Photoshoot Ideas at the Beach

So you have decided to do a photoshoot at the beach but not sure where to get ideas for your session? I’m pretty sure this article will answer many of your questions and give you visual examples of creative beach pictures.

Beach photoshoots are one of the people’s favorite locations for many reasons. The fresh ocean breeze, the sound of waves, and the scenic views of the sunset are among the top perks of photographing at the beach.

Many families opt-in to get their family pictures taken on a beautiful beach. High school seniors love taking their senior portraits on the beach. So many engagement and wedding photoshoots take place at a beach too.

Beach photoshoots are a way to take gorgeous portraits in a very relaxed environment. Let’s discuss some cool photoshoot ideas at the beach.

This post may include affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. [054]

Equipment that I use: Cameras: Canon EOS R5; Canon EOS R6
Lenses: Canon RF 85/1.2L; Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L; Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L
Light: Profoto B1 500 | Computer: Apple MacBook Pro | Photo by © Sergey Bidun

PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS FOR SENIOR BEACH PORTRAITS

Are you looking for a unique outdoor location for your senior portrait photoshoot? Pictures on the beach could be an excellent choice for you, and even make your friends jealous.

If you don’t have access to an ocean beach, lake beach is another wonderful option. Basically, all you need is a clean sandy beach with access to the water.

Senior pictures at the beach are more casual and relaxing, allowing you to be your true self. Pick outfits that are in light summer tones and textures that complement the surroundings. Find out more about what to wear for your senior photoshoot from our detailed guide.

SENIOR WALKING SHOTS

Walking shots are excellent posing ideas for high school senior girls. Running or walking on the soft sand or in the water is a wonderful idea for action shots.

One tip – try not to look into the camera while doing the running and walking pictures. Look toward the sunset or another light source, which will give pleasant lighting for the face.

DRAWING ON THE SAND

Senior year is about celebrating a huge milestone of graduating from high school. You can draw your graduation year in sand and take pictures with it. Write your school name or something else of great importance during your senior beach photoshoot.

SILHOUETTE SENIOR PICTURES

During the sunset time, consider taking creative silhouette pictures. When the sunset light is strong and there is a clean ocean backdrop – your silhouette photos will come out phenomenal!

We recommend you to read our post on Senior photoshoot ideas for many more unique and cool suggestions.

PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS FOR FAMILY BEACH PORTRAITS

Have you ever taken family portraits at the beach? If you haven’t, I strongly suggest that you do. Any outdoor photoshoot locations work well for families with children.

Children are energetic, fast, and don’t like sitting still. That’s why a place such as a beach will give them room to run around.

SITTING ON THE BEACH POSING IDEAS

If you want to get a beautiful beach portrait of your whole family to print for your home, sitting poses work really well. Sit down on the beach, with the sun setting down on the horizon behind you. If there are other gorgeous backdrops on the spot, utilize them too.

Try to do the sitting still family pictures first, while the kids are still more cooperative.

GIVE PIGGYBACK RIDES TO THE KIDS

Our next family photoshoot idea on the beach is more of a funny and goofy one. Why not give piggyback rides to the kids right there on the beach? If you are a fun and outgoing family, this idea can be perfect for you.

If you want to do creative action shots with your family, wear outfits that are comfortable for doing such activities. Read more about outfit ideas for family photoshoots in our previous post.

RUNNING THROUGH THE WATER

After you’ve done the traditional family portraits in standing or sitting poses and the cool action shots – it may be time to get wet a little bit. Whenever we photograph families on a beach during summertime, the photoshoots finish off in the water.

If you plan on getting a little wet or even a lot wet – why not capture these fun moments with a camera? Do some running shots while holding hands with your family members. Don’t get fully wet right away, let’s get some water action shots too along the way.

You can find many more family photoshoot ideas at the beach in our detailed guide.

IDEAS FOR CHILDREN BEACH PICTURES

Children’s pictures at the beach are one of the nicest ways to document a milestone in your son or daughter’s life. If you are after light and airy children portraits, then beach photoshoot is your best bet.

To get the best result from such a photo session, make sure you follow a beach theme in the outfits, props, and ideas. Outfits in ocean-like colors work the best for this session. Choose fabrics that are cotton, linen, knits, or light jeans. Read the full list of children outfit ideas for a beach photoshoot here.

COLLECTING SHELLS OR ROCKS ON THE BEACH

It’s not a secret to anyone that kids cannot stand or sit still for a period of time. They get bored fast and may start getting cranky, making faces, or giving fake smiles. This is not what photographers are looking to capture through their photographs.

To get the most authentic emotions and natural smiles, children must be given some action. One awesome child photoshoot idea for beach pictures is rocks or shells collecting. Kids love adventures and exploring new places, and this activity can keep them occupied for quite some time.

RUNNING ON THE BEACH

Another fun idea is to ask children to do a run along the beach. Whether it’s on the sand or through the shallow water, kids will love this activity.

