Most color pallets generally work well on the beach. The white sand, the oat colored sea dunes, and the beautiful blue water offer a neutral backdrop so as long as you are choosing a soft color pallet, it almost always works.
We even suggest patterns occasionally to switch it up. A good rule of thumb is to coordinate even when you can’t match.
Most often people choose linens colored in white or tan to keep it simple and to allow their features to pop in the photos. It’s the most traditional and it never gets old.
With all that being said there are some colors to avoid:
Bright pink or fuchsia. That can sometimes apply to coral, Orange and other colors within that family. They usually do not do well with skin tones (especially when tourists are on vacation and they get a tad bit sunburn) they are also hard to edit. Manipulation of this color usually doesn’t turn out well.
Loud colors! Neon anything, bold patterns that have neon green, highlighter yellow or anything of that nature do not work well
Avoid athletic logos. We don’t think you want to look back at that sort of thing for years to come. Athletic clothes in general are usually not recommended.
What do you think about Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots” Festival replacing Hangout Fest?
If you’re on the fence about going to the festival, let’s talk about the pros and cons 👇🏼
First of all, I think we can all agree that Country music is definitely having its moment! We kind of think you might as well embrace it and let’s face it, this lineup is actually good. Plus, it’s more than just Country! The lineup features plenty of “non-Country” artists.
If you’re not a Country music fan and you are thinking about sitting this one out, maybe we can help sway you.
Here’s what we would do if we were coming in town for this festival.
Gulf Shores is a small beach town on an island along the Gulf Coast of Alabama just a few minutes west of the Florida state line. Some people don’t even know about it! We think that’s part of it’s charm 😉
1. Start your morning at foam coffee! It’s hands down the best coffee on the island. The shop has the cutest vibes. They are usually located inside the festival as well but you don’t want to miss their super instagramable shop!
2. Grab a breakfast biscuit or donuts at Parlor Doughnuts. This place may be a chain but it’s worth the hype!
3. This may sound crazy, but try and squeeze in a Sunrise walk on the beach. It’s totally worth it!
Most importantly, if you are planning to attend the Sand In My Boots Festival in May, we hope you’ll book a beach photo session with us while you’re here, and we hope you enjoy your time on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama!
There are so many things to love about St. Augustine, Florida!
Just south of Jacksonville, St. Augustine sits on the east coast of Florida. It claims to be the first settlement in America, so as you can imagine, it is rich in history! From the stunning architecture downtown to the beautiful beaches, we think St. Augustine is one of the most special beach towns that we do business in and It’s not hard to see why.
Here’s how we think you should spend 72 hours in St. Augustine
BREAKFAST
If you only have a couple of mornings for breakfast in St. Augustine, you have to go to SUNDAY!
They have a small menu and everything on it is worth trying! You can also get a French press coffee for two and fresh squeezed orange juice.
This restaurant is very involved in the community. It’s an old home that’s been renovated so it’s super cozy with beautiful lighting. Not to mention the aesthetic is on point! local artist, Jenna Alexander has a studio in the back and you can also purchase her artwork inside of Sunday.
Ragga Surf Cafe
You definitely want to visit this Schooley that’s positioned in the perfect quiet beach spot called Marineland. They have excellent coffee and the homemade pop tarts are to die for! We would highly recommend getting to this place for a sunrise. You can’t beat the view! Check out their Instagram here.
BEACHES
If you plan to spend the day on the beach, head south about a mile past Ragga and enjoy the local coquina. Across the street, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is also worth exploring, especially if you’d like a break from the sunshine. It’s loaded with history and beautiful gardens right along the Matanzas River.
We’d pretty much recommend any spot along A1A for a beach day. Don’t forget you can drive on the beach in St. Augustine. You’ll just want to make sure you’re checking in and paying any fees involved. You’ll see booths along the beach area for information.
Another thing to love about St. Augustine beaches is that they are pet friendly. No need to leave your four legged family members at home.
This couple lives and breathes St. Augustine! I guess someone would even consider Gabe Kling a local celebrity in the surf world. Sorry Gabe, we aren’t trying to embarrass you.
Their villas are located right across the street from the beach and are in walking distance from everything you need. It’s also a convenient drive to the St. Augustine lighthouse, and over the bridge of Lyons for a night downtown.
BEACH PHOTOS
Of course, a trip to St. Augustine wouldn’t be complete without a sunrise or sunset beach photography session with us! Visit this page to book with us.
If you’re visiting St. Augustine, Florida, you’ll want to get up early and see the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Our co-owner April Creighton has found some of the best places to do this! So here’s April’s list of the 3 best places to see a sunrise in the St. Augustine area.
The Rocks At Washington Oaks State Park, Palm Coast
This beach across from Washington Oaks State Park has a very different look than most beaches in Florida. This is due to the Coquina rocks, a soft rock made of ancient marine reefs and limestone. However, you may or may not see the rocks due to the weather and tide. At times, you may just see a few bumps in the sand. At other times, the coquina rocks form caves, nooks and crannies in the sand.
