sessions?
It is best to schedule beach sessions Monday through Thursday evenings right before sunset. If you need a weekend date, Sunday is ideal. I only schedule Sunday sessions at select beaches that tend to have fewer crowds. Sunset sessions usually start about 45 minutes before the sun sets. The time of sunset changes daily. When you book or inquire I can tell you the specific time for that day. If it is cloudy on the day of your session, we will adjust the start time earlier to accomodate the light. If sunset is too late for you, I can also schedule you at sunrise. Sunrise sessions typically start about 10-15 minutes before the sun comes up that day. Some families with young children find this time of day better. These times are based on the ideal lighting for beach session and I only schedule beach sessions at these times. I can recommend other locations if you want or need an earlier evening session.
You can see the dates and time I have available at the following link:
Why only Sunrise and Sunset, and why only Monday through Thursday?
Sunset and sunrise are the only time of day at which I schedule beach sessions. All of the family beach photos shown on my portfolio were scheduled at this time of day. You may be asking why I onlt schedule at those particular times. Well, I do so for the following reasons:
Soft and gorgeous ethereal light.
The light is soft and golden at this time of day producing a magical effect on your images. Furthermore, because the light is soft and even, you won’t be squinting through your images and there will not be ay harsh shadows on your faces.
Stunning skies
If you want pink, blue, orange and purple skies, you have to schedule your session during golden hour. Golden hour is the hour before sunset or the hour right after sunrise. While I can’t guarantee what the sky will look like on the day of your session, we have more of a chance of capturing a soft and pastel sky at sunset/sunrise.
The weather is more comfortable
Let’s face it, Summer days are hot and humid here on Long Island. The temperature drastically cools down at the beach at sunset and sunrise. This means you will not be uncomfortable and sweating in your pictures.
Open Beaches
The beaches on Long Island are crowded all Summer long. They tend to draw less of a crowd on weekday evenings in the Summer. During any given weekday, the beaches will be filled with sunbathers and families, which is the last thing you want in the background of your photos. Crowds will disperse by sunset time on weeknights. While there may be a few people enjoying the cool breeze of the ocean and admiring the sunset, there will be far less people than that which would be on a beach mid day. If we schedule your session between Monday through Thursday, there will be far less people at sunset as well.
What do you recommend for children?
This all depends on the child. I always tell my clients that if you want your kids to be in a good mood, then they need to be fed, napped and well rested prior to a session. This is especially important for young children. This means if we have a session scheduled at sunset, you should take it easy with your kids during the day. This means you should avoid going to the beach or pool on a day of the session or do anything that will exhaust them and make them cranky. Additionally, you want to make sure they get a good solid nap that day and give them a meal before the session. Remember, sunset is late in the Summer; in June it can be as late as 8:30pm. If you feel your children will not do well late at night, then I am happy to switch your session to sunrise. This time of day tends to work best for little ones under three. It does take some strategic planning, but I am always happy to accomodate you and do what is best for your family. Ultimately, you know your children best.
What do you recommend for extended families?
I usually schedule extended family sessions on the weekend because that tends to be the easiest with large groups. My weekends are always the first dates to book, so book in advance if your family requires a weekend date. Again, sunset will be the best time for this, but I have accommodated extended families for sunrise sessions too. It all depends on the dynamic of your family.
What do we wear?
Don’t stress about this. I send over a wardrobe guide and I also will send a custom wardrobe board if you request one. While what you choose to wear should represent you as a family, there are some do’s and dont’s you should consider. For example, some colors simply do not work with my editing style or the beach location, which is why I include a list of colors that work and do not work with beach sessions. All of that info will be in the wardrobe guide that I send out to you at booking. I also have a client closet replete with beautiful women’s dresses that are available to you on loan. Because I know how important wardrobe is to the overall look of your images, there is no additional cost for these styling services.
It is to too late to book your Summer family beach session. Head to the following link to see the dates available or to book your spot. You can also contact me.