One of the reasons you want to dress your kids in comfortable clothes is so that they can be active, run around and jump throughout the photoshoot.

If you have two kids, have them run around the beach playing tag with each other. These shots might be your favorite ones from the whole photoshoot!

SPLASHING IN THE WATER

After all formal and fun action shots have been taken, why not get into the water for some splashing pictures? I bet the kids will love the idea of splashing in the water on a hot summer afternoon.

When taking pictures in the water, we need to be careful not to let the kids get deep in the water, and have an adult close by at all times. All photos of children are best to be taken at their level, and not from the adult height. This is especially important in action shots, such as when splashing in the water.

Learn more tips and ideas on how to photograph kids outdoors in our post.

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS AT THE BEACH

Pictures at the beach can add a very romantic feel to your engagement photoshoot. An engagement shoot is a time for the couple to document their love story through authentic and romantic pictures.

Let’s talk about some ideas for creative engagement photoshoots at the beach.

ADD LED LIGHTS TO YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOSHOOT

Adding LED lights to your photoshoot is always one of the romantic ideas. Pictures with the lights are best to take after the sunset when it’s starting to get darker.

LED lights give off a soft glow that adds the perfect brightness for romantic portraits. One of the best ways to take pictures with string lights is by the couple standing close together and facing each other while holding the lights close to their faces. This adds that gorgeous glimmer to the portrait.

PICNIC AT THE BEACH IDEA

Consider setting up a picnic at the beach for your engagement photoshoot. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket with some of your favorite snacks, and let the photographer do the rest.

We can do a variety of sitting shots on the blanket with the couple feeding each other snacks and sharing laughs and intimate moments. Later we could ask you to lay down on the cover and take shots from above.

There are quite a few romantic photoshoot ideas with the picnic-theme session.

INCLUDE PROPS IN YOUR ENGAGEMENT PICTURES

Engagement pictures have a variety of use for couples. These pictures can be used for save-the-date cards or invitation cards, guest sign-in albums, or large wall prints. That is why it may be a great idea to include props in your engagement pictures.

Consider adding a banner with your wedding date on it. Another option could be writing the wedding date or your names on the beach sand.

You can also try using smoke grenades during your beach engagement shoot. If the location provides an enormous empty beach area, you can get really creative pictures with color smoke grenades.

WEDDING PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS ON THE BEACH

Beach is a gorgeous setting for a wedding photoshoot. Couples love getting married at famous destination beaches in Hawaii, Cancun Mexico, in the Dominican Republic, and many other locations.

Sunset time is an ideal time for beautiful and romantic wedding portraits at the beach.

SILHOUETTE WEDDING PICTURE IDEAS

Silhouette wedding shots against a colorful sunset sky are often clients’ favorite images. Not always we are blessed with a gorgeous sunset, but if the sky turned out magnificent, you should try the silhouettes.

Silhouette pictures at the beach have a magical feel to them, especially if the shore is very smooth and gives a reflection. We can try using different posing ideas with silhouette shots.

TRASH THE DRESS PICTURES AT THE BEACH

Trash the dress photoshoots are a modern way of taking creative wedding pictures. Often times, couples don’t get a chance to take enough creative and romantic photos of the two of them on the actual wedding day. The best way to compensate for that is by doing a trash the dress photoshoot.

This photo session won’t literally trash your wedding dress, but if you have some very crazy ideas, then the dress might not survive. Just keep that in mind.

Trash the dress pictures at the beach are an excellent way to capture tender portraits of the newlyweds. If you had an indoor wedding ceremony and reception, you might want to consider going on a romantic photoshoot of just the two of you to a beautiful secluded beach.

PICTURES IN THE WAVES

If your wedding beach photoshoot is in the summertime, why not take a dip in the water? I absolutely love photographing couples with huge waves crashing into them.

You won’t need to get deep in the water for some epic pictures with the waves. Just get in knee-deep, and the waves will do the rest. Your photos will turn out super amazing if you are both being intimate with each other and enjoying each other’s company.

PREGNANCY BEACH PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS

Pregnancy photoshoot at the beach can be a fantastic option for expecting parents. Beach setting is perfect for a relaxed maternity photoshoot.

One of the important elements for a lifestyle maternity beach session is to choose proper outfits for everyone. Mommy should wear a flowing maternity dress in light blue, light pink, peach, any pastel color, or white. The dress needs to accentuate you and your beautiful belly.

Let’s dig into some gorgeous maternity photoshoot ideas at the beach.

STANDING POSES IN THE WATER

Whenever photoshoot takes place by the water, we can’t wait to step in it, isn’t it true? Whether it’s an ocean, lake, or a river – the water is so tempting, and especially during a pregnancy beach photoshoot.

Get in the water just a bit, like up to the ankles, making sure your dress is flowing down nicely. Stand sideways to the photographer, so your pregnancy bump is showing well in the picture. Gently hug your belly with two hands while slightly looking down. Now you know one of the most tender poses for maternity photos.