Bonus: Just 3 minutes north of the rocks in Marineland, you’ll find Ragga Surf Cafe, a converted school bus serving coffee and food!
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The iconic Saint Augustine Lighthouse is a must see! It sits in a historic neighborhood that’s loaded with quaint little cottages that showcase what Florida used to look like long ago.
Just a short walk or drive east of the lighthouse is Anastasia Island State Park. This is number 2 on our list of places to catch a sunrise. Be sure to grab a smoothie at Juicy and pack a bag for the day. The park is large enough to stretch out and has clean bathrooms. It does not offer free parking so make sure you get your pass early on in your trip!
Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is located along A1A on Anastasia Island, just south of St. Augustine, The community gets its name from the natural shape of the coastline. Minimal vehicle traffic is allowed on Crescent Beach. There is a fee for vehicle access between March 1 and September 30. Horseback riding is also allowed at certain times and subject to an access fee.
Alex contacted us to book a family session in Gulf Shores, but there was a twist! Her sister’s boyfriend was planning to propose on the beach during their session. As you’ll see from the photos, the family was prepared for the big event by having a big sign that said “Madelyn Will You Marry Me?”
Congratulations to the newly engaged couple and thank you Alex for choosing
When the Lynch family got together for a family reunion in the Sunshine State, they contacted us for family photography on Honeymoon Island. Their group consisted of 4 couples and 5 children ranging in age from 6 months to 7 years old.
Honeymoon Island is north of Clearwater on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The island features a variety of birds, a couple of small cafes, kayak and paddle board rental, and a state park.
Family photography at St. Pete Beach with the Garrett family. Kellie said it had been a long time since they’ve had family pictures made with their two adult sons. Since they were getting together at Pass-A-Grille (the southernmost end of St. Pete Beach) to celebrate their oldest son’s birthday, this was the perfect opportunity.
There was a big surprise in store for the birthday boy. He did not know that his younger brother was going to be there! Although the Garretts only spent a couple of days together in Florida, their family photos on the beach will provide them with lifetime memories of their time spent at Pass-A-Grille!
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Fall beach photography in Gulf Shores with the Guffey family. We were so happy to see this family for the second year in a row. When they visited us in October of 2022, Megan was pregnant with Daisy. This year, Daisy was a part of the family’s beach photos along with mom, dad, and her 5 siblings.
The Knapp family scheduled a session with us for family photography and senior portraits in Destin. We’re here for any occasion! Whether it’s family photos on the beach, an engagement, proposal, anniversary, or senior portraits, let us capture it for you.
Family photography at Martinique On The Gulf on the Fort Morgan Peninsula along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. This beautiful resort offers luxury condos, cozy cottages, and rental homes along 600 feet of sugar-white sand beaches. It’s away from the crowds, but still close to Gulf Shores, so it’s the perfect peaceful retreat on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
This family needed to update their photos because they have added a grandson and daughter-in-law since their last vacation.
A Panama City Beach family photography session at St. Andrews State Park. Florida has a lot of beautiful state parks, but this one is one of our favorites! When you enter the park, you’ll see plenty of deer and other wildlife as you’re driving to the beach. Once you arrive at the beach, there’s plenty of space to have your own private beachfront area away from everyone else.
The Hershbergers contacted us to get updated family beach photos in Gulf Shores. How long has it been since you got the whole family together for photos? If you’re planning a vacation to Gulf Shores or any of the other beach communities we serve, we hope you’ll contact us get those amazing beach photos at sunrise or sunset. We make your beach photography session a fun experience that you’ll remember forever!
The Farley family spent their Fall Break vacationing on the Alabama Gulf Coast and scheduled us for extended family photography in Gulf Shores. Their group consisted of 11 people, including a couple of 2 year-old cousins.
If you are looking for a photographer for your extended family vacation, we would love to be your beach photographer! To book your session with one of our experienced, fun photograph
The Keane family spent their fall break vacationing along the beaches of 30A in the Florida Panhandle. The grandparents along with their 6 kids, 2 in-laws, and 2 grandkids took advantage of the cooler temperatures and less-crowded beaches of 30A by visiting in early October. Honestly, we feel that fall is the best time to visit the beaches!
Thank you, Keane family, for choosing us for your extended family photography on 30A.
Another Outer Banks family photography session from photographer Jessi. This family rented a vacation home in the Four Seasons community of Duck, North Carolina.
If you’re planning a family vacation to Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, or any of the other beautiful towns along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we’d love to be your beach photographer!
This was our second time photographing the Case family and we were so happy to see them again during their beach vacation in Pensacola Beach, Florida! They are so photogenic and their three children are so adorable! We loved everything about this session, from the outfits to the way the family enjoyed the beach without “posing” for their photos. This is our favorite kind of session because it just shows a family having fun and enjoying their time together on vacation.
