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I just finished teaching a Family Beach Photography photo session for The Palm Beach Photographic Center FotoFusion 2014. It was a wonderful opportunity to share with my students much of the information I have gleaned from thousands of hours photographing families at the beach.

Family Beach Photography

I thought about titling this blog: All Dressed Up With No Place To Go,  What Can Go Wrong, Will or Three Strikes And You Are Out.. At the location secured three weeks before the class, we had permission to photograph but had to pay for parking. It turned out the day of, we received free parking passes but were not allowed to photograph. My two families with their young children were incredibly patient as we moved to a second location. Since we were not going to be able to photograph at the beach, I figured we could create the same type of portraits, with similar lighting techniques and students could learn from the experience.

Family Beach Photography

After going through two very useful lighting setups, again we were asked to leave the location. The gate was going to be locked and we needed to be on the other side of it. No worries, next to that site was a place I thought I could finish up with more candid family photographs and give the students the final part of the workshop. Mom and Dad are in position, the background is good, the light is perfect. About to shoot, once again we are asked to leave. No worries. I resorted to begging. It worked with the promise of being quiet.

Family Beach Photography

The students appreciated the experience. Lesson learned, you can make plans but when reality takes over, go with the flow and do the best you can!!
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 “A baby has a special way of adding joy in every single day”

-Unknown

Being a baby photographer for many years, I know what it takes to create a successful baby portrait session. Photographing newborns and infants requires careful preparation and lots of patience. Follow the seven tips listed below for your upcoming baby portrait session.

Seven tips for baby photography

1. CLOTHING: Keep it simple. Choose clothing in soft colors like pastels. Lighter is better than darker. Avoid stripes, patterns and logos. Make sure the clothing fits properly. Too large a size and the baby disappears, hands and feet are hidden by folds of clothing. In case of accidents, have three to four outfits to choose from. We may only use one or two. it is a good idea to have bloomers to cover the diaper.

2. LOCATION: If the temperature is warm enough, it may be possible to work outside if the light is soft or somewhat shaded. Avoid bright sunlight; young children will keep their eyes closed. Indoors, look for the rooms that have the most light. Sometimes it’s the master bedroom or a living room. Remove any clutter from these areas in advance.

3. BLANKETS: Have available any afghans, quilts, blankets, baby wraps and large scarfs. For photographs without clothes, I like to cover the private areas and will use an edge of a quilt, or baby wrap.

4. BABY WIPES, BURP CLOTHS: These come in very handy!

5. SOUNDS AND SONGS: Babies respond to touch and sounds. If you have any music pillows, rattles, songs you sing, have them ready and be prepared to be silly.

6. PROPS: Was your child given a special stuffed animal, heirloom baby rattle, maybe a hat or scarf? Have those nearby to include in a few photographs.

7. PARENTAL PARTICIPATION: You are an important part of your child’s first session so be prepared to be in some of the photographs. Clothing doesn’t have to be identical but similar tonality is helpful. Moms- wear something that makes you feel good, Dad’s – the plain colored shirts work better than stripes or plaids.

Seven tips for baby photography

Most of all, relax, have fun and enjoy your baby!!

 

 
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In my next life I would like to be a photographer AND a weather God. If I had it my way, sunny and clear blue-sky days would happen all summer long between 5 and 8 pm. For now, I just have to do the best with what I am given. So far that’s searching at least three weather channels every few hours, utilizing the Ultimate Weather App on my Ipad, and visiting the beaches I plan on shooting at, if necessary, to come up with the optimum start time for portrait sessions.

That being said, beautiful images can be captured at almost any time of the day even with less than desirable weather conditions. Below you’ll find portraits illustrating what can happen in variety of light settings.

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Click here to find out what time of day is the best for beach photography.