Most families arrive at a beach photo session planning to stay dry. Most of them end up in the water anyway. This is not an accident. There is something about the ocean that changes the energy of a session completely (for kids especially) and the resulting photos tend to be the ones families love most. Here’s why getting in the water is worth considering, and what it actually looks like when families do.
Memories of Water
As a child, I remember perching on my dad’s shoulders in the pool, shivering in anticipation as he counted down and launched me into the deep end. Come to think of it, the only memories I have of my dad playing with us kids involved water – the neighborhood pool, the lake, or rare trips to the ocean.
Water is indelibly linked to my memories of childhood. Maybe that’s why I push my clients to consider getting in the water themselves.
If I’m honest with myself, however, I would be hard pressed to put on a swimsuit for my own family photoshoot. Hypocritical, I know. So I sat down to think about it. Is it really worthwhile to get in the water for a family beach photoshoot?
Top 3 Reasons You Should Jump in the Water for Your Family Beach Photoshoot
3. Don’t fight it, go with the flow
When I was first starting out as a family photographer, I noticed that most kids were drawn to the water. Parents pleaded and bargained with their kids to stay dry. Putting them next to a super fun toy and telling them not to touch it was just not working. The kids were unhappy, and parents were stressed, so I decided to embrace the water.
At first, I encouraged families to splash along the shore. Little toes would tentatively explore the frothy remnants of waves. Emboldened, they would venture further. Faces would light up with each crashing wave and before you knew it, they were all in.
2. The Abstract Beauty of Water
With camera in hand, I would frantically try to capture all the water fun, but I could never get quite close enough. Even as I waded through thigh-high water hoping a rogue wave wouldn’t take both me and my camera down, I wasn’t close enough. I wanted to be in the action with them, not trying to keep my camera dry from afar.
I made the plunge and invested in a water housing for my camera. With my camera snug and dry inside this beast of a contraption, I could be in the action.
The more I played and experimented, the more I fell in love with water itself. The way the light rays penetrate through the surface like buckshot and creates a dappled pattern on the skin. The effects were beautiful and surprising.
I especially fell in love with over-under water portraits. The exact timing the shutter clicks can reveal or hide what lies beneath in a delightfully unexpected way.
1. Pure Joy
My beach photo session are part directed lifestyle and part documentary. I quickly evaluate personalities and push and pull to get what is real from each individual. Some kids are shy or reserved and although I am able elicit real smiles, I am no match for water.
I have seen water play transform a reserved child whom I could only coax a giggle into one who played in the waves with joy and wild abandon.
If you have a child who loves the water, let them play. Even better, be brave and join them in the water. You can catch waves together, toss them in the air, or have a water fight. You’ll find that water can break down your own walls, so together you can play like kids.
Want to See More Playful, Water-loving Families?
If you’re curious what it looks like when a session evolves into a full water adventure, you can see a few examples here, here, and here. And if it looks like something your family would be into, here’s where to start.
But, but, but … I don’t want to be photographed in a swimsuit. I hear you and you don’t need to put on a swimsuit. This post covers tips on what to wear so you can feel comfortable in the water during your family beach photoshoot.
Getting in the Water FAQs
A: It depends on the beach and the conditions. Hawaii’s beaches vary a lot. Some have calm, shallow water that works well for any age, others have shore break that isn’t suitable for young children or non-swimmers. We choose locations based on your family’s ages and comfort level and read the conditions on the day. If the kids can’t swim confidently, we stay in the shallows or on shore.
A: For most sessions play naturally leads to the water about halfway through. Some families, however, show up in swimsuits ready to jump in. It depends on the experience and photos you want.
A: Towels, a change of clothes for the kids and water. That’s really it. The less you’re managing on the beach, the more you can enjoy the morning. Plus I have water toys I can bring along.
A: Yes. I shoot with a water housing which means my camera goes where you go. I can be in the action rather than standing on the shore trying to get close enough, which makes a significant difference in what the photos look like.
A: No. Most families just feel it out on the day. Come prepared and if the energy is there and the kids are gravitating toward the water, we go with it.
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