Thank you for choosing us for your Pensacola Beach vacation photography!
Since this family had an 11-month old, they chose to have their Hilton Head family photography session in the grassy, tree-lined areas around the Palmetto Dunes Resort community.
If you’re looking for a unique vacation experience, look no further than the Outer Banks of North Carolina!
Here are a few reasons why we love the Outer Banks…
WILD HORSES
Take a safari tour to see the wild horses in Corolla. These mustangs are descendants of the horses brought here by the Spanish more than 500 years ago.
BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
We think it’s one of the most beautiful lighthouses in America. The Bodie Island Lighthouse stands 156 feet tall.
DUCK TOWN PARK BOARDWALK
This mile-long boardwalk is lined with shops and restaurants.
CAMPING ON THE OCEAN
Cape Hatteras National Seashore features four campgrounds, plus there are several other RV parks in the area offering oceanfront camping.
WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Air travel began in 1903 when the Wright Brothers flew their airplane over the Outer Banks for 12 seconds. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills.
HORSEBACK RIDING ON THE BEACH
Ride a horse through the forest of Frisco and along the beach. Rides last about 2 hours.
PLENTY OF FREE PARKING AND BEACH ACCESS LOCATIONS
There are plenty of free parking lots all along the beaches of the Outer Banks. Just pick one, park, and go enjoy the beach!
These are just a few of the reasons why we love the Outer Banks. It’s a beautiful place for beach photos, so we hope you’ll contact us to book a session when you visit the area! Here are a few pictures from one of our recent family sessions.
If you are looking into booking a stay on the beautiful island that is Gulf Shores, Alabama, we have lot’s of tips for your week. Let’s hop right into it, with some of our top picks!
Of course we’ll start with some of the restaurants that should be on your list. There is so many to choose from, and this is just a few. For breakfast make a stop at Foam Coffee to fulfill your latte, and breakfast needs. Even equipped with a grab n go cooler, you can make a stop and then make your way to the water. When lunch time come around, there is a new spot right on the water, and we recommend the Mango Tuna Tacos, this will be found at “Coastal” a new restaurant concept that was brought to the Gulf Coast. Lastly for your late night dinner stop, you and the family should try out Cobalt, with menu choices for every age, and liking! (we recommend a reservation).
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Now to kind of state the obvious here, in order to make a perfect week in Gulf Shores, you should definitely book a session with Shore Shooters. You and your crew are all together, so let’s update those family photos for you guys. We can make it even easier by clicking right here to book!
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A week in Gulf Shores wouldn’t be made with out trying some of the local breweries and bars! Check out the Big Beach Brewing Company, or if you’re looking for some hectic fun, head down to FloraBama, right on the Alabama, Pensacola Line. This will give the adults that fun, and break from the kiddos they are looking for, time permitting 😉
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Lastly, of course – Just HAVE FUN!! There is so many hidden gems along the coast for you to explore. Spend lot’s of time on the water, eat lot’s of good food, and wear sunscreen. You and your family will have the greatest time here in Gulf Shores, and oh book your session with Shore Shooters here!
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You and the fam are planning the perfect vacation to the Florida area. Let us give you a little insight on the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area.. If you happen to be heading towards the infamous Disney World, we recommend hopping on I4, to make your way towards Clearwater. Beautiful beaches, along the coast, restaurants, and downtown strips will make your trip all worthwhile
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The Clearwater area has been a big hot spot for many beach “go-ers”since the early 50’s. Florida is currently one of the largest growing states in the U.S, and there is a reason for that. The beautiful coastlines with give you experiences, and memories unlike many others.
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The photos we have attached to this are from one of our recent retreats! We took some of the crew to Fort De Soto and shot along the coast – let’s just say it did not disappoint. If you want photos much like these were going to add in a little like for you to click right.. here . This is the perfect addition to any family getaway – from 1 to 20+ people, we’ll do it all. 😉
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Clearwater is about 30 minutes from the St. Petersburg are. Here you are going to find the most beautiful downtown strips, with yummy restaurants, coffee shops, disco bars, and Art depots. Theres is something each member of the family is going to love. We highly recommend taking a stop in this area!
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If you’re looking for more activities for the kiddos, check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. If you know the movie “Dolphin Tale” this is the past home of Winter the Dolphin. You can watch some fun dolphin shows plus experience some of the other exhibits.
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Lastly, we can express this much more!! The coastline in Clearwater, is simply unmatched. You get the beach experience without being drowned in hotels, and resorts. You can easily find the perfect spot for you and the family. Not to mention the crystal waters…
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Let us know if you decide to check out the area! You need to fill us in on your stay.. we’re sure all good things! We look forward to you’re responses!