SILHOUETTE MATERNITY PICTURE IDEAS

I love the idea of silhouette photos in pregnancy photoshoots. To get the most striking silhouettes, both partners must be standing sideways to the camera with the sunset behind them.

You can start by holding hands while facing each other, and then leaning for a kiss. Another cool idea is to do a slow walk along the beach. Have the daddy be in the lead, as he holds your hand.

I’m sure you will capture super romantic silhouettes with the help of these simple ideas. Don’t be limited just to these ideas; do something that comes to your mind as well.

INCLUDE BABY PROPS

A lot of new parents like to include personalized baby props during their maternity photoshoot. It’s an excellent idea for you if you are a visual person who loves customized props.

Some of the most commonly used photo props can be a pair of baby shoes or a small stuffed animal. You can also make a personalized banner with a baby name on it, or bring a chalkboard with a special message.

One of the most fun ideas for a beach maternity photoshoot is to draw or write something on the sand. Be creative, as these are the images you will treasure more and more with each year.

DOG PHOTOGRAPHY IDEAS ON THE BEACH

Are you a dog owner who’s looking for dog photography ideas on the beach? We will share some of the picture ideas that have been working well for us.

FAMILY PICTURES WITH THE DOG

Many families love including their dogs in family photoshoots, and I’m always for this idea. Often times, our pets are much more than just furry friends; they are part of the family.

Bring your dog to your family session, and include it in some of the group shots. You will never regret including your family dog in this family beach photoshoot.

PET PORTRAITS AT THE BEACH

Do you have a beautiful and timeless portrait of your pet? You don’t necessarily have to take your dog into a professional photo studio. In fact, that setting may even frighten your pet.

Outdoor photoshoots are more dog-friendly, if I may say. When dogs are in an environment that they feel comfortable and safe in, they will behave in a much more natural way. Get an up-close portrait of your dog, with all the details of its face clearly captured.

DOG FETCHING ON THE BEACH

We all know how hard it is to get a still shot of a dog, and we know not to expect that from them. Instead, think of the games and activities your dog likes to play. If there is a cool trick your dog knows, make sure to capture that on the camera as well.

For some super fun action shots, try playing fetch with your dog. This way, you can even get your dog a bit in the water, for more creative shots. If your dog likes water, it won’t mind getting some water splashing shots.

Whenever we photograph pets, we always encourage their owners to bring some snacks and treats for them. Bringing dogs’ favorite treats will help to have a more successful and enjoyable photoshoot.

For more ideas and tips on how to photograph your pets, read our detailed guide.

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY IDEAS AT THE BEACH

Many nature photographers prefer to shoot their landscapes at the beach. Photographing at the beach is not only offering you gorgeous sceneries but is also very relaxing for body and soul.

In landscape photography, it’s important to know how to composition and frame the shot properly. Leading lines play an important role in guiding the viewer’s eyes to the main subject of the landscape photo.

Rule of thirds is another compositional technique used in landscape photography. This technique shows how to frame the photo, so the point of interest is at the optimal location for the viewer.

LANDSCAPE PICTURES WITH ATTENTION ON THE SKY

If you are out taking landscape pictures at sunset and the sky is very colorful – consider highlighting the sky in your photograph. Shoot in horizontal mode and cut as much of the ground as possible.

We want the focus and attention to be on the sky, so that’s what the viewer must see the most of. I suppose that you are using a tripod and polarizing & graduated neutral-density filters for your camera. Using these filters will significantly improve your landscape photography.

LONG EXPOSURE LANDSCAPE PHOTOS AT THE BEACH

Seascape photos look especially charming taken with long exposure shutter speed. Wave movement will be very smooth and have a cream-effect in your beach landscapes. The skies will also have a unique look in long exposure photography.

Long exposure photos can’t be achieved without a sturdy camera tripod to eliminate any possible movement. Find out how to improve your landscape photography here.

INCLUDE FOREGROUND POINT OF INTEREST

In landscape photography, it’s important not to rush but instead plan out each shot. You must spend some time examining the surroundings and pre-planning the nature shots that you want to capture.

At times, to add more interest to the composition of your beach landscape photo – all you need to do is include a foreground point of interest. A foreground object can be a rock in the water, a log, or a huge seashell. After you determine your foreground object, use a Rule of Thirds composition technique to frame your shot.

CONCLUSION

We’ve summarized here many beach photoshoot ideas for different genres of photography. While people photography and landscape photography approach is very different, some factors are the same.

Beach photoshoot locations are one of the people’s all-time favorite spots for authentic portraits. Use the ideas discussed above to produce creative photos at the beach each time.

I hope you’ve discovered new ideas and tips that will help you take cool pictures on the beach, even on your smartphone.

IF YOU FOUND THIS POST HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE PLEASE SHARE IN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

Photographer: Sergey Bidun

Written by Maria Bidun

Bidun Studio Photography is based in Sacramento, California.

Photoshoot Ideas at the Beach