Can you believe it's already August? Where has the summer gone! As we get closer to September I get to count down to sessions at one of my favorite spots in Connecticut- Silver Sands State Park. Maybe it's growing up on Long Island, but I have always been a beach girl. But during the summer months beaches are packed!! That's why a few years ago I started photographing my beach sessions right at the beginning of September. We still get warm weather, but with half the amount of people on the beach, and the sun sets a little earlier which is great for families with littles who might not make it until 8:00pm.
What to know about our beach mini sessions:
This year we are offering our Beach mini sessions on Sunday September 1st and Saturday September 7th. These sessions are offered during "golden hour" (aka the time for the best natural sunlight) before sunset.
These mini sessions are 15 minutes long which might seem like a short amount of time, but trust me, we'll be able to get a number of different shots and groupings during that time.
What should I expect during a beach mini session?
Silver Sands is a rocky beach on the Long Island Sound. Something to keep in mind when planning outfits.
Some of it's unique features include a rocky jetty that is perfect for family photos, a boardwalk, some grassy sand dunes that give off such a beachy vibe, a sandy area that overlooks the marsh and tall grass, rocks in the water, and depending on the tides, a nice area to walk out to with rocks behind it.
What to bring to your session:
I always bring along a blanket for families to sit on during their session. So no need to bring one unless you have a certain blanket you'd like to use.
If you have small kids, you might want to bring along a favorite toy (anything that makes noises or lights up is a great way to get their attention if they're having a hard time).
I definitely recommend bringing along a towel incase you want to walk through the water (especially when the tide is out- it's a great option) but also to get the sand off at the end of the session.
**You may want to bring shoes or sandals to wear on the beach- as mentioned it is a rocky beach. There are some spots that are less rocky which we will definitely utilize, but down by the water, there will be an area of rocks you will have to cross to get to the waterline.
What to wear:
Picking outfits for family photos is always hard! I know a few times when I've had to do it for my own family. Some tips when planning family outfits.
Decide on a color scheme: A few years back the fad was to dress the entire family in the exact same outfit (think all white shirts, and jeans). Adding color and variety will make the photos more interesting! It's best to start with one persons outfit and build on from there. Remember, you want to complement colors! Some colors you will want to avoid are bright whites and neon colors.
2. Choose something timeless
Fads come and go, but these photos are going to be adorning your walls for years to come. Try to avoid logos, shirts with large graphics on them, and opt instead for something simpler.
3. Textures and Prints are your friends
While you don't want to have everyone in over the top patterns, you should definitely think about including them. It's best to limit these within a clothing set. Plan to have one person with a distinct pattern and maybe one other person with a subtle pattern in their outfit. Tiny plaid print and complicated patterns don't always photograph the best, a larger plaid print, is definitely the way to go.
Textures can be incorporated throughout your outfits, just like adding color it will give some variety to your photos making them more interesting. 4. Make sure the outfits are comfortable
Trying on outfits ahead of time to make sure you are comfortable is a great idea. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing, it may translate into your photos appearing stiff.
Ready to book your beach session? Click here!
